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ce  five  minutes  before  the  procession  moves. 

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will  move  through  the  following  streets  :  Harnden, 

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1  be  delivered  at  that  time. 
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HARLEY  PRENTISS,  Chief  Marshal. 

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The  Second  Division  \v 

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250 


th 


1894 


Anniversary  of  the  Incorporation 


—OK 


.  .  REDDING  .  . 


BY  TUB  TOWNS  OK 


READING, 
WAKEFIKLD, 

AND 

NORTH  READING. 


BANQUET, 

**^s 


AT    READING, 

.    .    May  29,  at  5.30  P.  M 


Oon  arc  tocleomt,  genllcmtn  !     (Come,  musicians,  plan. 

ROMEO  AND  JULIET. 


Program  m 


INVOCATION 


Be  present  at  our  table,    Lord ; 
Be  here  and  everywhere  adored  ; 
These  mercies  bless,  and  grant  that  we 
May  feast  in   Paradise  with  Thee. 

Tune :    Old  Hundred. 

(An  old  English  grace.     All  are  invited  to  join.) 


.    Rev.   F.   S.   ADAMS 


qoo&  digestion  to  nou  all;  anb  onct  more 
sootoer  a  torlromc  on  you,  J'Sltlromr  all. 

HRNKV  VIII. 


4)m  Itt  us  bvcatbr. 

THE  TAMING  OF  THE  SHREW. 

SELECTION    .         .  .....        QUARTETTE 

ADDRESS       .  WALTER  S.   PARKER,  President  of  the  evening 

SELECTION    ........        QUARTETTE 

TOASTS  AND  RESPONSES,  in  behalf  of    the  President  of   the 
United  States  and  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

His  Excellency,  the  Governor,  FREDERICK  T.  GREENHALGE 
Hon.  CARROLL  I).  WRIGHT,  U.  S.  Com.  of  Labor 


SELECTION    ..... 
••  Massachusetts  in  the   Past  " 


QUARTETTE 
Ex-Gov.  A.  H.  RICE 


"The  Legislature" 

SELECTION    . 

"  Our  Educators  " 


[  Hon.  WM.  M.  BUTLER,  Pres.  of  the  Senate 
Hon.  CHARLES  F.  BROWN 
.  SOLON  BANCROFT,  Esq. 


f  "The  Press" 
!  "The  School" 

SELECTION    ..... 
"  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  "  . 
"  Sons  of  Veterans  "    . 
SELECTION    ..... 

"  Our  Friends  and  Neighbors  "  j 
"Our  Industries" 


"  Ve  Ancient  Town"   . 


ORCHESTRA 

.   STEPHEN  O'MEARA 
Rev.  A.  E.  WINSHIP 

QUARTETTE 

Capt.  JOHN  G.  B.  ADAMS 

J.  B.   MACCABE 

ORCHESTRA 

.     O.  V.  WATERMAN 
.      GEO.  A.  MARDEN 

Hon.  H.  G.  WADLIN 
FRED  W.  HATCH 


!    ji  foas  tuber  so  bctbumpib  bith  tooibs 
first  callcb  mn  brother's  fatber  bat). 

KING  JOHN. 


SELECTION    . 


QUARTETTE 


dbc  car,  touch,  Mitrll  —  all  plcascb  from  tbe  table  rise. 

3M  once,  goob  nio^t :  — 
Stanb  not  upon  tbt  orftcr  of  nour  going, 
•Uit  qo  at  once.     A  Itinb  goob  night 
£o  all. 

MACBETH. 


MUSIC. 


By  REEVE'S  ORCHESTRA. 

By  THE  BEACON  MALE  QUARTETTE, 

GEORGE  J.  PARKER.  ARTHUR  B.  HITCHCOCK. 

GEORGE  W.  WANT.  DAVID  M.  BABCOCK 


if-    fitfpf •!%! !  Iff! 
••••«  '1* 


BOSTC 


shers. 


WEDNESDAY    MORN] 


INCORPORATION  DAY, 


Reading's  Celebration 
Marred  by  Rain. 


Whole  Town  Was  Sad,  and 
Everybody  Kicked, 


Postponement    of    Several 
Events  Necessitated. 


Public  Meeting  Addressed 
by  Gov,  Greenhalge, 


aid),  and  the  very  air  of  the  sacred  edi- 
fice spoke  of  antiquity  to  the  stranger. 

Reeves'  band  aroused  the  audience  to 
a  lively  pitch,  and  then  Mr.  Walter  S. 
Parker,  chairman  of  the  Reading  gen- 
eral committee,  called  the  assemblage 
to  order.  In  a  few  well  chosen  words 
\M"  then  introduced  Gov.  Greenhalge, 
who  said  he  was  delighted  to  be  there. 

"Any  one  can  be  a  selectman  on 
sunny  days,"  he  said,  "and  any  one  can 
be  chief  magistrate  of  the  commonwealth 
In  sunny  weather.  The  strength  and 
value  of  the  commonwealth  is  shown  at 
a  time  when  difficulties  confront  the 
community,  and  is  measured  by  the 
courage  with  which  it  meets  the  diffi- 
culties." 

In  mentioning  his  appearance  in  the 
pulpit  he  spoke  of  the  early  religious 
training  of  the  Readings  and  its  great 
influence  on  the 

CIVII,   (iOVK.RNMENT   OF    TODAY. 

At  the  close  of  the  Governor's  ad- 
dress, Chairman  Parker  said  that  as  the 
sun  was  coming  out  the  parade  would 
start  at  3  o'clock.  The  effect  of  this 


araur   in    tut-   .uiciiiuuii 
and  Ball  in  the  Evening, 


A  bitter  disappointment. 

That  was  the  mornine  experience  for 
old  Mother  Reading1,  yesterday,  when  it 
came  her  turn  for  hilarity  in  the  joint 
celebration  of  the  quarter-millennial 
celebration  of  ancient  "Redding." 

It  was  the  second  and  last,  or  "Incor- 
poration" day  of  the  observance,  and 
not  one  in  a  thousand  had  any  idea 
that  nature  would  be  so  fickle  after  giv- 
ing WakHU-ld  SD  glorious  a  day  on 
Monday. 

••It's  too  bad."  cried  the  ladles.  The 
men  echoed  the  sentiments,  but  added  a 


MR.   HARLF.Y   PRF.NTISS. 

Chief  Marshal. 


announcement  tended  to  a  breaking  up 
of  the  meeting  to  a  greater  or  less  de- 
gree. 

I,ieut.-Gov.  Wolcott  said  he  did  not 
know  what  words  he  could  add  to  those 
of  the  Governor,  but  he  joined  him  in 
the  general  congratulations.  The  early 
days  were  days  of  hardship  and  penury, 
although  days  of  heroic  struggle  and 
days  which  laid  the  foundation  of  the 
nation. 

He  spoke  of  the  articles  in  the  his- 
torical collections  in  the  high  school 
building,  and  compared  them,  in  gen- 
eral, to  the  luxuries  of  today.  He  told 
of  the  motives  which  had  induced  those 
early  hardy  settlers  to  push  their  way 
into  the  then  unbroken  forests  of  pres- 
ent Reading,  and  then  he  took  up  the 
services  the  Headings  had  extended  in 
the  several  wars  in  which  the  country 
had  engaged. 

Hon.  Carroll  D.  Wright,  a  resident 
of  Readirier.  also  indulged  in  remarks 
concerning  the  weather.  He  slated  that 
it  had  been  suirtrested  that  he  and  Hun. 
Horace  <;.  Wadlin  should  indulge  in  a 
eeneral  talk  on  statistics,  and  tliere- 
fore  u-ive  the  citi/.'iis  something  dry. 
Thev  had  declined,  however,  as  the 
aericultunil  d.  looked  on 

tile     \veitther.     Hlwavs    f'H-    the    bell,  • 

r,   and   had  full 
men! 


Ing:     to    the    programme,     .M 

Francis  to;ich"d  ;i  match  to  the  huge 
bonfire  01-  'ill  an.!  a  (lam.-  soon 

shot  into  the  heavens,  rctit»cting  its 
light  for  miles  around. 

'Ph.-    rir-    was    kept     up    till    da 
Tin-re    \vas  a    struggle   for   mastery    be- 
tweeii    Die   flames  iiin.1    the   rain,    but   the. 
fire   got   a    clean    knock-down    at    e 
deluge. 

About  8  o'clock  yesterday  morning  the 

downpour  began,   and    wh-n   the  anxious 

pened     their    eyea     then- 

seemed  little   hope    for  a   pleasant    day. 
THE  WHOLE  TOWT    !•  KI.T   SU>, 

ami  everybody  kicked. 

At  S::;i)  o'clock  the  sun  tried  to  strug- 
gle through  the  clouds,  but  made  a.  dis- 
mal failure  of  it.  Rain  fell  in  torrents 
till  noon,  then  tapered  off  for  clearing 
weather  till  •>  o'clock,  when  Old  Sol  was 
himself  again. 

Reading-  was  a  pretty  dreary  town  all 
the  morning.  The  bands  pre-empted  all 
the  halls,  played  whist  and  smoked  till 
they  got  tired,  and  then  practised 
marches  and  ball  music  for  the  edifica- 
tion of  the  onlookers. 

The  military  men  enjoyed  themselves 
as  best  they  could,  and  did  not  seem 
to  fret  any  more  than  did  the  bands, 
whose  pay  was  assured,  rain  or  shine. 

far  the  largest  measure  of  anx- 
iety fell  on  the  shoulders  of  the  va- 
rious committees— Reading-  had  appro- 
priate.! J4(iOO  for  the  fun  and  as  much 
more  wan  sub  >mj  \Vak-lieM 

and  North  Heading  were  fully  as  Had. 
Chief  Marshal  Prentiss  rode  around  in 
the  wet  until  he  was  soaked,  trying  to 
see  some  Indication  of  the  sun  appear- 
ing, and  the  telephone  station  was  over- 
burdened with  anxious  queries  on  the 
prospect  In  general. 

Th"  1M  Massachusetts  school  regi- 
ni'Tit  was  to  have  its  annual  field  day 
in  the  town.  The  tents  were  all 
pitched,  and  baked  beans,  rolls  and 
fruit  by  the  barrel  were  on  hand  for 
the  boy  soldiers.  The  field  day  was 
the  first  feature  of  the  day  that  was 
postponed  till  Saturday. 

Then  one  after  another  feature  was 
postponed  all  the  morning  long— all 
but  the  hell  ringing  and  salutes  by  He- 


concluding 

the  crowd    tot  outside   II 
and    staff 
Inii'    aroiino     i..    u.-i     rhe    lin.-    of    ;. 

Consid-rint:'    ihe  conditions   to   be  over- 
come.   1 1:  \yits    really    an    e 
l-iit    one.      First    came   Baldwin's    ('ad.-t 
band,    then    the    sltrnal    coips    of    the    I'd 
brigade    under    the    leadership    of    l.ieut. 
llenrv   Snratue:     the  chief  marshal   and 
staff,    the    indenendent    corps    of    Cadets 
of    I'.oston.    l.-)0    strong,    under    command 
of  Mai.  Georsre  R.  Rogers,  and  then  the 
invited    tiuests   In    barouches. 
In  the  .a  rrlaues  were: 
(li.»v.    (irpfahalijt1,      I.ieut.-Gov.      Wolcott, 
On.    J)alton,     ineinbern    of    the    Governor's  giatT, 
Senator   lirovvn  of    Heading,   representative 
crol't   nint  Miller.  lion,    rarroll    li.     \\-riglil,   Coin 
niander-in Chief  .1.  •:.  U.  Adams  of  the  <;.  A.  It.  and 
many  others  of  note. 

Following    these    came    the    I,awi- 
•ry    (two    guns)    under    comman 
l.ieut.     Sanborn.      This     company     ' 
the  salute  at  the  appointed  time. 

A      few     more     barouch.-s.     containing 
ex -Mayor   Hart    of    Boston,    and   s. 
men      and     leading     citizens     from 
three  Readings,  follo.wed. 

The  second  division  was  under  themar- 
shalshlp  of  D.  \\".  \\Vston.  It  was  "led" 
by  the  lOverett  drum  corps  and  fol- 
lowed by  ,1.  F.  Ruggle.s  camp  L'.'!.  S.  of 
V.,  veteran  post  194,  (3.  A.  It.,  veterans 
in  carriages  and  in  barges,  and 
temperance  brigade. 

TIIK  KIIU-    DKI-AI:  i  HI 

came    next,     led    by     the    Salem     Cadet 
band,    and    lined    up   in   following   order: 
Reading  fire  department,    K.   C.   Xich 
chief:    engine    1.    hose    1.    Sunnier    hi 
and    ladder   trucks    (built    in    17r>9). 
^.    hose  :,'.    and  barouches   with    veteran 
and    invited    firemen;    WakehYld    depart- 
ment.      Chief      Kriglneer      Flanders 
charge;      American       Watch 
bnnd.     engine     !.      Wakefield     volume 
company,     and     Greenwood     ho*. 
pany.     The    North    Reading    depaiime 
followed,  and  a  tally-ho  contain!: 
bers  of  Reading  Athletic   club 
up  th.-  i. 

Charles  K.  ITusscy  was  marshal  of  '' 
fourth    division,     which    was 


Lawrence  battery. 

The  firemen  started  In  for  a  parade, 
but  this  was 

NOT   A   KLORIOI    S 

The  town  was  vory  handsomely  dec- 
orated, and  business  blo.-ks,  private 
dwellings,  town  house  and  the  old 
house  opposite  the  Common,  where  < 'ol. 
Bancroft,  father  of  the  historian,  and 
e  stopped,  and  Odd  Fel- 
lows' Hall,  whore  thr  reception  com- 
mittee held  forth,  and  the  Reading 
Athletic  Club,  where  the  press  head- 
quarters, under  charge  of  Chairman 
>. .  Loring.  were  located,  being  the 
more  noticeable.  By  afternoon  many 
decorations  were  a  conglomeration  of 
colors. 

The  Governor   and    invited   guests   ar- 
il train  at  10  o'clock,  and 
the    customary    salute    was    fired.    The 
party  was  driven  to  the  reception  com- 
mittee's   rooms,     where    the    party    re- 
•1,   the  visitors  being  introduced  by 
Senator  Brown  of  Reading. 

In  the  party  were  Gov.  Greenhalge, 
Lleut.-Gov.  Wolcott,  Congressman 
Stevens,  ex-Gov.  Tuttle  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, Adjt.-Gen.  Dalton,  Gen.  David- 
son and  Cols.  Benton,  Carr,  Paige  and 
Moses. 

The  party  was  entertained  at  luncheon 
by    Hon.    Horace   G.    Wadlin,    and    time 
was   killed   In   various  ways,    till   it  was 
led   to   hold   a  general   public  meet- 
ing    in     the     Old     South    Church    at    2 
o'clock.    Meanwhile,       everybody       who 
visit. 'd  the  open  houses,  at  which 
committeemen.  railroad  men  and  others 

i  in  the  old-time  fashion. 
It  was  -2  o'clock,  with  just  a  shade  of 
light  in  the  heavens  somewhere,  when 
the  church  was  packed  with  moist 
humanity.  This  church  society  Is  one 
Of  the  oldest  in  the  state  Cits  history 
has  been  published  In  The  Boston  Her- 


ronoweu 


(some   20   In   all)    containing    th 
iing     Temperance     Union     and     » 
school    children.     In     this    division 
was    a    float    representing    the    Pllgft 
fathers.      The      Woman's      Relief    Corp 
also    had   a    float    representing   a    happ> 
home  scene. 

This  ended  (h..  parade  feature.  Th"< 
march  was  through  many  of  the  princi- 
pal streets,  and  was  in  progress  upward 
of  two  hours.  After  this  the  invited 
guests  were  driven  to  the  reception 
enmmii toe's  headquarters,  and  shortly 
afterward  carriages  were  again  taken, 
thi;  time  to  Black's  block,  the  big 
wooden  structure  opposite  the  railroad 
station,  for  the  grand  banquet. 

At  6  o'clock  the  bell  ringing  and  sa- 
lute firing  were  on  again,  and  during  the 
evening  there  was  a  band  concert  on 
the  Common.  The  green  was  lighted 
throughout  with  red  and  green  flre. 
and  presented  a  pretty  scene. 

The  firemen  held  a  banquet  in  Lyceum 
Hall  at  1  o'clock.  Chief  Engineer  Ed- 
ward C.  Nichols  was  toastmaster,  and 
addresses  were  made  by  ex-Chief  Ben- 
jamin Boyce  of  Reading,  Chief  Flan- 
ders of  Wakefield,  Chief  Simonds  of 
North  Reading,  ex-Chief  Marchant  of 
Gloucester,  Engineer  Crowe  of  the  same 
city,  ex-Chief  Osborne  of  Salem  and 
Chief  A.  F.  Richardson  of  Danvers, 
In  the  evening  the  department  had  a 
ball  in  the  same  hall,  which  was  largely 
attended.  With  this  feature  ended  the 
celebration  of  1894. 


BANQUET  AND    SPEECHMAKING. 

Closing   Feature    of   the  Reading   Quarter- 
Millennial  Celebration. 
The  vast   hall  in  P'-ck's  block,  Read- 
ing. wa«  filled  to  overflowing  last  even- 


l CONTINUED  ON  NINTH  PAGE.) 


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O 


GHNHALOGICAL  HISTORY 


OF    THE 


TOWN  OF  READING,  MASS. 


INCLUDING   THE    PRESENT   TOWNS   OF 


WITH 

CHRONOLOGICAL     AND     HISTORICAL     SKETCHES, 

1 


* 

FROM  1639  TO  1874. 


0 

- 


By    HON.    LILLEY    EATON. 

•• 


; 

;  The  hills  are  dearest,  which  our  childish  feet 
M.IVL-  climbed  the  earliest;   and  the  streams  most  sweet 
Are  ever  those  at  which  our  young  lips  drank,  — 
Stooped  to  their  waters  o'er  the  grassy  bank." 

—  WIUTTIBR. 
•  •        • 

9s    *&*jf 


V  #•«• 

4", 


. 

BOSTON: 

ALFRED   MUDGE  &   SON,    PRINTERS,   34   SCHOOL  STREET. 

1874. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1874, 

BY     JOHN     S.     EATON, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


EXPLANATORY    PREFACE. 


IN  order  that  the  readers  of  this  Historical  Record  may  fully  understand 
its  origin,  and  the  method  of  its  completion,  these  explanatory  pages  are 
presented. 

In  the  month  of  February,  1865,  the  Hon.  Lilley  Eaton  delivered  a  lecture, 
containing  a  portion  of  the  historical  reminiscences  herein  recorded,  and 
subsequently  received  the  following  letter :  — 


HON.  LILLEY  EATON 


[COPY.] 

"SOUTH  READING,  Feb.  25,  1865. 


Dear  Sir,  —  The  undersigned,  your  fellow-townsmen,  would  respectfully  tender  you 
their  congratulations  for  your  very  interesting  lecture,  delivered  at  the  Town  Hall,  on 
Wednesday  evening  last.  They  feel  that  it  is  to  you,  more  than  any  one  else,  that  the 
town  is  indebted  for  the  high  position  it  occupies  in  intelligence  and  progress  ;  to  you, 
who  have  so  long  been  identified  with  its  schools,  and  all  that  goes  to  educate  us  in 
the  paths  of  knowledge  and  prosperity ;  to  you,  who  deem  no  labor  too  great  that  will 
enrich  the  present  from  the  gleanings  of  the  past ;  to  you,  who,  in  the  halls  of  legisla- 
tion, have  represented  us  so  long  and  so  well. 

Happy  is  the  town  which  claims  a  citizen  of  equal  worth  with  the  one  we  are  now 
addressing. 

As  everything  relating  to  the  history  of  our  town  is  worthy  of  permanent  record,  we 
respectfully  request  you  to  prepare  a  copy  of  your  lecture,  or  a  history  of  the  town, 
for  publication. 

•We  are,  Dear  Sir, 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

THOS.  EMERSON. 
S.  O.  RICHARDSON. 
EDWARD  MANSFIELD. 
(Signed,)  JONAS   EVANS. 

K  B.  WILEY. 
C.  WAKEFIELD. 
P.  H.  SWEETSER." 

In  compliance  with  the  above  request,  the  preparation  ot  these  records 
was  speedily  commenced,  and  from  year  to  year  their  collection  and  arrange- 


jv  EXPLANATORY  PREFACE. 

ment  were  carried  forward  with  a  patience  alike  remarkable  and  unwearied, 
in  the  confident  expectation  of  their  completion  and  publication  under  his 
personal  supervision. 

The  unexpected  death  of  Mr.  Eaton,  which  occurred  on  the  i6th  of  Jan- 
uary, 1872,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  prevented  the  accomplishment  of  this 
design,  and  the  manuscript  he  had  prepared  was  found  to  be  in  some  portions 
incomplete. 

In  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  Wakefield, 
and  others,  who  desired  copies  of  the  records  which  had  been  thus  laboriously 
obtained,  and  by  authority  of  the  town  of  Wakefield,  the  work  has  been  com- 
pleted through  the  agency  of  a  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose. 

Although  its  completion  has  been  effected  by  hands  less  skilful  than  those 
employed  at  its  commencement,  an  attempt  has  been  made  to  carry  out  the 
original  design  (as  far  as  such  design  was  apparent),  in  the  arrangement  and 
embellishment  of  the  work,  and  to  present  it  to  the  public,  as  nearly  as  has 
been  possible,  in  the  form  he  had  expected  it  to  assume. 

In  the  more  ancient  records,  there  may  be  detected  occasional  omissions 
of  dates,  which  (it  is  presumed)  were  not  found  in  the  original  search  for  them, 
and  no  later  attempt  has  been  made  to  supply  them. 

In  the  records  of  recent  years,  such  omissions  have  been  mainly  supplied. 

We  therefore  present  these  so  nearly  completed  records  of  the  vanished 
years  and  early  settlers  of  this  venerable  town,  fully  confident  that  their  im- 
perfections will  .find  ample  compensations  in  the  value,  variety,  and  interest  of 
recorded  historical  incidents,  in  the  entertaining  anecdotes  and  personal  de- 
scriptions, and  in  the  patriotic,  poetic,  and  eloquent  sentences  which  mark 
the  composition  of  the  original  historian. 

JOHN   S;  EATON,  I 

LUCIUS    BEEBE, 
RICHARD   BRITTON,     < 


CHESTER   W.  EATON 


Publication. 


tctttftt. 


PREFACE 


*T  is  good  sometimes  to  travel  back 

To  days  of  "  auld  lang  syne," 
Retrace  the  ancient  fathers'  track, 

Along  the  mossy  line  ; 
Visit  the  old  ancestral  homes, 

Our  parents'  virtues  learn, 
And  round  their  monumental  stones 

Let  veneration  burn. 
Review  the  trials  that  they  bore, 

In  old  primeval  years, 
To  gain  this  fair  and  goodly  shore, 

Mid  toil  and  want  and  fears  ; 
Observe  their  efforts  here  to  raise 

The  standard  of  the  Cross, 
Where  they  might  preach  and  pray  and  praise, 

No  prelates  to  oppress. 
And  how,  in  after-times,  they  grew 

The  tree  of  liberty, 
And,  from  its  topmost  branches  threw 

The  flag  of  victory ; 
That  same  bright  flag,  whose  starry  fold 

Their  loyal  sons  admire, 
And  spite  of  traitors,  will  uphold, 

With  sword  and  blood  and  fire. 

ANIMATED  life-long  with  perhaps  rather  more  than  an  average  share  of 
sentiments  as  above  expressed,  loving  with  ardor  my  native  home,  revering 
whatever  was  time-honored  and  worthy,  it  has  always  been  my  delight  "  to 
inquire  for  the  old  paths,  and  to  walk  therein"  ;  to  use  my  leisure  hours  in 
exploring  the  ways  of  the  fathers  ;  and  collect,  as  I  had  opportunity,  what- 
ever was  antique,  curious,  and  interesting,  —  storing  it  for  occasiona 
reference. 

It  was  known  to  my  fellow-citizens  that  I  had  sucli  collections  in  store  ; 
that  I  had  for  many  years  of  my  life  been  conversant,  often  officially,  with  the 
municipal,  literary,  financial,  and  social  progress  of  the  town  of  South  Read- 


vi  PREFACE. 

ing ;  and  was  more  or  less  familiar  with  the  course  of  events  in  the  three 
Readings,  for  the  last  half-century.  They  therefore  very  kindly  invited  me  to 
prepare  for  the  press  these  historical  collections  and  reminiscences,  gener- 
ously agreeing  to  assume  the  pecuniary  responsibility  of  the  publication. 

Thus  invited  and  encouraged,  I  consented  to  undertake  the  duty,  regretting 
my  want  of  ability  to  do  justice  to  the  subject,  and  my  want  of  leisure,  on 
account  of  a  multiplicity  of  other  pursuits,  to  bring  to  the  performance  of  the 
work  that  power  and  devotedness  which  the  importance  of  the  object  de- 
manded. 

I  can  truly  say,  however,  that  while  I  am  not  insensible  to  the  honor  or 
being  the  chosen  historian  of  my  native  town,  I  do  not  engage  in  the  work 
rom  any  expectation  of  pecuniary  advantage  ;  for  my  service  in  the  matter 
will  be  entirely  gratuitous.  Neither  do  I  thus  seek  literary  fame  ;  for-I  make 
no  pretence  to  rhetoric  or  fine  writing.  Nor  do  I  offer  it  as  a  complete  history 
of  the  old  town  of  Reading,  fully  sensible  that  it  is  very  far  short  of  exhausting 
the  subject :  but  the  publication  is  made  from  a  sincere  desire  to  arrange  and 
preserve  so  much  of  our  municipal  history  as  is  already  collected,  and  so 
assist  the  future  historian  with  many  valuable  facts  and  annals  that  might 
otherwise  be  soon  lost  and  overwhelmed  in  the  vortex  of  the  swiftly  receding 
tide  of  time. 

L1LLEY   EATON. 

IVakeJidd,  1871. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

[PAGBS  1-41.] 

A  CHRONOLOGICAL  AND  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  NoTAtn.R  EVENTS,  FROM  THE 
FIRST  SETTLEMENT  OF  THE  TOWN,  IN  1639,  TO  1700. 

Early  settlement  —  Petition  to  Court  for  land  —  The  first  grant  of  land  —  Lynn  Vil- 
lage, incorporation  and  name —  Reading,  England  —  Names  of  first  settlers  — 
First  mill  —  First  meeting-house  —  First  Church  —  First  military  company,  and 
other  military  matters  —  William  Witter,  a  Baptist,  prosecuted  —  Tax  of  first  set- 
tlers at  Lynn  —  General  division  of  land — Death  of  Rev.  Henry  Green,  and 
settlement  of  Rev.  Samuel  Haugh,  and  names  of  the  members  of  the  Church  — 
First  bridge  over  Ipswich  River,  and  order  about  attending  town-meetings  — 
Chadwell's  Neck  —  Fitch's  Way  —  Order  about  lumber,  etc.  —  Clerk  of  the  Writs 

—  Precautions  against  fire,  scolding,  swearing,  and  unlawful  wooing  —  Town  herd, 
fences,  land  grants,  etc.  —  Extract  from  Johnson,  etc.  —  Additional  grant  of  land 
by  the  Court,  and  an  order  in  reference  to  town-meetings  —  Baptists  of  Lynn 
imprisoned,  fined,  and  whipped,  etc.  —  Another  division  of  lands  —  Order  about 
cutting  timber  —  Road  from  Reading  to  Chelsea  laid  out  —  Road  from  Andovcr 
to  Reading  laid  out  —  Sale  of  liquors  to  the  Indians  —  Smith's  Ordinary  —  Slaves 

—  Minister's  salary  —  Division  of  lands  —  Cattle  on  Common —  Witchcraft  and 
theft  —  Town  way  laid  out,  town-meetings,  and  new  gallery  —  Commissioners  for 
small  causes,  minister's  pay,  troop  of  horse,  and  division  of  lands  in  North  Parish 

—  Fitch's  Lane  —  Authority  to  join  in  marriage — Pound — Order  about  gallery  and 
division  of  lands  —  Order  about  Quakers,  and  John  Weston  admonished  —  Death 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Haugh  and  settlement  of  Rev.  Mr.  Brock,  and  seats  of  women  and 
children  in  meeting-house  regulated,  and  order  about  dogs  and  dog-whipper — Land 
north  of  Ipswich  River  laid  out  —  Tho.  Tower  —  Corn  and  saw-mills,  and  earth- 
quake —  Lands  exchanged,  lands  granted,  and  Herdsmen,  Sealer,  and  Commis- 
sioners appointed  —  Burial-ground  fenced  —  Two-mile  grant  confirmed —  Division 
of  the  Great  Swamp,  and  minister's  rates  —  Names  of  owners  of  houses  —  Water 
privileges  granted  —  Bounty  on  wolves — Right  to  cut  wood  in  Great  Swamp 
defined  —  Uncivil  behavior  admonished,  fined,  and  otherwise  punished  —  Wood- 
end,  stone  wall,  ladders,  town-meeting  —  Order  about  stubborn  children  and  pa- 
rents—  King   Philip's  war — Fish  petition — Relative  standing  of  Reading  in 
the  Colony  —  Petition  for  defence  against  the  Indians — Stock  ide  fort  — Gar- 
rison houses  and  garrison  soldiers  —  Curious  petition  to  Court  in  relation  to  mil- 


i  CONTENTS. 

itary  mntters  —  Shoemaker  —  Petition  to  Court  in  relation  to  public  worship 
Rate  for  building  new  meeting-huose  or  parsonage  —  Grant  of  land  in  payment 
of  a  survey  of  two-mile  tract — Town  presented  to  Court  for  deficiency  of  a 
Grammar  School,  and  for  a  defect  in  highway,  and  Mr.  Brock,  licensed  to  take  Mr. 
Haugh's  land  —  First  parsonage,  description,  assignment,  and  sale  —  Copying  of 
old  town  books  ordered — Highway  between  Woburn  and  Reading  —  Report 
of  committee  on  the  parsonage  —  Death  of  Winnepurkit  —  Petition  of  William 
Hawkins  —  Bounty  for  bears  —  Two  moderators — Names  of  inhabitants  on 
north  side  of  Ipswich  River,  and  grant  of  land  to  them  —  Ministerial  barn  — 
Grant  of  land  in  Nipmug  Country  to  soldiers  in  the  Indian  war  —  Highways  to 
Woburn  and  Charlestown  laid  out — Another  division  of  public  lands  —  Rate 
to  pay  for  land  purchased  of  the  Indians  —  Captain  Savage  sues  the  town  for 
possession  of  land — Death  of  Deacon  Cowdrey  —  Bounties  paid  for  bears  — 
Death  of  Rev.  Mr.  Brock,  and  subscription  for  a  new  meeting-house  —  Indian 
war  —  Major  Swayne  appointed  Commander-in-Chief — Settlement  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Pierpont  —  Location  of  new  meeting-house,  and  Hart's  Corner  —  Canada  ex- 
pedition —  Leather  sealers  —  Warning  out  of  town,  and  soldiers'  debentures  — 
Dr.  James  Stimpson —  Witchcraft  —  Sale  of  the  old  meeting-house,  and  another 
general  division  of  land,  and  names  of  drawers  and  their  taxes  —  Free  School  — 
Mystic  Bridge  —  Tithing  men  —  Bounty  for  blackbirds,  and  a  school  rate  —  Tav- 
ern —  Shade  trees  —  Assessors  —  School-house  —  Minister's  salary,  how  paid  — 
New  meeting-house  improvements  —  Order  in  relation  to  a  separate  parish  on 
north  side  of  Ipswich  River  —  Horse  sheds  —  Chirurgery  —  Agreement  with  a 
school  teacher  —  Mystic  Bridge  —  Minister's  pay  —  Eaton's  mill. 


CHAPTER    II. 

[PAGBS  43-127.] 

A  GENEALOGICAL  LIST  OF  EARLY  SETTLERS,  WITH  THE  SUCCESSION  OF  THEIR 
FAMILIES  FOR  SEVERAL  GENERATIONS,  WITH  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  HISTORICAL 
NOTICES  OF  MANY  OF  THEM.  THIS  LIST  is  INTENDED  TO  INCLUDE  THE 
NAMES  OF  ALL  THE  MEN  WHO  SETTLED  IN  THE  TOWN  PRIOR  TO  THE  YEAR 
1700,  WITH  SOME  LATER  ONES.* 


i  ABBOTT,  p.  42. 

4  ARNOLD,  p.  43. 

(3)    Lamson. 

7  BATCHBLDER,  p.  45- 

Davis. 

Bryant. 

Leathe. 

Cowdrey. 

Graves. 

Lovejoy. 

Dix. 

Hewes. 

5  BANCROFT,  p.  43. 

Me  teal  f. 

Ellesley. 

Swain. 

Bacon. 

(5)   Parker. 

Flint. 

Browne. 

Pearson. 

Hartshorne. 

2  ANGIBR,  p.  43. 

Bryant. 

Poole. 

Lewis. 

Murch. 

(3)  Eaton. 

Woodman. 

Pearson. 

Emerson. 

Pluramer. 

3  ANOUGH,  p.  43. 

Fitch. 

6  BARRETT,  p.  45. 

Poore. 

Newman. 

Kendall. 

Bennett. 

Pratt. 

*  The  names  of  heads  of  families  are  arranged  alphabetically,  and  printed  in  large  type  ;  those  names 
that  have  been  connected  with  these  families  by  marriage  follow  in  smaller  type,  under  each  family  head 
respectively,  and  can  be  further  examined  in  the  body  of  the  Genealogy. 


CUNlt 

'.NTS. 

IX 

Sweetser. 

15  BRYANT,  p'.  55. 

»S  COOK,  p.  s«. 

Wiley. 

White. 

Arnold. 

Fitch. 

26   COWDRRY,  p.  $8. 

31    DlCKBRMAN,    p.  62. 

8  BBLKNAP,  p.  47. 

Frothingham. 

Batchelder. 

Kendall. 

Ho  ut  well. 

32  I  >ix,  p.  62. 

9  BKLLPLOWBR,  p.  47 

Smith. 

Burrill. 

Fitch. 

Cutler. 

Swain. 

(2)    Emerson. 

Smith. 

Thompson. 

Goodwin. 

10  BENNETT,  p.  47. 

Weston. 

Hartfhornc. 

33  DUNTON,  p.  63. 

Lilley. 

Gould. 

ii  BORMAN,  p.  47. 

16  BURNAP,  p.  56. 

(2)    I'arker. 

Antrim. 

Policy. 

34  DUTTON,  p.  63. 

12    BOUTWBLL,  p.  47. 

(a)    Browne. 

Steams. 

Hooper. 

Bryant. 

Eaton. 

Stimpson. 

Cowdrey. 

Emerson. 

Thompson. 

33  DUSTIN,  p.  bj. 

Damon. 

Flint. 

Weston. 

Tower. 

Davis. 

Grover. 

Colson. 

Eaton. 

Li  Hey. 

27  CURWIN,  p.  60. 

Emerson. 

Newhall. 

36  EATON,  p.  63. 

Foster. 

Pearson. 

28  CUTLER,  p.  60. 

Bancroft. 

Krothingham. 

Rice. 

Bellflower. 

(3)   Boutwell. 

Hartshurne. 

Sawyer. 

Haines. 

(2)   Browne. 

Kendall. 

Smith. 

Hewett. 

Burnap. 

Lewis. 

Stearns. 

Pike. 

Damon. 

Manning. 

Swain. 

Smith. 

Delver. 

Parker. 

Upton. 

Underwood. 

Dodge. 

Poole. 

Walton. 

Verry. 

Eaton. 

Sibley. 

Weston. 

(3)    Emerson. 

Stimpson. 

Woodward. 

29  DAMON,  p.  60. 

Flint. 

Swain. 

Bancroft. 

Frothingham. 

Thompson. 

17  BURT,  p.  58. 

Batchelder. 

Gould. 

Townsend, 

Fiske. 

Boutwell. 

(2)   Hart. 

Walkup. 

Gilbert. 

Bragg. 

Hartshorne. 

Lariford. 

Cowdrey. 

Holden. 

13  BROCK,  p.  49. 

(2)   Emerson. 

Howard. 

llaugli. 

18  BUTTERS,  or  BUT- 

Flint. 

Hurcom. 

TERY,  p.  58. 

Gerry. 

(2)    Kendall. 

14  BROWNK,  p.  49. 

(3)   Cowing. 

Lamson  . 

Badger. 

19  CARTER,  p.  58. 

Holden. 

(a)  Lilley. 

Bancroft. 

Locke.. 

Leman. 

Mason. 

Bulkley. 

Nichols. 

Moore. 

Burnap. 

20  CHADWICK,  p.  58. 

Parker. 

(4)  Nichols. 

Dtx. 

Jenkins. 

Pratt. 

Nurse. 

Emerson. 

Stocker. 

Rand. 

Parker. 

Fellows. 

Trevit. 

(3)   Smith. 

Pearson. 

Fiske. 

Sweetser. 

Pierce. 

Gerrish. 

31  CHANDLER,  p.  58. 

Symonds. 

Poole. 

Goodwin. 

Taylor. 

Roberts. 

Hartshorne. 

22  CLARK,  p.  58. 

Thompson. 

Russell. 

Jaques. 

Bancroft. 

(a)  Townsend. 

Upton. 

I  .am  son. 

Swam. 

Wiley. 

Wiley. 

Nichols. 

Wright. 

Osgood. 

23  COLB,  p.  58. 

37  EDWARDS,  p.  68. 

Parker. 

30  DAVIS,  p.  62. 

Poole. 

Spraguc. 

24  C  ILSON,  p.  58. 

Bontwell. 

Stearns. 

Browne. 

Unmhoine. 

38  EMERSON,  p.  68. 

W  hippie. 

Dustin. 

Poor.  ' 

Badger. 

b 

CONTENTS. 


Bancroft. 

Merriam. 

Whittredge. 

Oakes. 

Boutwell. 

Story. 

(2)  Woodward. 

Orr. 

Browne. 

Sweet  ~er. 

Parker. 

Bruce. 

47  FOSTRR,  p.  79. 

Perry. 

Bryant. 

46  FLINT,  p.  72. 

Bancroft. 

Poole. 

Buckley. 

(2)  Abbott. 

Boutwell. 

Pratt. 

Burnap. 

Barker. 

Eaton. 

Symonds. 

Conant. 

Batchelder. 

Flint. 

Smith. 

Cowdrey. 

Bradford. 

(2)  Foster. 

Stone. 

Damon. 

Brooks. 

(2)  Goodwin. 

Swain. 

Dix. 

Bitmap. 

Gould. 

Townsend. 

Dresser. 

Burns. 

Hartsliorne. 

Uphatn. 

(3)    Eaton. 

Burrill. 

Johnson. 

Vinton. 

(2)  Emerson. 

Buxton. 

Merrow. 

Walton. 

Farrar. 

Dsinon. 

Parker. 

White. 

Foster. 

Deblois. 

(2)  Roberts. 

(2)   Howard. 

Downton. 

Taylor. 

32  GROVHR,  p.  85. 

Johnson. 

(4)  Eaton. 

Townsend. 

Burnap. 

(2)  Nichols. 

Evans. 

Parker. 

Farnham. 

48  FRANCIS,  p.  80. 

53  HARNDKN,  p.  85. 

Poole. 

(2)  Flint. 

Sherman. 

Richardson. 

(2)  Folger. 

49  GOODWIN,  p.  80. 

(2)  Smith. 

Foster. 

Bryant. 

54  HART,  ]>.  85. 

Swain. 

French. 

Cowdrey. 

Winborne. 

Townsend. 

Frost. 

Lunt. 

Upton. 

Gardner. 

Nichols. 

55  HARTSHORNS,  p.Ss. 

Wakefield. 

Gould. 

Parker. 

(2)   Boutwell. 

Walton. 

(2)  Graves. 

Pearson. 

Browne. 

(2)  Williams. 

Green. 

Weston. 

(2)   Burnap. 

Hardy. 

Wiley. 

Goodwin. 

39  ENDICOTT,  p.  69. 

(3)  Hart. 

Wot  ton. 

Haseltine. 

Hayward. 

Hopkinson. 

40  EVANS,  p.  69. 

Herrick. 

50  GOULD,  p.  81. 

Lamscn. 

Alexander. 

Holt. 

Aborn. 

Nurse. 

Convers. 

Hubbard. 

Brown. 

Osgood. 

Dunton. 

Hunt. 

Foster. 

(2)   Pearson. 

Green. 

(2)  Hutchinson. 

Hart. 

(4)  Swain. 

Smith. 

Kendall. 

Pearson. 

Taylor. 

Sweetser. 

Kimball. 

(2)  Smith. 

Thompson. 

Townsend. 

Lewis. 

Sweetser. 

Nelson. 

56  HASELTINS,  p.  87. 

41  EVERETT,  p.  70. 

Nichols. 

51  GRKBN,  p.  82. 

Hartsliorne. 

Edwards. 

Nickerson. 

Ash. 

(3)  Osgood. 

Bryant. 

57  HASTINGS,  p.  87. 

42  FAIRFIEI.D,  p.  70. 

Parker. 

Cook. 

Edwards. 

Palfrey. 

Phelps. 

Deadman. 

Skipperway. 

(2)  Pope. 

Evans. 

58  HAUGH,  p.  87. 

Pratt. 

Farmer. 

Baker. 

43  FELCH,  p.  71. 

(3)  Putnam. 

Gerry. 

Booth. 

Cutler. 

Richardson. 

Gould. 

Brock. 

Deane. 

Russell. 

Green. 

Bulkley. 

Smith. 

(4)  Sawyer. 

Hay. 

Davis. 

Stone. 

Hadley. 

Herbert. 

44  FISH.  p.  71. 

Taylor. 

Kinerson. 

Raiusford. 

Lewis. 

j    Train. 

Knight. 

•  Savage. 

Tucker. 

Larmbee. 

Svinins. 

45  FITCH,  p.  71. 

(6)  Upton. 

Marble. 

Usher. 

Low. 

Wakefield. 

Newhall. 

Walker. 

CONTENTS. 


XI 


59    HAY,  p.  90. 

73  KENDALL,  p.  93. 

Stimpson. 

Kendall. 

Apple  ii.  n. 

r.nuiwell. 

Tuttle. 

Menow. 

Boutwell. 

Hryant. 

Wallis. 

(2)  Newhall. 

Chandler. 

I  Hint.  in. 

Parker. 

Emerson. 

Eaton. 

85    Ml  LI.  BK,  p.   97. 

Policy. 

Flint. 

Goodwin. 

Smith. 

Pope. 

Gale. 

NichoU. 

(3)   Richardson. 

Kidcler. 

Parker. 

86  MOKRILL,  p.  97. 

Underwood. 

Lucus. 

Pearson. 

Winn. 

Mansfield. 

87  NBWHALL,  p.  97. 

Myrick. 

74  KNOWLTON,  p.  94. 

92  PEARSON,  [-•  103. 

Nichols. 

88  NICHOLS,  p.  97. 

Batche'der. 

Poole. 

75  LAMSON,  p.  94. 

(2)  Bancroft. 

Eaton. 

Pope. 

Hartshoroe. 

Barrett. 

Goodwin. 

Porter. 

Nichols. 

BatcheMer. 

Gould. 

Kaddin. 

Boutwell. 

Kendall. 

Ring. 

76  LAUKIN,  p.  94. 

Browne. 

Swain. 

Sweetser. 

Browne. 

Burnap. 

Thompson. 

(2)  Damon. 

93  PHBI.PS,  p.  103. 

77  LRAM«N,  p.  94. 

(3)  Eaton. 

Putnam. 

60  HKKBBRT,  p.  92. 

Bryant. 

Eustis. 

HaiiKh. 

Damon. 

Flint. 

94  PHIPPS,  p.  103. 

Nichols. 

Haugh. 

Smithwick. 

78  LEWIS,  p.  94. 

Hay. 

95  PIKKPONT,  p.  103. 

Boutwell. 

Herbert. 

Angler. 

61   HKSCBY,  p.  92. 

Taylor. 

Hersey. 

Bancroft. 

Poole. 

Kendall. 

Gale. 

79  LILLHY,  p.  95. 

Lamson. 

Hay. 

62  HILLS,  p.  92. 

Burnap. 

(2)  Nichols. 

Perkins. 

Chase. 

Poole. 

RinK. 

63  IIunoKiNs,  p.  92. 

Eaton. 

(2)  Stimpson. 

Sawyer. 

Goodwin. 

Wiley. 

64  Mom.  MAN.  p.  92. 

Hutchinson. 

96  PIKE,  p.  106. 

Rout  well. 

Parker. 

89  NURSF,  p.  too. 

Cutler. 

Gerry. 

Smith. 

Eaton. 

Leffingwell. 

Morrill. 

Wright. 

Hartshorne. 

Webber. 

Roberts. 

97  POLLBY,  p.  106. 

So  MARSHALL,  p.  95. 

Everett. 

65  HOOPER,  p.  93. 

Swain. 

90  PALFREY,  p.  100. 

Fairfielcl. 

98  POOLE.  p.  106. 

66  HUTCHINSON,  p.  93. 

81  MARTIN,  p.  95. 

Smith. 

Bancroft. 

Jeffrey. 

Laukin. 

Barrett. 

Leighton. 

91  PARKER,  p.  100. 

Belknap. 

82  MAVERICK,  p.  95. 

(2)   Bancroft. 

Eaton. 

67  JACKSON,  p.  93. 

Harris. 

Batchelder. 

Edwards. 

Taylor  or  Tower. 

Smith. 

Bright. 

Fitch. 

Stetson. 

Browne. 

Gibson. 

68  JENKINS,  p.  93. 

Bursham. 

Hescey. 

Chadwick. 

83   MclNTIRB,  p.  96. 

Cowdrey. 

I.  em  an. 

Damon. 

Nichols. 

69  JENKINSON,  p.  93. 

84  MERKOW,  p.  96. 

(2)   Eaton. 

Parker. 

Brooks. 

Elle:ley. 

Pope. 

70  KKDBH,  p.  93. 

Cowdrey. 

Emerson. 

Poole. 

Foster. 

Flint. 

Richardson. 

71  KKLSON,  Pg93« 

Gould. 

Goodwin. 

Wakefield. 

Parker. 

Gould. 

72  KEN,  p.  93. 

Pearson. 

Green. 

99  PRATT,  p.  109. 

Pepper. 

Pratt. 

Hopkin*. 

Boulwell. 

Xll 


CONTENTS. 


Damon. 

Harris. 

Clark. 

121  TOWNSEND,  p.  119. 

Smith. 

Hart. 

Green. 

Boutwell. 

Wakefield. 

Jenkins. 

(2)  Hartshorne. 

Emerson. 

Knowlton. 

Lawrence. 

Evans. 

100  RICE,  p.  109. 

Lilley. 

Marshall. 

Lynde. 

Morse. 

122  UNDERWOOD,  p.  120. 

101  RICHARDSON,  p. 

no.       Maverick. 

Parker. 

Bancroft. 

Mead. 

Pope. 

Cutler. 

102  ROBBINS,  p.  no. 

Merrill. 

Smith. 

Miles. 

James. 

Noyes. 

Walton. 

Parker. 

Paifrey. 

Williams. 

Poole. 

loj  ROBERTS,  p.  no. 

Pierce. 

Eaton. 

Pratt. 

116  TAYLOR,  p.  117. 

123    Ul'HAM.   p.  120. 

Foster. 

(2)  Sherman.. 

Harrington. 

Browne. 

Nurse. 

Smith. 

Hooper. 

Pierce. 

Swain. 

Stimpson. 

124  UPTON,  p.  120. 

Taylor. 

(3)  Sweetser. 

Cross. 

Shelton. 

Walton. 

117  TEMPLE,  p.  117. 

Goodale. 

Webb. 

(  2)   Bancroft. 

Gray. 

104  ROGERS,  p.  no. 

Wiley. 

(3)   Beard. 

Hayward. 

Woodman. 

Beck. 

Mclntire. 

105  RUSSELL,  p.  no. 

Buck. 

Stimpson. 

Mclntire. 

in  SOUTHWICK,  p.  114 

Carter. 

Swallow. 

Herbert. 

Coggin. 

Thompson. 

106  SADLER   p.  no. 

Southwick. 

(2)  Damon. 

Upton. 

Weston. 

Dix. 

Wilkins. 

107  SAVAGE,  p.  in. 

Eaton. 

Haugh. 

112  SQ.UIER,  p.  114. 

E!a. 

125    VlNTON,  p.  121. 

Norton. 

Emerson. 

Brooks. 

Quincy. 

113  STIMPSON,  p.  114. 

Evans. 

Green. 

Symms. 

Atwell. 

Fowle. 

McLeod. 

Walker. 

Boynton. 

Flint. 

Nichols. 

(3)  Bryant. 

Harnden. 

Parker. 

108  SAWYER,  p.  in. 

Cowdrey. 

Hemphill. 

Richardson. 

Burnap. 

Damon. 

Holden. 

Stacy. 

Damon. 

Dan  forth. 

Jenkins. 

Swain. 

Ltlley. 

Fuller. 

Locke. 

W;ley. 

Nurse. 

Hartshorne. 

Lovejoy. 

Wilson. 

Rich. 

Knight. 

(4)  Nichols. 

Town  send. 

Laughton. 

Noyes. 

126  WAKEFIELD,  p.  121. 

Wood. 

Leffingwell. 

(6)  Parker. 

Bridge. 

Means. 

Pierce. 

Gould. 

log   SCOLLEY,  p.  III. 

(2)  Nichols. 

(2)  Pratt. 

Pratt. 

Parker. 

(4)  Richardson. 

Eaton. 

no  SMITH,  p.  in. 

Ridgeway. 

(2)  Temple. 

Hardy. 

Bancroft- 

Sanborn. 

(2)   Townsend. 

Bancroft. 

Bill. 

Teprell. 

(2)  Weston. 

Emerson. 

(3)  Boardman. 

Upton. 

Hemenway. 

Boutwell. 

118  THOMPSON!  p.  119. 

Poole. 

Bryant. 

114   SUTTOM,  p.  IIS- 

Hartshorn. 

(4)  Burnap. 

Upton. 

127  WALKER,  p.  123. 

Cutter. 

115  SWAIN,  p.  115. 

Dole. 

(5)  Damon. 

Allen. 

119  TONEY,  p.  119. 

Haugh. 

Emerson. 

Appleton. 

Jewett. 

Evans. 

Boutwell. 

120  TOWER,  p.  119. 

*Savage. 

Felch. 

Browne. 

Crocker. 

(2)  Gould. 

Buck. 

Dustin  . 

128  WALION,  p.  123. 

(a)  Green. 

(2)  Burnap. 

Jackson. 

Bartlett. 

CONTENTS. 


(2)  Hrown. 

Fitch. 

Goodwin. 

132   WILLIAMS  p.  127. 

Hurnap. 

Bryant. 

(2)   Green. 

Nichols. 

Con.int. 

Town  send. 

Hawkes. 

' 

Emerson. 

Hay. 

133   WlNBORNB,  p.  127. 

Green. 

131  WILEY,  p.  125. 

Mansfield. 

Hart. 

Hawkes. 

Bancroft. 

Nichols. 

Munjoy. 

(3)   Browne. 

(2)  Poole. 

134  WOODWARD,  p.  127. 

Swain. 

Bryant. 

Sherman. 

Bancroft. 

Tarbell. 

Cooley. 

(2)  Smith. 

Hurnap. 

Williams. 

Damon. 

Sprague. 

Lcaman. 

Davis. 

Tapley. 

Teal. 

129  WEI.I.MAN,  p.  125. 

Dunn. 

Vinton. 

Rubbins. 

Browne. 

Eaton. 

(l)  WUey. 

Edes. 

135  WORMWOOD,  p.  127. 

130  WESTON,  p.  125. 

Edmands. 

CHAPTER     III. 

[PAGES  128-202.] 

A  CONTINUATION  OF  CHRONOLOGICAL  AND  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  NOTABLE 
EVENTS,  FROM  1700  TO  1812. 

George  Lillie  —  Stocks  —  Indenture  with  schoolmaster  —  School  meadow  —  School 
wood —  Elizabeth  Jonson  —  Death  of  Widow  Kendall —  Stephen  Dix  drowned 

—  Indian   attack  —  Agreement  with  schoolmaster  —  Schools — Death  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Pierpont  and  candidates  for  the  succession,  and  petition  of  Ipswich  River 
and  Sadler's  Neck  proprietors  —  School  at  Woodend,  and  ram  pasture  —  Pas- 
toral invitations  —  Petition  for  the  North  Parish  —  French  and  Indian  War,  and 
names  of  soldiers  —  Rev.  Richard  Browne  invited  —  Parsonage,  first  and  second 

—  Law  against  desertions  —  Settlement  of  Rev.  Mr.  Brown,  schoolmaster  and 
town  clerk —  Parsonage  land —  Incorporation  of  North  Precinct,  and  first  meet- 
ing—  Town  votes  in  relation  to  North  Precinct  —  North  Precinct  invites  Rev. 
Daniel  Putnam,  and  votes  concerning  meeting-house  and  parsonage  —  Deaths  01 
Hannah  Felch  and  John  Brown,  Esq.  —  North  Precinct  petitions  for  common 
land  —  Mr.  Putnam  ordained  —  Early  settlement  of  North  Precinct,  and  names 
and  residence  of  early  settlers —  List  of  tax-payers  in  North  Precinct  in  1720  — 
Herbage  in  Lynn  Common —  Bills  of  credit  —  Members  of  First  Church  in  1721 

—  Lynnfield   church  members  and   North  Precinct   ditto  —  Small-pox  —  First 
Parish   parsonage,  and  singing  —  Sale  of  rights  in   lands  at   Lynn  —  Petition 
about  fish  —  Common  land  assigned  to  the  parsonage  —  Petition  of  North  Pre- 
cinct in  relation  to  Mr.  Putnam —  First  Parish  contribution  —  Division  of  school 
money  —  Town  order  about  geese  and  timber  trees —  First  Parish  Church  struck 
by  lightning — New  bell  —  Stoneham  incorporated  —  Annexation  of  north  part 
of  Maiden  asked  for — Lynn  herbage  —  Earthquake  —  Fish  —  Bills  of  credit  — 
Mystic  Bridge  —  Indian  deed  —  Dismissal  of  Stoneham  church  members —  \Vm. 
Williams  and  son  drowned  —  Ten  families  from  Maiden  annexed — Seating  the 
meeting-house — Petition  for  a  Third  Parish  —  Incorporation  of  Wilmington  — 
Financial    condition  —  Old    pulpit    cushion — North    Precinct   School  —  Child 
drowned  —  Death  of  Rev.  Mr.  Brown —  Funeral  expenses  —  Settlement  of  Rev. 


xiv  CONTENTS. 

Mr.  Hobby  —  Ordination  expenses  —  Parsonage  land  and  house  —  Repair  of 
the  meeting-house — Highways  and  common  lands — Parsonage  —  Throat  dis- 
temper —  Mystic  Bridge  —  Bridge  over  Saugus  River  —  Common  lands  — 
Enlargement  of  the  parsonage  house  —  Deer  —  Town  expenses  —  Horse  block 

—  Suicide  —  North  Precinct  meeting-house —  Whitefield  —  Tavern  —  Common 
lands  —  Nova  Scotia  expedition — Jos.  Underwood  —  Daniel    Emerson  —  Cap- 
ture of    Louisburg,   etc. — School-house    at    North    Precinct — Jos.    Swain  — 
Hobby's   salary  —  New  meeting-house   and   pound   at   North   Precinct  —  New 
Style — Sale   of  Negroes  —  John    Kimball  —  Capt.   Fitch  —  Death  of  William 
Hobby,   Jr.  —  Death   of  Rev.    Mr.    Putnam  —  Ordination  of  Elias    Smith   at 
Middleton  —  French  Neutrals  —  Settlement  of  Rev.  Mr.  Stone  at  North  Pre- 
cinct—  Town  pound — Mystic  Bridge  —  Sickness  of  Mr.  Hobby  —  His  death  — 
His   funeral  —  Stamp   Act — Action  of  the  town  in  relation  thereto — Joseph 
Frye — Woodend  petitions  to  be  set  off  from  the  First  Parish  —  Action  of  the 
parish — Young  Men's  Christian  Association  —  First  Parish  votes  to  build  new 
meeting-house —  Woodend  again  seeks  a  separation  —  Description  of  new  meet- 

.  ing-house  —  Sale  of  pews,  and  original  purchasers  —  Woodend  petitions  General 
Court  for  a  separate  parish  —  Old  parish  opposes  —  General  Court  grants  the 
petition,  and  Third  Parish  incorporated — First  meeting  of  Third  Parish  —  Act 
of  incorporation  of  Third  Parish  —  Rev.  Caleb  Prentiss  settled  at  First  Parish  — 
List  of  inhabitants  of  Third  Parish  at  its  incorporation  —  Powder  house  —  Third 
Parish  meeting-house  completed — Third  Parish  parsonage  bought — Rev. 
Thomas  Haven  settled  at  Third  Parish,  and  Mr.  Haven's  letter  of  acceptance  — 
First  Parish  sell  their  parsonage  to  Mr.  Prentiss — Third  Parish  sell  their  par- 
sonage to  Mr.  Haven,  and  accept  the  share  of  ministerial  lands  apportioned  to 
them  by  the  town  —  Lists  of  voters  in  the  several  parishes  in  1771  —  Dr.  Jabez 
Brown's  letter  —  Alewives  —  Choristers — Third  Parish  sue  Jona.  Eaton  for 
trespass  on  ministerial  land  —  First  Parish  defend — Jacob  Burnap  settled  at 
Merrimac,  N.  H. — Jabez  Carter  and  family — Disagreement  between  First  and 
Third  Parish  about  meeting-house  settled,  also  the  suit  against  Jona.  Eaton  — 
Boston  Tea  Party  —  Spirited  action  of  the  town  in  relation  to  public  grievances 

—  Patriotic  resolves  of  the  town  for  the  maintenance  of  their  rights  —  Deputies 
chosen  to  a  Provincial  Congress  —  Roads  in  North  Precinct  —  Commencement 
of  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  and  the  part  that  Reading  took  therein  —  Battle  of 
Lexington  and  Concord —  Call  from  the  army  for  wood,  and  the  town's  response 

—  Capt.  James  Bancroft,  and  other  able  men  in  Reading    -  Army  stores  in  First 
Parish  meeting-house  —  Orders  for  powder,  wood,  and  hay — Battle  of  Bunker 
Hill  —  Letter  of  Benj.  Brown  and  John  Walton  in  reference  to  refugees  and  pro- 
visions—  How  town-meetings  were  warned  —  British  prisoners  sent  to  Reading 

—  Hay  and  blankets  for  the  army  —  Town  vote  to  stand  by  Congress  to  the  last 

—  Independence  declared  —  Population  of  Reading  in  1776  —  Cato,  a  negro  — 
Death   of  Mrs.    Haven — Donation   people  —  Tory  prosecutor — Col.    Brown's 
order  —  Lieut.  Foster  to  be  ready  to  march  at  shortest  notice  —  Number  of  sol- 
diers on  the  rolls  in  Reading —  Selectmen  petition  for  fire-arms,  etc.  —  Order  for 
a  draft — Surrender  of  Burgoyne — "Articles  of  Confederation"  approved  by 
the  town — Clothing  sent  to  Concord  for  the  Army — Town  voted  against  the 
Constitution  of  1778  —  Militia  notified  to  be  ready  to  march  to  Boston- — Mo- 
nopoly —  Delegate  to  a  Constitutional  Convention  —  Small-pox  —  Proportion  of 
recruits  from  each  parish. —  More  men  called  for  —  Qu^ta  always  filled  —  New 


.CONTENTS.  V 

Constitution  (of  1780)  unanimously  accepted  —  Dark  day —  Reef  for  the  army — 
Continental  soldiers,  and  how  paid —  Rev.  Mr.  Whitney,  of  Xorthboro' — Value 
of  old  and  new  emission  —  Warning  out  of  town  —  First  Parish  debt  —  Death  ot 
Rev.  Mr.  Haven — Third  Parish  repurchase  their  parsonage — Dissatisfaction 
with  Rev.  Mr.  Prentiss —  First  Parish  burial-ground,  and  treasury  —  First  Parish 
petition  for  incorporation  as  a  town  —  Social  Library  formed  —  Shay's  Rebellion 

—  Rev.  Mr.  Sanborn  invited  to  settle  with  Third  Parish — His  letter  of  accept- 
ance —  Warning  out —  Mysterious  disappearance  of  Thos.  Sweetser  —  His  sup- 
posed skeleton  afterwards  found  —  More  warning  out —  School-dames  rejected — 
Mr.  Sanborn  ordained — Watts'  Hymns  —  School  Committee  and  appropria- 
tions—  School-dames  restored  —  Small-pox  inoculation  —  Dr.  John  Walton  — 
Stove  in  West  Parish  meeting-house — French  victories  —  Civic  feast  —  Liberty 
tree  and  pole  —  Baptist  Society  and  ML  Moriah  Lodge  organized — Baptist  So- 
ciety secretly  purchase  land  for  a  church —  Baptist  Society  erect  their  first  meet- 
ing-house—  Rev.  Mr.  Nelson  —  Death  of  Rev.  Mr.  Prentiss,  with  biographical 
and  genealogical  items  —  Turnpike  opposed  —  Samuel  Wiley's  house  burned — 
Baptist  Church  in  First  Parish  constituted,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Nelson  settled  —  Turn- 
pike favored  —  Law  suit,  Baptist  Society  versus  Lynnfield  —  Death  of  Rev.  John 
Mellen  —  Common  lands  confirmed  to  the  several  parishes  —  Persons  drowned 

—  First  Parish  purchase  a  hearse  —  Cold  Friday  —  Dr.  John  Hart,  Jr. 


CHAPTER     IV. 

[PAGES  203-241.] 

•  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY. 

Organization  of  First  Church  —  First  meeting-house  and  parsonage  —  Succession  of 
ministers  —  List  of  deacons  —  Baptist  Society  and  Church  in  South  Reading, 
now  Wakefield  —  Organization  and  erection  of  first  meeting-house —  First  min- 
ister, Rev.  Mr.  Nelson  —  Rev.  Mr.  Davis,  second  minister,  with  biographical 
sketch — Removal  of  meeting-house  —  Death  of  Lilley  Eaton — Resignation  of 
Mr.  Davis  —  Third  minister,  Rev.  Mr.  Warne  —  Death  of  Naomi  Badger  — 
Fourth  minister,  Rev.  Mr.  Huckins  —  Fifth  minister,  Rev.  Mr.  Sawyer — Meet- 
ing-house burnt,  and  second  meeting-house  erected  —  Seventh  minister,  Rev.  Mr. 
Cole  —  Eighth  minister,  Rev.  Mr.  Evans  —  Ninth  minister,  Rev.  Mr.  Adams  — 
Tenth  minister,  Rev.  Mr.  Phillips  —  Death  of  important  members  —  Donation 
from  Mrs.  E.  E.  '-Viley  —  Eleventh  minister,  Rev.  Mr.  Bullen  —  Twelfth  minister, 
Rev.  Mr.  Willmarth  —  List  of  deacons  of  Baptist  Church  of  South  Reading  — 
Universalist  Society  organized  —  First  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Newell  —  Second  pastor, 
Rev.  Mr.  Morse  —  Third  pastor.  Rev  Mr.  Jewell — Erection  and  dedication  of 
their  first  meeting-house  —  Fourth  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Lyon — Fifth  pastor,  Rev. 
Mr.fBarden — Seventh  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Hicliborn — Eighth  pastor,  Rev.  Mr  Moore 
—  Ninth  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  S:nith  —  Tenth  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Eaton — Enlarge- 
ment of  the  meeting-house  —  Eleventh  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Hayward  —  The  Second 
Church  of  Old  Reading  and  First  of  North  Reading  organized — First  pastor 
Rev.  Mr.  Putnam  —  Second  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Stone  —  Third  pastor,  Rev.  Mr. 
Pierce  —  Fourth  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Eastman  —  Fifth  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis  — 


xvi  CONTENTS.. 

Sixth  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Orcutt  —  Seventh  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Allen  —  Eighth  pastor, 
Rev.  Mr.  Jones  —  List  of  deacons  —  First  meeting-house  of  North  Reading  — 
Second  meeting-house  —  Third  meeting-house —  Universalists  become  the  own- 
ers —  Orthodox  portion  of  parish  separate  and  erect  a  new  meeting-house —  Par- 
ish meeting-house  remodelled — Town  Hall  —  Succession  of  Universalist  pastors 

—  Baptist  Church  and  Society  of  North  Reading  organized  —  Opposition  encoun- 
tered—  First  meeting-house  erected  —  Succession  of  pastors  and  biography  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Heath — Meeting-house  burnt  and  second  meeting-house  erected  — 
Succession  of  deacons  —  Licentiates  —  Notice  of  Dea.  Eliab  Parker,  Jr. —  Old 
South  Church,  of  Reading  —  First  minister,  Thomas  Haven — Brief  notice  of 
his  death — Graves  of  himself  and  wife  —  Second  pastor,  Rev.  Peter  Sanborn  — 
A  difficult  field  and  a  stormy  council  —  Great  revivals  —  Mr.  Sanborn's  marriages 

—  Third  pastor,  Rev.  Samuel  Green  —  His  principal  publications  —  Early  life  — 
Fourth  pastor,  Rev.  Jared  Reid  —  Fifth  pastor,  Rev.  Aaron  Pickett  —  Early  life 
— .Funeral  sermon — Sixth  pastor,  Rev.  Lyman  Whiting,  D.  D.  —  Early  life  — 
Marriage  —  Publications  —  Seventh   pastor,  Rev.  Wm.  Barrows  —  Early  life  — 
His  preaching — His  writings  —  Marriages  —  Deacons  of  Old  South  Church  — 
Liberal  Church  in  Reading  —  Its  formation  —  Original  members  —  Church  edi- 
fice—  Occasional  preachers  —  Union  of  First  and  Second  Universalist  Societies 

—  Rev.  G.  G.  Strickland — Rev.    Mr.  Waitt  —  Liberal   Ladies'  Association  — 
Rev.  N.  R.   Wright  —  Rev.  S.  M.  Barrington  —  War  of  Rebellion  —  Creed  — 
Generous    donations  —  New  church   building  —  Salem   Street   Baptist  Church, 
Reading — Its    formation  —  Original   members  —  Years   of  trial  —  Erection   of 
church  edifice  —  Missionary  work  —  Ministers  —  Church  officers,  etc  —  Second 
Advent  Society  of  Wakefield  organized  —  St.  Joseph's  Church  (Roman  Catholic) 
of  \Vakefield  organized  —  Meeting-house  erected  —  Pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Fitzpatrick 

—  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  Society  organized  —  First  pastor,  Rev.  Mr. 
Potter  —  Place  of  worship  —  Second  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Gray —  Third  pastor,  Rev. 
Mr.  Atkins — Purchase  of  Albion  Hall  building — Bequest  of  Mis.  Jennings  — 
Episcopalian   Society  of  Wakefield  organized  —  Bethesda   Church,  Reading  — 
And  additional  Church  history. 


CHAPTER 

[PAGES  242-272.] 

EDUCATION. 

First  educational  town  action,  in  1680  —  First  Free  School,  in  1693  —  First  teacher 
—  First  school-house  erected  between  1694  and  1707  —  Early  members  of  School 
Committee  and  appropriations  —  Annual  appropriations  from  1780  to  1811  — 
Town  votes  respecting  schools  and  school-houses  —  Three  new  school-houses 
built  in  Wakefield  in  1799  —  Description  of  school-house  formerly  located  on  the 
Common  —  Grammar  School  established  in  1791 — First  regular  School  Com- 
mittee chosen  by  the  town  in  1792  —  Names  of  Committee  Men  until  1811,  in- 
clusive —  School  Committee's  Reports  —  List  of  early  teachers  of  Reading  prior 
to  year  1800  —  School  history  of  South  Reading  (now  Wakefield)  from  1812  — 
South  Reading  Academy,  incorporated  1829  —  Names  of  early  Trustees  —  Town 
House  erected  in  1834,  with  two  rooms  therein  for  scho.  Is  —  High  School  cslab- 


CONTENTS.  xvii 

lished  in  1845  —  List  of  teachers  and  graduates  —  Presentation  of  diplomas  to 
first  graduates,  and  speech  of  the  Senior  Member  of  Committee  (Hon.  Lilley  Eaton) 
—  Purchase  of  South  Reading  Academy  building  in  1847  —  Annual  appropria- 
tions of  the  town  of  Wakefield  since  its  incorporation  as  South  Reading —  Names 
of  School  Committees  since  1812 — School  statistics  for  1873  —  School  history 
of  the  town  of  Reading  since  1811  —  Annual  appropriations  by  Reading  for 
schools,  since  1811  —  Members  of  School  Committee  since  1811  —  School  his- 
tory of  the  town  of  North  Reading  —  High  School  in  1868  —  Set  off  from  Read- 
ing, 1853  —  Annual  appropriations  —  School  Committees  from  1812 — Private 
Academy  —  Statistics  of  Schools  in  the  three  towns  in  1867-8. 


CHAPTER     VI.. 

[PAGES  873-280.) 

MILITARY  AFFAIRS. 

First  military  corps  of  Reading  —  First  captain,  Walker  —  Indian  warfare  —  Second 
captain,  Poole  —  Third  and  fourth  captains,  Brown  and  Swain  —  List  of  succes- 
sive commanders  —  Personal  descriptions  of  officers,  and  training  days  —  Grog 
and  gingerbread  —  Martial  and  other  spirit  —  Music  —  Its  last  (not  least)  captain, 
and  its  death  —  Military  organizations  in  North  and  West  Parishes  —  Successive 
captains  —  Formation  of  cavalry  company,  about  1800  —  Its  commanders  —  Or- 
ganization of  company  of  riflemen,  about  1812  —  Its  first  officers  and  members  — 
Change  of  uniform  and  name  —  Roll  of  the  company  in  1814  —  Formation  of  the 
Richardson  Light  Guard  —  Its  first  commissioned  officers  —  Adoption  of  name  — 
Successive  captains  —  Response  to  the  order  to  march  in  defence  of  the  National 
Capital,  April  19,  1861  —  Preparations  for  the  march  —  Roll  of  the  company  — 
Departure  —  Subsequent  movements  and  return. 


CHAPTER     VII. 

[PACKS  281-295.] 

MUNICIPAL  AFFAIRS. 

Selectmen  of  Reading,  from  1647  to  1868—  Selectmen  of  Wakefield,  from  1812  to 
1873  —  Town  Clerks  of  Reading,  from  1644  to  1862  —  Town  Clerks  of  Wake- 
field,  from  1812  to  1873  —  Representatives  from  Reading,  from  1650  to  1870  — 
Representatives  from  Wakefield,  from  1812  to  1873  —  Representatives  from 
North  Reading,  from  1854  to  1863  —  Senators,  from  1815  to  1873  —  Councillors 
—  Delegates  to  Constitutional  Conventions  —  Delegates  to  First  Provincial  Con- 
gress—  Civil  Officers  of  Wakefield,  Reading,  and  North  Reading,  with  dates  of 
commissions,  up  to  1869. 
c 


CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER     VIII. 

[PAGES  296-320.] 

DESCRIPTIVE  LIST  OF  INHABITANTS  AND  DWELLING-HOUSES  IN  THE  THIRD 
PARISH,  NOW  READING,  AT  ABOUT  THE  TIME  OF  ITS  INCORPORATION  AS  A 
PARISH,  1769. 

Capt.  Samuel  Bancroft,  Dea.  Samuel  Bancroft,  James  Bancroft,  Esq.,  Lieut.  Joseph 
Bancroft,  William  Bancroft,  Captain  Abraham  Foster,  Widow  Abigail  Merrow, 
Thomas  Richardson,  Joseph  Bancroft,  Emory  Bancroft,  John  Boutwell,  Isaac 
Burnap,  Wid.  Mary  Merrow,  Andrew  Beard,  Nathaniel  Batchelder,  David  Batch- 
elder,  Samuel  Damon,  Joseph  Damon,  Lieut  Jonathan  Eaton,  Thomas  Eaton,  Sr.» 
Joshua  Eaton,  Thomas  Eaton,  3d,  James  Eaton,  Ebenezer  Emerson,  Nathaniel 
Emerson,  John  Emerson,  Samuel  Farley,  Widow  Felch,  Captain  Abraham  Fos- 
ter, Jonathan  Foster,  Benjamin  Foster,  Timothy  Hartshorn,  Jonathan  Nichols, 
Richard  Nichols,  John  Nichols,  Richard  Nichols,  Capt.  Nathan  Parker  (haunted 
house),  Col.  Nathan  Parker,  John  Parker,  Benjamin  Parker,  Phineas  Parker, 
Daniel  Parker,  Jonathan  Parker,  Ephraim  Parker,  Joseph  Parker,  Amos  Pierson, 
Timothy  Pratt,  Sr.,  Timothy  Pratt,  Jr.,  Samuel  Pratt,  Dea.  Timothy  Pratt,  Jr., 
Daniel  Pratt,  James  Weston,  Dea.  David  Emerson,  Edward  Richardson,  Thomas 
Symonds,  Jeremiah  Swain,  Jacob  Swain,  Thomas  Hartshorn,  Jacob  Townsend, 
Jonathan  Temple,  Lieut.  John  Temple,  Dea.  John  Temple,  Isaac  Weston,  John 
Weston,  John  Weston,  Jr.,  Jonathan  Weston. 


CHAPTER     IX. 

[PAGES  321-408.] 

SOUTH  READING,  1812. 

Causes  which  led  to  its  incorporation  —  "  Federalists  "  and  "  Republicans  "  —  De- 
scription of  the  town's  appearance  in  1812  —  Stage  to  Boston  —  Roads  —  Build- 
ings —  Number  of  inhabitants  —  Valuation  —  Taxes  —  Common  —  Old  masters 
and  early  female  teachers  —  Religious  Societies  —  Old  burial-ground  —  Engine 
company  —  Dwelling-houses  —  Descriptive  sketches  of  owners  of  dwellings  at 
that  time  —  On  Main  Street:  Lemuel  Tileston,  Joshua  Burnham,  Thomas  Mel- 
burn,  James  Gould,  Eleazer  Baker,  Charles  Nichols,  Thomas  Clement,  Joseph 
Cordis,  William  Stimpson,  Thomas  Evans,  Sen.,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Nelson,  Jonathan 
Emerson,  Widow  Olive  Newell,  John  White,  Sen.,  Jesse  Carter,  Lilley  Eaton, 
John  Gould,  Jeremiah  Bryant,  Thomas  Emerson,  Jr.,  (Hon.)  William  Williams, 
Stephen  Hale,  Lilley  Eaton,  Sen.,  Jacob  Eaton,  Burrage  Yale,  Thomas  Bryant, 
Aaron  Bryant,  John  Rayner,  Archibald  Smith,  Samuel  Wiley,  Joseph  Bryant, 
Cornelius  Sweetser,  Noah  Smith,  Paul  Sweetser,  Sen.,  Adam  Hawkes,  Jr., 
Caleb  Foster,  Paul  Sweetser,  Jr.,  Joshua  Tweed,  Benjamin  B.  Wiley,  John  Hart, 
Doctor  Spaulding,  Jonathan  Evans,  Samuel  Evans,  Nathan  Bryant,  John  Waitt, 


CONTENTS,  xix 

Aaron  Green,  Benjamin  Emerson,  Jr.,  Charles  Green  —  On  Greenwood  Street  : 
Reuben  Green,  Nathan  Green  —  On  Oak  Street:  Benjamin  Walton,  William 
Williams  —  On  Nahant  Street :  Joseph  Eaton,  George  Sweetser,  Capt.  Thomas 
Emerson,  Sen.,  Benjamin  Emerson,  John  Smith  —  On  Water  Street :  Nathaniel 
Wiley,  Leonard  Wiley,  Jeremiah  Green,  John  Vinton,  James  Wiley,  Peter  B. 
Wiley,  Eli  Wiley  —  On  Salem  Street:  Thomas  Evans,  Jr.,  Thomas  Swain, 
Molly  Parker,  Lemuel  Sweetser,  Timothy  Poole,  Benjamin  Badger  (Sen.  and 
Jr.),  Amos  Evans,  Elizabeth  Bryant,  James  Walton,  Thomas  Woodward,  Eben- 
ezer  Bryant,  Thomas  Skinner,  William  Patch,  Jeremiah  Brown,  William  Brown, 
John  Brown,  Samuel  Peters,  Michael  Burditt,  William  Gould,  Daniel  Gould, 
Issachar  Stowell,  Benjamin  Peters,  John  Brown,  2d,  Timothy  Walton,  Ebenezer 
Walton,  Andrew  Walton,  Oliver  Walton,  Sen.,  Adam  Hawkes  —  On  Vernon 
Street :  Peter  Gould,  John  Sweetser,  Thomas  Swain,  Caleb  Green,  Jonathan 
Pratt  —  On  Lowell  Street :  Elijah  Merrill,  Reuben  Newhall,  Samuel  Sweetser, 
Lydia  Sweetser,  Aaron  Burditt,  Thomas  Parker,  James  Burditt,  Edward  Burditt, 
James  Grain,  Widow  Sarah  Burditt,  John  Burditt  — On  Church  Street :  Reuben 
Emerson,  David  Gardner,  William  Deadman,  Nathaniel  Brown,  James  Harts- 
horn, Jr.,  Francis  Hay,  Ebenezer  Wiley,  Joseph  Atwell,  Henry  Knight,  William 
Emerson  —  On  Elm  Street :  Amos  Boardman,  Timothy  Kinsman,  James  Nich- 
ols, John  Hay,  James  Hartshorn,  Sen.,  Jeremiah  Hartshorn,  Benjamin  Swain, 
Suel  Winn,  William  Simpson,  Rebecca  Bryant,  James  Boutwell,  David  Smith, 
William  Lambert,  John  Lambert,  Davis  Foster  —  On  Prospect  Street :  John  B. 
Atwell,  Aaron  Cowdrey,  Jesse  Dike,  Jesse  Pope,  William  Beard,  Cornelius 
Sweetser,  Jr.,  Joseph  Hopkins,  Ebenezer  Hopkins  —  On  Cedar  Street:  James 
Emerson  (Sen.  and  Jr.),  Enoch  Stocker,  Charles  Gould,  Daniel  Gould. 


CHAPTER    X. 

[PAGES  409-461.] 

FROM  1812  TO  1844,  INCLUSIVE. 

Act  of  Incorporation  of  town  of  South  Reading  —  First  meeting  of  new  town,  and 
list  of  town  officers  elected  —  Second  meeting  and  town  action  — War  of  1812 

—  Resolutions  adopted  —  Wood  for  Schools  —  Action  against  Jonas  Parker  for 
trespass  —  Petition  for  a  Congressional  Representative  District  —  Celebration 
of  the  return  of  peace,   1815  — Great  gale  — Bell  purchased  by  town  —  Disa- 
greement between  members  of   School  Committee  regarding  teacher,  and  its 
results,  1827  —  Incorporation  of  South  Reading  Academy— Lyceum  organized 

—  Law  cases — Emerson  versus  Wiley  decided  —  Celebration  of  Independence, 
1832 — Town  statistics,  1832 —  Dedication  of  Universalist  meeting-house,  1839 

—  Ornamental  trees  planted,  1842  —  Work  commenced  on  Boston  and  Maine 
Railroad  (extension),   1844  —  Bi-Centennial  Celebration  of  First  Parish  —  Bi- 
Centennial  Celebration  by  the  united  action  of  the  towns  of  Reading  and  South 
Reading  —  Account  of  celebration —  Address  by  James  Flint,  D.  it.  —  Poem  by 
Hon.  Lilley  Eaton. 


XX  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER     XL 

[PAGES  462-480.] 

HISTORICAL  RECORD  OF  WAKEFIELD  FROM  1845  TO  1874. 

Notable  events  —  Important  town  action  —  Laying  out  of  new  streets  and  naming  of 
old  ones*  etc. 

CHAPTER     XII. 

[PAGES  481-566.] 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Situation  —  Soil  —  Topography  —  Manufactures  —  Trade  —  Public  buildings  —  Pop- 
ulation —  Valuation  —  Railroads  —  Rivers  —  Lakes  —  Mills,  etc. 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

[PAGBS  567-573.] 

BURIAL-GROUNDS. 
Location  —  Epitaphs  —  Description  of  Lake  Side  Cemetery,  etc. 

CHAPTER     XIV. 

[PAGES  574-6S7-] 

REBELLION  RECORD. 

The  memorable  igth  of  April,  1861  —  Departure  of  the  Richardson  Light  Guard  for 
Washington  —  Service  at  the  National  Capital  —  The  Virginian  campaign  — 
Prisoners  at  Bull  Run  —  Expiration  of  three,  months'  term  —  Return  and  recep- 
tion—Recruiting of  three  years'  men  —  Sixteenth  Massachusetts  —  Army  of 
the  Potomac  —  Flag  raising,  July  4,  1861  — Return  of  prisoners  captured  in  Bull 
Run  battle  —  Account  of  their  home  reception  —  Third  enlistment  of  the  Rich- 
ardson Light  Guard  for  one  hundred  days  —  Relief  and  Sanitary  Associations 
—  Triumphal  review  at  Washington  of  the  returning  victorious  troops  from 
Richmond  —  Rolls  of  Enlistment,  South  Reading,  Reading,  and  North  Read- 
ing—  Roll  of  Company  E,  Sixteenth  Massachusetts,  regular  service,  three  years' 
enlistment  —  Roll  of  Company  D,  Fiftieth  Massachusetts,  nine  months'  service, 
1862-3 — Roll  of  Company  E,  Fiftieth  Massachusetts,  nine  months'  service, 
1862-3  —  Report  of  Recruiting  Committee  of  town  of  South  Reading  — .List  of 
enrolled  men,  and  amount  paid  by  each  in  aid  of  filling  quota,  under  call  of  July 
18  1864 — Names  of  volunteers  under  call  of  July  18,  1864. 


CONTENTS.  xxi 

CHAPTER     XV. 

[PAGES  658-683.] 

LIFE  SKKTCHES  OF  DR.  NATHAN  RICHARDSON,  HON.  JOHN  PRENTISS,  HON. 
THOMAS  EMERSON,  HON.  LILLEY  EATON,  HON.  PAUL  HART  SwkETSEK,  DR. 
SOLON  O.  RICHARDSON,  AND  CYRUS  WAKEFIELD. 


APPENDIX. 


A.  INDIAN  DEED  OF  LYNN  AND  READING. 

B     ") 

P,*    [-LAYING  OUT  OF  NORTH  PARISH,  IN  1666. 

D.  LIST  OF  SOLDIERS  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 

E.  PETITION  OF  NORTH  PRECINCT  TO  THE  TOWN  FOR  AID,  IN  1719. 

F.  REV.  RICHARD  BROWN'S  PETITION,  1719. 

G.  SOLDIERS  IN  FRENCH  AND  INDIAN  WARS,  1745  TO   1760. 

H.  ROLLS  OF  THE  THREE  MILITARY  COMPANIES  OF  READING,  1775. 
HH.    REVOLUTIONARY   HISTORY  AND  REMINISCENCES. 
I.      COL.  BENJAMIN  BROWN'S  LETTER  FROM  THE  SEAT  OF  WAR,  1776. 
J.     ANECDOTES  OF    CAPT.   JAMES   BANCROFT,  AND   LETTER  OF    HIS 

WIFE,  1777. 

K..   LIST  OF  DONATION  PEOPLE,  1775. 
L,.    BIOGRAPHY  OF    HON.  JOHN    HART,  BY  HIS   SON,   DR.   SAMUEL 

HART. 

M.  CEREMONIES  AT  WAKEFIELD  ON  ITS  CHANGE  OF  NAME. 
N.  CEREMONIES  AT   READING  AT  THE   DEDICATION   OF    SOLDIERS' 

MONUMENT. 
O.  OWNERS  OR  OCCUPANTS  OF  DWELLING-HOUSES,  FROM   1765  TO 

1865,   OR   LATER. 

P.   INAUGURAL   EXERCISES,  AT   WAKEFIELD,    IN    DEDICATING   NEW 

TOWN  HALL. 
Q.   DEDICATION  OF  NEW  HIGH   SCHOOL  BUILDING,  IN  WAKEFIELD, 

OCT.  10,  1872. 

R.  AGREEMENT  WITH  MILL-OWNERS  ON   SAUGUS  RIVER. 
S.    LEGISLATIVE  ACT  FOR  SUPPLYING  WAKEFIELD  WITH  WATER. 


LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PACK. 

ABBOTT,   EBENEZER  T.   (Portrait)  ...» 43 

BECKWITH,  R.  S.                      " 587 

BARNARD,  B.  F.                         "                 579 

BATCHELDER,  GEORGE          " 46 

BATCHELDER,   JOHN              •• 301 

BAPTIST   CHURCH,  WAKEFIELD 507 

BOSTON  AND  MAINE  FOUNDRY,   WAKEFIELD 488 

EATON,    LILLEY   (Portrait) Frontitfiiece. 

EATON,  JOSEPH   H.    " 67 

EATON,   JOSEPH           " 98 

EATON,  J.    S.                  " 340 

EATON  (COAT  OF  ARMS) Pre/act. 

EATON    MANSION 339 

EATON   (LILLEY'S  LATE  RESIDENCE) 341 

EMERSON,  THOMAS   (Portrait) 662 

EMERSON,  MRS.  RUTH     " 344 

FLINT,  ADDISON                 «« 76 

FLINT,  CHARLES    F.           " 78 

FLINT,  DANIEL                    " 77 

HART,  SAMUEL                     " 363 

HARTSHORN,  JAMES         "      .                                393 

HAY,  JOHN                              " 93 

HAY,    WILLIAM                      " 91 

HILL,  CHARLES  H.             " 34* 

KINGMAN,   SAMUEL          " 404 

McKAY,  THOMAS                  " 596 

MEETING-HOUSE  ERECTED  IN   1688 303 

PARKER,    RICHARD    (Portrait) 3'» 

PRENTISS,  CALEB              " 193 

PRENTISS,  JOHN                 " 194 

RATTAN  WORKS,  WAKEFIELD 484,485 

RICHARDSON,  NATHAN   (Portrait) 658 

RICHARDSON,  SOLON  O.       "                                              671 


xxjv  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PACK. 

SANBORN,  PETER  (Portrait) «89 

SMITH,   NOAH  " 353 

SMITH,   NOAH,    JR.  " 354 

SWEETSER,  PAUL   H.  " 668 

TWEED,   BENJAMIN    F.  " 357 

UPTON,   EDWARD  " I2° 

WAKEFIELD,   CALEB  "..... 122 

WAKEFIELD,   HORACE   P.       " •  "3 

WAKEFIELD,   CYRUS  " 6" 

WAKEFIELD,   C.    (LATE  RESIDENCE    OF) 5<>S 

WAKEFIELD   HALL S10 

WARREN,    HORACE    M.    (Portrait) S?8 

WHITE,  JOHN  " 338 

WILEY,  BENJAMIN  B.  " "8 

WILEY,   FREDERIC   S.  "  359 

WOODFIN,  J.  H.  " 575 


GENERAL    INDEX. 


PACK. 

Act  incorporating  town  of  South  Reading      ......  409 

Third  Parish rfr->.  164 

Act  of  Legislature  for  supplying  water  to  Wakefield  and  Stoneham      .  811 

Agreement  with  mill-owners,  Saugus  River 810 

Alphabetical  list  of  persons  in  military  and  naval  service,  during  Re- 
bellion, from  South  Reading    ........  600 

Alphabetical  list  of  persons  in  military  and  naval  service,  during  Re- 
bellion, from  Reading       .........  633 

Alphabetical  list  of  persons  in  military  and  naval  service,  during  Re- 
bellion, from  North  Reading » "•  650 

Anecdotes  of  Capt.  James  Bancroft,  and  wife's  letter  (1777)  .        ;        i   ;  703 


Banking  institutions         . .;•    .  540 

Baptist  Church  edifice,  Wakefield 506 

Biographical  sketch  of  Hon.  John  Hart 716 

Boston  and  Maine  Foundry      .        .        .        .        .        .        .     •  .    •'    ',  487 

Burial-grounds  and  epitaphs 567 


Cemetery,  Reading  .         . •  54' 

Centennial  Celebration,  1844  (Parish) 425 

"    (Town) 426 

Centennial  Poem,  1844    .        .        .        .        .        .        ...«/•   *<i    ..  427 

Chronological  and  historical  sketches,  1700  to  iSi2        .        .        .        .  ,v  128-202 

Civil  officers     .        ........    *'•..•.•'.        .        .  293-295 

College  graduates 471-474 


Dedication  of  Soldiers'  Monument,  Reading . 749 

"  "  High  School  building,  Wakefield 789 

Descriptive  list,  inhabitants  of  Third  Parish,  1769 296-320 

"  "  "  "  First  Parish,  1812 321-408 

Division  of  lands,  and  minister's  rates,  1692 37 

Donation  people,  list  of,  1775  .  .'.•.'.  .  .  .  ''  7'5 
d 


xxvi  GENERAL  INDEX. 

PAGE. 

Earliest  list  of  male  inhabitants 1 1 

Early  settlers,  arranged  alphabetically     .         .         .         ...         .         .  42-127 

Ecclesiastical  history 203-241 

Education 242 

Enrolled  men,  South  Reading 654 


Female  Antislavery  Society,  Reading      .  .         .         .         .         .  515 


Historical  incidents,  1639  to  1700 '.  1-41 

"                 "         1700  to  1812 128-202 

"                 "         1812  to  1844 409-461 

"         1844  to  1874 462-471 


In  memoriam 658 

Inaugural  ceremonies,  Wakefield,  change  of  name          ....  723 

"         exercises,  "  hall  dedication 760 

Indian  deed  of  Lynn  and  Reading 687 


Lakeside  Cemetery,  Wakefield 57 l 

Lawyers 472 

Letter  of  Col.  Benjamin  Brown  from  seat  of  war,  1776          ...  711 

Libraries  of  Reading 5*3 

"   Wakefield 496 

Local  manufactures,  Wakefield 482 

"              "            Reading S25 


Mercantile  affairs     .         ..........  521 

Military  affairs          .....         •         .....  273 

Minister  rates  in  1666      ...         .......  19 

Miscellaneous  ............  4°i 

Municipal  affairs      .....         ......  2°I 


New  buildings  in  Wakefield    .........  5°6 

Newspapers       "  "  ...         ...... 

North  Parish,  laying  out  of,  1666     ...         .....  692 


Old  dwellings  in  Wakefield  .  < 5°2 

Owners  of  dwellings  in  1667 • 

"  "          or  occupants,  1765  to  1865 759 


Personal  reminiscences  (by  Hiram  Barrus) 545, 

Petition  of  North  Parish,  in  1719 696 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


XXVll 


FAGS. 

Petition  of  Rev.  Richard  Brown,  1719 -".    •  697 

Physicians        .        .        ....        .        .        .        .        ..       ....        473. 564 

Population 501 

Poem,  flag-raising  in  1 86 1 583 

"       Wakefield  Town  Celebration       ........  741 

"                "        Hall  Dedication .        .        .        .  *     .        .        .        .  776 

"      Grand  Review  at  Washington 598 

Post-office,  Reading 511 

Professional 472 

Railroads .          510,518 

Rattan  Works,  Wakefield .  483 

Rebellion  history 574 

"        record,  South  Reading 600 

"              "       Reading 633 

"              "      North  Reading 650 

Representatives 290 

Residents  of  Reading  doing  business  in  Boston 552 

Revolutionary  history  (by  Hiram  Barrus) 700 

Rolls  of  the  three  military  companies  of  Reading,  1775         .        .        .  698 

Roll  of  Company  E,  i6th  Massachusetts  Regiment        ....  651 

"            "         D,  50th            "                   " 652 

"            «         E,  soth            "                    " 653 


Selectmen 

Senators  

School  appropriations 

"      Committees,  before  1812      . 

"  "  after  1812         . 

"      graduates 

"       history 

"      teachers 

Sketch,  life  of  Dr.  Nathan  Richardson  . 

"  "      Hon.  John  Prentiss 

"  "      Hon.  Thomas  Emerson  . 

"  "      Hon.  Lilley  Eaton  . 

«•  "      Hon.  P.  H.  Sweetser 

«'  "      Dr.  S.  O.  Richardson 

"  "      Cyrus  Wakefield      . 

Slaves       

Soldiers  in  French  and  Indian  Wars,  1745  to  1760 

"  Revolutionary  War        . 

Subscription,  new  meeting-house,  1688  . 


281 
292 

244,260 
247 

261,  262 

259,  266 

242-272 

248-250 

658 

661 

663 

665 
668 

671 
677 
542 
697 
693 
34 


Topography 


481 


xxviii  GENERAL  INDEX. 

PAGE. 

Tornadoes' 543 

Town  clerks 289 

\ 

Valuation •••  5O1 

Volunteers,  South  Reading,  call  of  1864 657 


War  of  1812 4" 

War  of  Rebellion 574 


Years,  from  1639  to  1700 1-41 

"  "  1701  to  1811 128-202 

"  "  1812  to  1844 409-461 

"  "  1845101874 •'  .  .  '  .  '  462-471 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  1767 158 


CHAPTER  I. 


HISTORY   OF  READING. 

INCLUDING    THE    PRESENT   TOWNS    OF  WAKEFIELD,  READING,  AND    NORTH 

READING. 


—  THE  old  town  of  "Redding"  as  it  is  written  in  the  early  rec- 
ords of  the  town,  and  in  its  act  of  incorporation,  began  to  be  settled  in 
1639.  In  this  year  was  it  born,  and  its  birth  was  duly  chronicled  in  the 
Colonial  records,  thenceforward  to  live,  improve,  and,  from  time  to  time, 
to  write  its  name  and  its  fame  in  the  annals  of  its  country's  story.  Until 
this  year  (1639)  it  had  remained  in  almost  primeval  solitude  ;  the  light 
of  civilization  had  not  penetrated  its  shadowy  forests,  or  its  march 
subdued  the  roughness  of  its  scenery  or  the  wildness  of  its  inhabi- 
tants. A  few  Indian  lodges,  scattered  along  its  rivers  and  around  its 
lakes,  for  purposes  of  hunting  and  fishing  ;  and  about  the  cellar-holes 
and  sites  of  whose  ancient  wigwams  are  still  found,  occasionally,  the 
granite  arrow  and  tomahawk  heads  :  these  afforded  its  only  evidence 
of  human  denizens 

This  particular  territory  was  claimed  as  a  part  of  the  domain  and 
hunting-grounds  of  the  Saugus  tribe  of  Indians,  whose  chief  seat,  and 
the  residence  of  whose  sachem,  was  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  sea,  in 
the  heart  of  what  is  now  the  city  of  Lynn,  but  then  called  Saugus. 

The  township  of  Lynn  had  begun  to  be  settled  in  1629,  ten  years 
before,  and  its  inhabitants  desired  to  extend  their  territory  farther  in- 
land. 

Accordingly,  we  find  that  in  this  year,  1639,  sundry  inhabitants  of 
Lynn  petitioned  the  Colony  Court  for  a  place  for  an  inland  plantation 
at  the  head  of  their  bounds.  Their  bounds,  at  said  date,  included  the 
present  towns  of  Saugus  and  Lynnfield,  then  unsettled. 

The  Court  granted  the  aforesaid  petition,  and  gave  the  town  of  Lynn 
"  four  miles  square,"  at  the  head  of  their  bounds,  or  so  much  thereof 
as  the  place  will  afford,  upon  condition  that  the  petitioners  shall,  within 
two  years,  make  some  good  proceeding  in  planting,  so  as  it  may  be  a 


2  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

village,  fit  to  contain  a  convenient  number  of  inhabitants,  which  may 
in  due  time  have  a  church  there ;  and  so  as  such  as  shall  remove  to 
inhabit  there,  shall  not  withal  keep  their  accommodations  in  Lynn,  after 
their  removal  to  the  said  village,  upon  pain  to  forfeit  their  interest  in 
one  of  them,  at  their  election." 

Under  this  grant  the  settlement  commenced.  The  earliest  settlers 
of  this  territory  were  probably  all  from  among  the  early  settlers  of 
Lynn.  In  1640,  the  Court  further  ordered,  "that  'Lynn  Village,'"  the 
name  first  given  to  the  territory,  "should  be  exempted  from  taxes  as 
soon  as  seven  houses  should  be  built,  and  seven  families  settled." 

In  1644,  a  sufficient  number  of  houses  having  been  built,  and  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  families  having  been  settled,  the  Court  further  ordered, 
"that  'Lynn  Village'  should  take  the  name  of  'Redding.'  " 

This  last  order  of  the  General  Court  constitutes  the  act  of  incorpo- 
ration of  the  old  town  of  Reading. 

It  was  named,  it  is  presumed,  in  honor  and  memory  of  Reading  in 
England,  whence  some  of  the  first  settlers  of  Lynn  Village,  it  is  said, 
emigrated. 

"  Reading,  England,  is  a  borough  and  market  town,  having  separate 
jurisdiction,  in  the  county  of  Berks,  twenty-six  miles  (S.  E.  by  S.)  from 
Abingdon,  and  thirty-nine  miles  (W.  by  S.)  from  London.  Population 
in  1831  was  sixteen  thousand.  It  is  supposed  to  have  derived  its  name 
either  from  the  British  word  '  redinj  signifying  fern,  with  which  the 
soil  abounded  ;  or  from  '  rhyd}  a  ford,  and  '  ing*  a  meadow,  which,  from 
its  situation  on  a  tract  of  land  intersected  by  the  river  Kennet,  appears 
to  be  the  more  probable.  It  is  a  very  ancient  town.  It  was  taken 
from  the  Saxons  by  the  Danes  in  871,  and  was  the  scene  of  several 
important  ancient  battles. 

"  It  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Kennet,  which, 
after  passing  through  it,  divides  into  two  branches,  uniting  again  pre- 
viously to  its  confluence  with  the  Thames.  It  is  in  form  an  equilateral 
triangle  ;  is  well  paved  ;  lighted  with  gas ;  contains  a  public  library, 
grammar,  Lancasterian,  and  other  schools  ;  has  been  formerly  engaged 
extensively  in  the  manufacture  of  woollen  cloth,  sheeting,  sail  cloth, 
pins,  etc.,  and  contains  iron  foundries,  breweries,  and  boat-building 
establishments,  and  is,  moreover,  largely  engaged  in  the  flour  and  grain 
trade.  It  has  an  abbey  and  vicarage,  one  Roman  Catholic,  three  Bap- 
tist, two  Independent  churches,  and  one  church  each  of  Friends  and 
Methodists.  William,  archbishop  of  Bourdeaux,  in  the  reign  of  Henry 
III,  and  Archbishop  Laud,  principal  minister  of  Charles  I,  who  was 
beheaded  on  Tower  Hill  in  1644,  were  natives  of  Reading." 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  3 

Our  town  of  Reading,  when  incorporated,  included,  in  the  "four 
miles  square  grant,"  substantially  the  same  territory  as  now  constitutes 
the  present  towns  of  Reading  and  Wakefield.  The  territory  of  the 
present  town  of  North  Reading  was  added  by  a  subsequent  grant  made 
in  1651. 

This  compass  of  land,  thus  assigned  as  the  town  of  Reading,  contin- 
ued as  a  single  parish,  transacting  its  municipal  and  parochial  affairs 
through  one  and  the  same  executive  until  1713. 

The  earliest  settlements  were  made  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Wake- 
field.  We  are  unable  to  state  precisely  who  were  the  very  first  to  build 
and  locate  upon  the  territory.  It  is  probable  that  several  families  re- 
moved hither  from  Lynn  in  the  same  year,  and  as  early  as  1640. 

The  settlers  who  came  here  before  the  incorporation  of  the  town  in 
1644,  received  their  grants  of  land  probably  from  the  town  of  Lynn. 
The  early  records  of  Lynn,  which  should  give  the  account  of  such 
grants,  are  wanting.  Several  leaves  of  the  first  book  of  records  of 
Reading,  containing  the  doings  of  the  town  for  the  three  or  four  of  the 
first  years,  are  also  wanting. 

These  respective  records,  if  preserved,  would,  doubtless,  have  fur- 
nished more  exact  information  in  relation  to  the  time  and  order  of 
the  arrival  of  the  very  early  settlers.  There  is  reason  to  conclude,  how- 
ever, that  the  following  persons,  with  their  families,  were  inhabitants  at 
or  about  the  year  of  incorporation,  viz. :  — 

Nicholas  Brown,  who  settled  first  on  the  east  side  of  the  Great  Pond, 
where  L.  Beebe,  Esq.,  now  is,  and  afterwards  in  the  east  part  of 
the  town,  where  Edward  Upton  was  in  1868. 

Thomas  Clark. 

John  Damon,  who  settled  on  the  Common,  where  was  formerly  the 
Quannapowitt  House. 

William  Cowdrey,  who  settled  on  Cowdrey's  hill. 

George  Davis. 

Robert  Dunton. 

Samuel  Dunton. 

Josiah  Dustin,  who  settled  near  where  now  is  E.  E.  Emerson's  house. 

Jonas  Eaton,  who  settled  on  Cowdrey's  hill. 

William  Eaton,  who  settled  on  east  side  of  Great  Pond. 

Zackery  Fitch,  who  settled  on  Salem  Street,  near  where  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Aborn  was  in  1868. 

Isaac  Hart,  who  settled  near  where  John  F.  Hartshorn  now  is. 

Thomas  Hartshorn,  who  settled  on  Elm  Street,  where  Joseph  Harts- 
horn now  is. 


4  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

William  Hooper. 

Thomas  Kendall,  who  settled  where  Mrs.  James  Emerson  now  is. 

John  Laukin. 

Thomas  Marshall. 

William  Martin. 

John  Pearson. 

John  Poole,  who  settled  where  the  rattan  factory  now  is. 

Thomas  Parker,  who  settled  on  Lowell  Street,  where  Suel  Winn  lately 

owned. 

Francis  Smith,  who  settled  at  north  end  of  Smith's  Pond. 
John  Smith,  who  settled  at  place  last  named. 
Jeremy  Swayne,  who  settled  in  northeast  part  of  the  town  where  David 

Batchelcler  now  owns. 
Thomas  Taylor. 
Edward  Taylor. 

Richard  Walker,  lived  on  the  place  formerly  owned  by  Major  Suel  Winn. 
Samuel  Walker. 
John  Wiley,  who  settled  in  Woodville. 

1644.: — The  earliest  entry  that  is  found  upon  the  town  records  is 
the  following,  which  was  made  at  the  latter  end  of  the  oldest  book  of 
records,  the  first  few  leaves  thereof  being  lost,  viz. :  — 

"  Articles  agreed  upon  betwixt  the  towne  on  the  one  part  and  John 
Poole  on  the  other  part,  for  the  privilege  of  a  Water  Mill,  for  the  use  and 
service  of  the  towne  :  — 

"  ist.  The  aforesaid  John  Poole  is  to  buyld  the  Mill  and  sett  it  on 
the  end  of  Sargent  Marshall's  lott  by  the  Marsh  meadow  ;  the  same  to 
be  made  fitt  for  use,  able  to  do  the  towns  work,  betwixt  this  and  the 
1 5th  Aug  next  ensuing  ;  ad.  The  said  John  Poole.  is  t6  continue  and 
maintain  the  said  Mill  for  use,  able  and  sufficient  for  the  town's  use,_ 
from  time  to  time,  he  and  his  assigns,  and  to  repair  the  same  at  his 
own  expense,  coste,  and  charge.  3d.  The  towne  of  Reading  hath 
given  and  granted  unto  John  Poole  the  liberty  to  bring  the  River  out 
of  its  natural  course,  in  such  convenient  place  as  may  be  most  meete, 
without  trouble  or  disturbance.  4th.  The  towne  hath  given  liberty  to 
the  said  John  Poole  to  choose  and  take  such,  (land  ?)  for  the  Mill,  as 
shall  be  needful  for  the  Mill  in  any  lott  or  place  about  the  ground. 
5th.  The  towne  doth  also  covenant  with  said  John  Poole  to  bring 
their  corn  to  the  Mill  2  or  3  days  in  the  week  for  grinding  their  grists, 
and  not  have  him  attend  the  whole  week,  unless  more  days  are  required 
to  do  the  work  ;  they  do  likewise  covenant  neither  to  sett  up  nor  to 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


I 


allow  to  be  sett  up  any  other  Mill  within  the  bounds  of  Reading,  to 
hinder  the  custom  of  said  Mill,  so  long  as  the  said  Poole,  his  heirs,  or 
assigns  shall  well  and  sufficiently  grind  (for?)  the  towne's  use." 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  first  meeting-house  was  erected  at  about 
this  time.  There  is  no  record  of  its  erection  ;  but  we  know  by  subse- 
quent references  that  one  had  been  built  before  1657,  as  some  improve- 
ments on  it  were  made  in  that  year.  The  record  of  its  erection  was 
probably  written  upon  those  missing  leaves,  and  was  therefore  erected 
before  1647. 

Tradition  said  it  stood  on  the  Common,  near  where  the  post-office 
building  now  is.  It  was,  no  doubt,  a  rude,  roughly-built  structure  of 
moderate  dimensions. 

"It  was  sold  in  1692  for  twenty-five  shillings  and  a  'watch-house 
frame,'  and  the  money  payd  to  Capt.  Browne  in  part  pay  for  the  scoole." 

1645.  —  1'his  vear>  J645,  the  First  Congregational  Church  was  gath- 
ered, being  the  twelfth  in  the  colony  ;  and  the  Rev.  Henry  Green,  from 
Watertown,  was  ordained  its  first  pastor.     For  further  particulars  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Green,  see  subsequent  account  of  Early  Settlers. 

This  year  the  Court  ordered  that  a  military  guard  should  be  kept  in 
every  town  against  surprise  by  the  Indians. 

A  military  company  had  been  already  formed  in  the  town,  of  which 
Richard  Walker  was  captain. 

The  Court  further  ordered  that  youth  from  ten  to  sixteen  years  old 
shall  be  trained  by  an  officer  of  each  company  on  muster  days  in  the 
use  of  small  guns,  half  pikes,  and  also  of  bows  and  arrows,  lest  the 
Colony  should  be  destitute  of  powder.  This  year  a  synod  of  the 
"  elders  of  the  churches  throughout  the  United  Colonies  met  at  Cam- 
bridge to  agree  upon  some  answers  to  books  written  in  defence  of 
anabaptism  and  other  errors,  and  for  liberty  of  conscience,  as  a  shelter 
for  their  toleration  and  so  forth." 

1646.  —  This  year,  1646,  William  Witter,  of  Lynn,  was  presented  by 
the  grand  jury  at  Salem  court,. for  saying  that  "they  who  stayed  whiles 
a  child  is  baptized,  do  worship  the  divell,  and  do  take  the  name  of  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost  in  vain,"  and  was  required  to  make  public 
confession  to  satisfaction  the  next  Lord's  day,  being  fair,  in  the  open 
congregation  at  Lynn.     This  William  Witter  was  a  Baptist,  and  died  in 
1659,  aged  seventy-five. 


6  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

John  Brock,  the  future  minister  of  Reading,  graduated  at  Harvard 
College  this  year. 

In  a  Town  Rate  of  ,£80,  in  Lynn,  just  before  the  settlement  of  Read- 
ing,— 

£  s. 

John  Poole  was  taxed I  15 

Nicholas  Browne  was  taxed      .......  I  10 

Richard  Walker      "       " I  o 

William  Halsey,  or  Hescey,  was  taxed I  o 

William  Cowdrey                      "      " o  10 

William  Martin                           "       " o  10 

Tho.  Marshall                            "      " o  10 

Zackery  Fitch                              "       " o  10 

The  above-named  persons  all  came  to  Reading. 

1647-6-10. — The  town  ordered,  "that  there  shall  bee  a  genrall 
devision  of  land  and  meadow,  according  to  parsons  and  cattell  ; 
for  evari  parson  tow  akers,  and  to  evari  beste  one  aker ;  and  he,  whose 
estate  will  not  amount  to  tenne  akers,  shall  have  tenne  akers ;  and  no 
man  to  exsede  twenti  akers ;  and  so  for  medow,  he,  whose  estate  will 
not  amount  to  fife  akers,  shall  have  fife  akers  ;  and  so  evari  man  accord- 
ing to  parsons  and  estate,  —  tow  akers  for  a  parson,  and  one  for  a 
beaste." 

Chose  for  committee  to  superintend  this  division,  Wm.  Cowdrey, 
Tho.  Marshall,  John  Smith,  and  Richard  Walker. 

This  was  perhaps  the  first  general  division  of  lands,  and  probably 
referred  to  territory  in  the  central  part  of  what  is  now  Wakefield ;  but 
the  particular  assignment  of  lots,  under  this  order,  has  not  been  pre- 
served. 

This  year  the  General  Court  enacts,  "  that  if  any  young  man  attempt 
to  address  a  young  woman  without  the  consent  of  her  parents,  or,  in 
case  of  their  absence,  of  the  County  Court,  he  shall  be  fined  ^5  for  the 
first  offence,  £10  for  (he  second,  and  imprisonment  for  the  third." 

1648.  —  In  May,  Rev.  Henry  Green,  first  pastor  of  the  church,  died. 

The  church  then  invited  Samuel  Haugh,  of  Boston,  to  supply  in  his 
room.  Mr.  Haugh  commenced  preaching  here  November,  1648,  and 
was  ordained  pastor  March  26,  1650.  For  further  particulars  of  Mr. 
Haugh,  see  subsequent  account  of  Early  Settlers. 

The  names  of  the  brethren  and  sisters  of  the  church  at  Reading,  from 
the  29th  September,  1648,  to  1650,  inclusive,  as  prepared  by  Mr.  Haugh, 
at  the  time  of  his  ordination  :  — 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  7 

Francis  Smith,  William  Martin, 

Mrs.  Frances  Green  (widow),  Tho.  Bancroft, 

William  Cowdrey,  Judith  Poole, 

Joanna  Cowdrey,  Edward  Taylor, 

John  Pearson,  Christiana  Taylor, 

Maudlin  Pearson,  Sister  Martin, 

Brother  Dunton,  Lydia  Laukin, 

Thomas  Kendall,  Elizabeth  Wiley, 

Rebecca  Kendall,  Elizabeth  Hart, 

Thomas  Parker,  Zackery  Fitch, 

Amy  Parker,  Mary  Fitch, 

George  Davis,  William  Eaton, 

William  Hooper,  Martha  Eaton, 

Elizabeth  Hooper,  Jonas  Eaton, 

Mary  Swayne,  Grace  Eaton, 

Joanna  Marshall,  John  Bachelder, 

Tho.  Marshall,  Rebecca  Bachelder, 

Left*  Marshall  and  wife,  Abigail  Damon, 

Tho.  Hartshorn,  Left-  ( John)  Smith, 

Susanna  Hartshorn,  Catharine  Smith. 

N.  B.  —  The  following  persons  were  added  soon  after,  viz. :  — 

Mrs.  Sarah  Haugh,  Lydia  Dustin, 

Samuel  Walker  and  wife,  Alice  Clark. 

This  year,  1648,  the  building  of  a  bridge  over  Ipswich  River,  four 
miles  from  Reading,  on  the  road  from  the  Bay,  nearest,  through  Haver- 
hill  to  the  eastward,  was  provided  for. 

Francis  Smith,  of  Reading,  had  leave  of  the  Court  to  draw  wine  in 
Reading  for  the  refreshing  of  travellers  and  others,  he  paying  excise,  as 
the  law  in  that  case  provides. 

This  year  the  town  ordered  and  agreed  "that  any  six  of  the  towns- 
men, seeing  any  just  cause  for  a  general  meeting,  and  give  warning 
both  of  the  time  and  place,  that  such  men  that  shall  be  absent,  not 
being  able  to  satisfy  the  company,  shall  pay  i2</  for  every  such  de- 
fault ;  and  further,  it  is  agreed  that  if  one  shall  depart  the  meeting,  not 
having  leave,  such  person  shall  pay  6d.  for  every  such  default ;  and  for 
executing  this  order,  they  have  chosen  William  Cowdrey." 

The  town  ordered,  "  that  the  neck  that  is  called  '  Chadwell's  Neck  * 
is  given  to  Timothy  Coper,  and  also  12  akers  of  medow,  upon  thes  con- 
disons :  If  he  come  to  improve  it,  ether  by  bilding  or  by  fencing,  by  the 
last  of  the  3d  month  of  1649 ;  if  he  do  not  come,  the  land  and  medow 
retorns  to  the  towne ;  and  his  heirs  consent  to  pay  50  shillings  to  the 
towne  for  disapoynting  them  of  an  inhabbitant."  He  came  not. 


8  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Town  ordered,  "  that  Goodman  Fitts  (Fitch)  shall  have  full  sattisfact- 
son  for  a  towne  hieway  downe  his  Lot  in  land  contiguous." 

Town  ordered,  "  that  all  F —  boards  and  planks  shall  pay  tow  pence 
uppon  the  hundred,  sold  or  carried  out  off  the  towne." 

In  June,  Margaret  Jones,  of  Charlestown,  was  hung  in  Boston  for 
witchcraft. 

First  election  of  surveyors  of  highways,  chose  John  Poole,  William 
Martin,  Henry  Felch,  and  John  Pearson. 

1649. — Town  ordered,  "that  there  shall  be  no  Mill  Path  through 
Mas.  Haugh's  ground,  nor  no  other  way." 

N.  B.  —  Mr.  Haugh  owned  the  place  recently  owned  by  the  late  Noah 
Smith,  Esq. 

Wm.  Cowdrey  is  chosen  clerk  of  the  writs,  and  Edward  Taylor, 
constable. 

The  office  of  clerk  of  the  writs  included  among  its  duties  the  re- 
cording of  the  action  of  the  town  as  well  as  the  record  of  writs,  issued 
for  trial  of  small  causes. 

This  year,  "  the  towne  ordered  that  there  being  manni  sad  acsidantes 
in  the  Contree  by  fire,  to  the  great  damning  of  manny,  by  joining  of 
barnes  and  haystackes  to  dwelling  houwses,  tharfor  no  barne  nor  hay- 
stacke  shall  be  sett  within  six  polles  of  anni  dwelling  howse  opon  pan- 
nilte  of  twentie  shillings." 

Also  ordered,  "that  every  dwelling  house  shall  have  a  sufficient 
lather  (ladder)  standing  by  the  chimney  for  the  preventing  of  the  dam- 
age of  fire,  and  this  to  be  binding  by  the  tenth  day  of  April,  1650,  opon 
the  pannilte  of  tenne  shillings." 

Three  married  women  were  this  year  fined  five  shillings  apiece  for 
scolding. 

Nicholas  Pinion  was  fined  for  swearing.  Matthew  Stanley,  for  win- 
ning the  affections  of  John  Tarbox's  daughter,  without  her  parents' 
consent,  was  fined  ,£5,  with  2S.  6d.  fees. 

Ralph  Roote  was  "authorized  by  the  court  to  confirm  the  sale  of  a 
house  and  land  in  Reading,  belonging  to  his  daughter  Sarah,  a  minor, 
to  Thomas  Taylor,  of  Watertown. 

1650.  —  Town  granted  to  Tho.  Hartshorn,  "  tanne  (10)  akers  of 
planting  land,  at  the  west  end  of  Wm.  Cowdrey's  houselot,"  upon  this 
condition,  that  it  is  ours  to  give.  Also,  in  the  same  place,  "  2  akers  to 
Tho.  Clarke,  4  a.  to  Goodman  Sawyer,  and  3  a.  to  Tho  Marshall,  viz. 
Clarke  ist,  Hartshorne  2d,  Sawyer  3d,  and  Marshall  4th." 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  9 

Town  agreed  with  John  Smith  for  having  bulles  to  goe  with  the  towne 
heard,  for  one  year,  and  for  the  year  he  is  to  have  £2  IQS. 

Town  ordered  "  that  every  man's  fence  is  to  be  five  rayles,  or  such  a 
fence  as  the  surveyors  of  fences  shall  judge  to  be  equivalent  to  five 
rayles ;  to  be  put  up  for  the  sufficient  keeping  out  of  cattell  and  hogges, 
by  the  ist  month." 

This  year,  March  26,  Rev.  Samuel  Haugh  was  ordained  the  2d  pas- 
tor of  the  church  of  Reading.  See  subsequent  list  of  Early  Settlers. 

June  19,  General  Court  ordered,  "in  answer  to  the  petition  of  Mr. 
Samuel  Haugh,  for  the  confirmation  of  a  ground  of  fower  hundred  acors 
of  land,  formerly  granted  to  Mr.  Atherton  Haugh,  that  his  petition 
should  be  granted,  and  the  aforesaid  land  layed  out  nere  the  bounds  of 
Concord  northwest,  and  the  Court  doth  appoint  Capt.  Willard  and 
Sergt.  Blood  to  lay  out  the  same."  This  land  was  afterwards  sold  to 
Sergt.  Blood. 

The  General  Court  ordered  "a  book  lately  imported  from  England, 
composed  by  Wm.  Pinchon,  of  Springfield,  on  'Redemptional  Justifica- 
tion, to  be  burnt  in  Boston  Market,  and  its  author  called  to  accougt." 
Capt.  Richard  Walker,  the  representative  from  Reading,  and  five 
others,  dissented. 

Johnson,  in  his  "  Wonder  Working  Providence  of  Zion's  Savior  in 
New  England,"  published  about  this  time,  says :  "  That  about  the  year 
1645,  tne  town  of  Reading  had  her  foundation  stone  laid  ;  this  and  the 
town  of  Woburn  were  like  the  twins  in  the  womb  of  Tamer,  Reading 
thrusting  forth  the  hand  first,  but  her  sister  Woburn  came  first  to  the 
birth.  Reading  is  well  watered,  and  situate  about  a  great  pond,  be- 
sides it  hath  two  mills,  the  one  a  Saw-Mill,  the  other  a  Corn-Mill,  which 
stand  on  two  several  streams  ;  it  hath  not  been  so  fruitful  for  children 
as  her  sister  Woburn  hath  ;  her  habitation  is  fallen  in  the  very  centre 
of  the  country ;  they  are  well  stocked  with  cattle  for  the  number  of 
people.  They  have  gathered  into  a  church,  and  ordained  a  pastor  from 
among  themselves  at  the  same  time  ;  a  young  man  of  good  abilities  to 
preach  the  word,  and  of  a  very  humble  behavior,  named  Mr.  Green,  he, 
having  finished  his  course,  departed  this  life  not  long  after,  whose  labors 
are  with  the  Lord.  After  him  succeeded  in  the  place  one  Mr.  Hoph, 
a  young  man,  one  of  the  first  fruits  of  New  England,  a  man  studious  to 
promote  the  truths  of  Christ." 

These  pastors  are  both  remembered  in  the  following  quaint  verse, 
also  written  by  Johnson  :  — 


I0  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

11  On  earth's  bed  thou  at  noon  hast  laid  thy  head, 

You  that  for  Christ  (as  Green)  here  toil  have  taken, 
When  nature  fails,  then  rest  it  in  earth's  dead, 

Till  Christ,  by  's  word,  with  glory  thee  awaken  ; 
Young  Hoph,  thou  must  be  second  to  this  man, 

In  field  encounter  ;  with  Christ's  foes  shall  thou 
Stand  up,  and  take  his  bright  sword  in  thy  hand, 

Error  cut  down,  and  make  stout  Stomach's  bow  ; 
Green 's  gone  before,  thy  warfare  's  now  begun, 

And  last  it  may  to  see  Rome's  Babel  fall ; 
By  weakest  means,  Christ,  mighty  works  hath  done, 

Keep  footing  fast,  till  Christ  thee  hence  do  call." 


1651.  Octo.  —  "The  Court  doth graunt  to  the  inhabitants  of  Read- 
ing, as  an  addition  to  their  former  bounds,  a  certayne  tract  of  land, 
about  two  miles  content,  lying  between  Mr.  Bellingham's  farm  (in  An- 
dover)  and  the  great  river  (Ipswich),  and  so  to  joyne  their  former  fower 
miles  graunt,  so  as  it  hath  not  been  already  graunted  to  any  towne  or 
person,  nor  prejudicing  any  former  graunt."  This  territory  is  now 
North  Reading. 

Town  ordered,  in  ist  month,  "that  every  man  shall  youke  his  hogges 
by  the  6th  of  the  26.  month  next,  upon  penalty  of  paying  sixpence  for 
every  day  that  any  hogg  shall  be  found  unyouked,  after  they  are  to  be 
youked ;  every  youke  is  to  be  as  long  as  the  hogg  is  heigh,  and  to  be 
six  inches  above  his  neck." 

Also,  "  that  no  public  meeting  shall  hould  any  longer  than  one  can 
see  to  wright  or  read  in  the  place  of  meeting ;  and  whatever  is  done 
afterwards  is  of  no  validiti ;  and  any  nine  men  shall  have  power  to  acte 
any  bisseness  that  is  to  be  done  uppon  that  meeting  day." 

Also,  "  that  in  the  greatest  levies  that  shall  be  made,  the  Poll  shall 
be  but  2 s.  6d.  per  head,  and  so  proportionable  for  lesser  levies  ;  —  the 
reste  to  be  put  on  estates." 

Also,  "  that  the  Selectmen  shall  have  power  over  all  prudential  offi- 
cers, except  giving  away  land  and  timber." 

Nicholas  Brown,  Edward  Taylor,  Zackery  Fitch,  and  Jonas  Eaton, 
were  fined  6d.  each  for  being  late  at  town  meeting ;  and  Geo.  Davis 
was  fined  is.  6d.  for  absence. 

John  Clarke,  John  Crandall,  and  Obadiah  Holmes,  came  from  New- 
port and  attended  a  Baptist  meeting  that  was  held  at  the  house  of  Wil- 
liam Witter,  in  Lynn,  where  Mr.  Clarke  began  to  preach.  Here  they 
were  arrested  as  disturbers  of  the  peace,  were  taken  to  Boston,  and 
there  imprisoned  from  the  2oth  to  the  3ist  July,  when  they  were  sen- 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


II 


tenced  by  the  Court  of  Assistants,  —  Mr.  Holmes  to  pay  a  fine  of  £30, 
Mr.  Clarke,  £20,  and  Mr.  Crandall,  .£5. 

The  fines  of  Clarke  and  Crandall  were  paid,  but  Mr.  Holmes  refused 
to  pay  his,  or  surfer  it  to  be  paid,  and  was  retained  in  prison  till  Sep- 
tember, when  he  was  dismissed  with  thirty  stripes. 

The  General  Court  enacted  this  year,  "  that  if  any  males  of  less  prop- 
erty than  £200  wear  gold  or  silver  lace,  or  buttons  or  points  at  their 
knees,  or  walk  in  great  boots  (because  leather  is  scarce),  and  if  any 
females,  not  possessed  of  .£200,  wear  silk  or  tiffany  hoods  or  scarfs, 
they  shall  be  prosecuted  and  fined. 


1652.  —  This  year  the  town  ordered, — 

"  That  the  lottes  that  was  to  be  laid  out  to  be  on  Woburn  line,  is  to 
be  laid  out  on  the  Playne,  and  are  to  begin  at  the  end  next  to  Birchen 
Playne  ;  and  if  the  Playne  will  not  be  enough  for  all,  the  rest  to  be  laid 
out  in  the  Pine  Playne  at  Dirty  Breech  meadow,  and  to  begin  at  the 
hither  end  next  to  the  town." 

Under  this  order  the  lots  were  drawn  as  follows :  — 


Henry  Felch 

Ensign  Marshall 

Jonas  Eaton 

Samuel  Dunton 

Henry  Bellflower 

Tho.  Marshall  (carpenter) 

Isaac  Hart 

John  Smith 

Jeremy  Swayne 

John  Bachelder 

John  Pearson 

Nicholas  Browne 

Capt.  Walker 

Francis  Smith 

Zackery  Fitch 

John  Poole 

Geo.  Davis 


drew 


Acres 
10 
20 
II 

10 

17 

IO 
10 
10 
12 
10 

H 
20 
20 
2O 
18 
20 
II 


Acres 

Jeremy  Fitch  drew  10 

William  Cowdrey  "  20 

Josiah  Dustin  "  10 

Tho.  Parker  "  15 

Tho.  Clarke  "  10 

William  Martin  "  14 

Robert  Dunton  "  10 

Edward  Taylor  f  1 1 

Samuel  Walker  "  14 

William  Hooper  "  10 

Tho.  Kendall  "  14 

John  (or  William)  Laukin  "  10 

William  Eaton  "  10 

Tho.  Taylor  "  10 

John  Damon  "  10 

Robert  Burnap  "  10 

John  Wyley  10 


This  is  the  earliest  complete  list  of  the  male  inhabitants  of  Reading 
to  be  found. 

Ordered  by  the  town  this  year  (1652),  "that  no  man,  after  this  pres- 
ent day,  shall  fall  any  Oak,  Spruce,  or  Pine  trees,  fit  for  boards,  within 
3  miles  of  the  Meeting-house,  except  it  be  for  his  own  use,  upon  the 
penalty  of  5  shillings  for  every  tree  so  fallen  ;  and  if  any  man  shall  fall 


I2  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

any  timber  for  boards,  beyond  the  3  miles,  and  shall  sell  any  of  the 
same  out  of  the  town,  he  shall  pay  12  pence  for  every  hundred  so  sold 
for  the  use  of  the  town." 

1653.  —  Town  ordered  (Jan'y  n)  "that  no  man  shall,  after  the  pres- 
ent day,  fall  any  trees  upon  the  Common  for  firewood,  before  the  old 
wood  is  cut  up,  that  is  fit  to  be  cut  up,  within  a  mile  of  EdwM  Taylor's, 
and  within  a  mile  of  Wm.  Laukin's  ;  nor  shall  any  man  fall  any  trees 
beyond  a  mile  of  Edw'd  Taylor's  or  Wm.  Laukin's,  for  firewood  or  oth- 
erwise, but  shall  cut  up  all  the  bodys  and  all,  upon  penalty  of  i2</.  for 
every  load  of  wood  he  so  falls." 

Also  ordered,  "  that  all  clapboard  trees,  palisade  trees,  rayle  trees, 
and  trees  for  posts  that  are  already  fallen,  shall  be  cut  out  by  the  ist 
April  next  ensuing;  and  that  it  shall  be' lawful  for  any  man  to  take 
them  as  his  own  if  not  so  done." 

Geo.  Davis  and  Tho.  Clarke  were  chosen  to  gather  up  that  part  of 
Mr.  Haugh's  rate  that  will  not  be  freely  payd  without  constraint. 

Town  further  ordered,  "  that  Thomas  Browne,  the  Dish  Turner,  hath 
free  liberty  to  fall  ash  trees  and  maple  trees  within  the  bounds  of  the 
town  of  Redding,  upon  the  Common,  upon  condition  that  he  shall  pay 
'  scott  and  lotte '  to  the  town  of  Redding." 

"  And  that  Walter  Fairfield  have  free  liberty  to  fall  trees  for  his  trade 
upon  condition  that  he  shall  pay  '  scott  and  lotte '  to  the  town  of  Red- 
ding." 

N.  B.  —  When  persons  were  taxed  (in  parish  affairs)  not  to  the  same 
amount,  but  according  to  their  ability,  they  were  said  to  pay  scot  and  lot. 

A  report  of  a  committee  for  laying  out  a  country  highway  between 
Redding  and  Winnesimett  (Chelsea),  made  to  the  Colony  Court  in  1649, 
being  set  aside  as  "not  so  behoofful  to  the  country"  as  was  desirable, 
another  committee,  consisting  of  Thomas  Marshall,  John  Smyth,  and 
John  Sprague,  were  appointed  by  the  court  to  make  another  examina- 
tion with  a  view  to  find  the  best  route  for  a  highway  from  Redding  to 
Winnesimett,  and  their  report,  made  September  10,  and  adopted,  was 
as  follows :  — 

"  From  Reddinge  town  through  Maiden  bounds,  between  the  Pond 
and  John  Smyth's  land,  and  so  on  by  the  east  side  of  Mr.  Joseph  Hill's 
land  to  '  New  Hockley  Hole,'  and  so  on  in  the  old  way  by  the  Cowpen, 
and  thence  along  on  the  east  side  of  Tho.  Coytmore's  lott,  by  Ele  Pond, 
in  the  old  way  to  Tho.  Lynd's  land,  then  through  the  first  field,  and  so 
on  to  Maiden  Meeting  House,  and  so  on  to  Chelsea  —  " 

Sept.  10.  —  "Capt.  Richard  Walker,  Thomas  Marshall,  and  Nicholas 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  !j 

Holt,  being  appoynted  by  the  Court  to  lay  out  the  County  highway  from 
Andevour  to  Reddinge,  have  thus  agreed  to  follow  the  cart-way  from 
Andevour  to  Goodman  Holt's  farm,  leavinge  his  howse  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  on  the  left  hand,  and  so  on  in  a  strayte  South,  or  nere  a  South 
lyne,  to  the  falls  of  Ipswich  river,  according  to  the  marked  trees,  and 
so  from  a  river  uppon  the  like  strayght  lyne  to  the  head  of  a  meddow, 
called  the  Great  Meddow,  to  the  Saw  Mill  l  in  Reddinge,  and  from 
thence  through  common  cornefields  to  the  Meeting  house,  leavinge  the 
lott  of  Josias  Dustin  on  the  right  hand,  and  Zackariah  Fitts,  his  lott,  on 
the  left  hand  ;  and  we  agree  that  the  said  highway  shall  be  fower  rods 
wide  at  the  least  in  all  places,  except  through  the  common  fields  of  Red- 
dinge, and  there  not  to  be  less  than  two  rods  wide." 

Henry  Felch,  being  convicted  of  "departing  the  publique  assembly 
when  the  ordinance  of  baptism  was  about  to  be  administered,  was  ad- 
monished by  the  Court  of  his  sin,  and  ordered  to  pay  costs  to  Jonas 
Eaton  two  shillings." 

1654.  —  "Zachariah  Fitch  and  Joseph  Dustin,"  over  whose  land  the 
road  from  Andover  was  laid  in  1653,  "  having  petitioned  the  Court  for 
the  removing  of  a  highway  layd  out  through  their  planting  ground," 
received  this  answer :  "  The  said  highway  shall  be  and  hereby  is  sus- 
pended from  being  made  use  of  for  the  present,  and  that  the  first  high- 
way formerly  layd  out  shall  be  made  use  of,  and  accounted  the  only 
Country  highway  till  this  Court  take  further  order." 

N.  B.  The  piece  of  highway  suspended. as  above  was  that  part  of 
the  present  Salem  Street  that  is  west  of  Daniel  Nichols',  and  was  early 
known  and  long  called  Fitch's  Lane  ;  and  the  "  first  highway  "  referred 
to  above  extended  from  the  present  Vernon  Street  westerly,  over  the 
present  Sweetser  street  to  Main  Street,  near  the  house  of  Wm.  White ; 
and  this  last  named  way  was  long  the  main  road  to  Andover  and  Salem. 

This  year  "  Wm.  Cowdrey  was  empowered  and  ordered  by  the  Court 
to  sell  wine  of  any  sort,  and  strong  liquors,  to  the  Indians,  as  to  his 
judgment  shall  seem  most  meet  and  necessary  for  their  relief  in  just 
and  urgent  occasions,  and  not  otherwise,  provided  he  shall  not  sell  or 
deliver  more  than  one  pint  to  any  one  Indian  at  any  one  time  upon  any 
pretence  whatever." 

The  General  Court  agreed  "  that  for  the  dispatch  of  business  the 
Deputies  shall  eat  and  especially  dine  together  in  the  Court  House 
chamber.  Lt  Phillips  was  to  supply  each  of  them  with  breakfast,  din- 

1  Said  saw-mill  stood  where  "  Newcorab  Saw- Mill"  recently  stood. 


!4  .   GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

ner  and  supper,  and  a  cup  of  wine  or  beer  with  the  two  last  meals,  and 
fire  and  bed,  for  3  shillgs  a  day." 

John  Brock  was  appointed  one  of  a  commission  to  divide  lands  in 
York,  Me. 

Ensign  John  Smith,  of  Redding,  having  been  licensed  to  keep  an 
Ordinary,  was  fined  2 s.  "  for  not  having  a  sign." 

1655.  —  This  year  there  were  20  slaves  —  14  males  and  6  females 
—  in  the  town. 

Robert  Burnap,  Jr.,  is  chosen  to  keep  the  pound,  and  is  to  have  two 
pence  for  every  head  he  turns  the  key  upon. 

Town  agreed,  "  that  our  pastor,  Mr.  Haugh,  should  have  his  yearly 
maintenance  payed  him  eVery  quarter,  one  half  in  wheat,  pease  and 
barley,  and  the  other  half  in  rye  and  Indian,  and  to  make  even  every 
half  year." 

This  year  "  the  meddow  from  Jeremiah  Swayne's  meddow,  downe  be- 
low the  falls,  was  divided  by  lott  among  the  settlers,"  and  the  following 
changes  from  the  list  of  drawers  as  given  under  the  year  1652,  appear, 
viz.  : — 

"  Omitted :  Ensign  Marshall,  Henry  Bellflower,  John  Pearson,  Francis 
Smith,  Jeremy  Fitch,  Robert  Dunton,  and  John  Laukin. 

Added  :  Nath.  Cutler,  Wm.  Laukin,  John  Weston,  Samuel  Haugh, 
Peter  Palfrey,  Tho.  Chandler,  Tho.  Hartshorn,  James  Pike,  Tho.  But- 
ton, Robert  Burnap,  Jr.,  and  John  Browne." 

1656.  —  Town  ordered  "that  every  inhabitant  that  is  in  the  town 
when  Mas.  Haugh's  salary  is  made  shall  pay  for  the  whole  year,  al- 
though he  go  out  of  the  town  before  the  year  is  out." 

Ordered,  "  that  no  man  shall  turn  any  cattell  upon  the  Common  from 
the  middle  of  March  till  herding  time,  upon  the  penalty  of  6d.  for  every 
cow  or  beast  thus  turned." 

In  June,  Mrs.  Ann  Hibbens  was  executed  in  Boston  for  the  supposed 
crime  of  witchcraft. 

Isaac  Hart  was  convicted  of  stealing  hay. 

1657.  —  Town  ordered,  "that  a  town  way  be  laid  out  from  the  Com- 
mon, in  the  middle  of  the  town,  to  the  Country  Way,  at  the  other  end 
of  Goodman  Bustin's  lott,  —  one  pole  upon  Josias  Bustin  and  one  pole 
upon  Goodman  Fitch." 

Also, "  that  there  shall  be  two  general  town  meetings  every  year :  one 
on  the  first  second  day  in  February  yearly,  and  one  the  first  second  day 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  1 5 

of  December  yearly  ;  and  every  inhabitant  that  shall  absent  himself 
from  these  meetings,  shall  pay  zs.  6d.  if  he  be  not  there  by  9  o'clk  in 
the  morning." 

Also,  "  that  the  Selectmen  have  power  to  make  a  levy  for  the  building 
of  a  gallery,  to  the  value  of  6  or  7  pounds." 

Also,  "  that  liberty  be  given  to  some  young  men  to  build  a  gallery 
between  the  two  great  beams  on  the  south  side  of  the  Meeting-house, 
for  two  seats  breadth,  upon  condition  the  gallery  shall  be  their  own, 
and  to  sell  to  any  townsmen  that  the  town  shall  approve  o£" 

1 658.  —  Town  chose,  for  Commissioners  to  try  small  causes,  Nicholas 
Browne,  Peter  Palfrey,  and  Wm.  Cowdrey. 

Town  ordered  "  the  minister's  pay  this  year  to  be  £  in  Wheat  and 
Barley,  •£  in  Pease  and  Rye,  and  £  in  Butter  and  Indian." 

The  Court  ordered,  "that  Lynn,  Reading,  and  Rumney  Marsh 
(Chelsea)  have  liberty  to  raise  a  troop  of  horse  and  choose  their  offi- 
cers, provided  they  be  not  ferry  free,  nor  have  five  shillings  yearly 
allowed  them  from  the  country  as  other  troops  have." 

Forty-six  persons  were  assessed  this  year  to  pay  the  minister. 

Jeremiah  Swayne,  Senr,  the  father  of  Major  Jeremiah,  died. 

This  year  the  town  ordered  and  agreed  "  that  the  meadows  in  the 
'  Two  Mile  Grant '  shall  be  divided  into  three  rows,  from  West  to  East ; 
and  that  we  are  to  begin  to  lay  out  the  lotts  of  meddow,  at  the  East  end 
of  that  row  as  lyeth  next  to  Ipswich  river  and  so  to  come  West,  and 
then  the  second  row  and  so  to  go  East,  and  then  the  third  row  to  run 
West  \  and  then  to  take  all  meadow  in  the  '  Four  Miles '  at  one  row, 
and  so  to  run  it  to  the  West  part  of  our  bounds." 

Also  ordered,  "  that  there  shall  be  a  Highway  of  tenn  poles  broad 
left  at  each  end  of  all  those  lotts  of  Upland  beyond  Ipswich  river." 

Names  of  the  inhabitants  of  Redding,  with  the  several  plots  of  Up- 
land that  were  given  to  every  man,  as  it  fell  to  them  by  lott,  on  the 
north  side  of  Ipswich  river,  with  the  number  of  akers,  viz.  (Feb.  14, 
1658  or  9). 


A.  P. 

Wm.  Cowdrey,  188  57 

Richard  Walker,  200  57 

Wm.  Hooper,  50  14 

John  Weston,  70  20 

Walter  Fairfield,  40  1 1 

John  Buttery,  32  9 

Ezekiel  Morrill,  47  13 

Benja.  Bellflower,  91  25 


A.     P. 

Thos.  Clark,  277    30 

Geo.  Lilley,  40     10 

Nicholas  Browne,  327     90 

Nathan!  Cutler,  60     17 

Tho.  Kendall,  214      o 

James  Stimpson,  (illegible.) 

Henry  Felch,  " 

Matthew  Edwards,  " 


i6 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Wm.  Laukin, 
(Name  illegible), 
Wm.  Eaten, 
Tho.  Burnap, 
Jonas  Eaton, 
Zackery  Fitch, 
Tho.  Parker, 
Edward  Taylor, 
John  Wyley, 
Henry  Wormwood, 
Peter  Palfrey, 
Samuel  Dunton, 
Geo.  Davis, 
John  Damon, 
Jonathan  Poole, 
Josiah  Dustin, 


A.      P. 

(illegible.) 


60  16 

204  52 

43  " 

US  36 

116  27 


John  Bachelder, 
Wm.  Martin, 
John  Smith, 
Samuel  Haugh, 
Robert  Burnap,  Jr., 
Tho.  Taylor, 
Henry  Bellflower, 
Nath'l  Cowdrey, 
James  Pike, 
Isaac  Hart, 
John  Poole, 
Robt  Burnap,  Sen., 
John  Browne, 
Isaac  Burnap, 
John  Brock, 


A. 
226 
183 
190 

399 
1 02 
1 20 

47 
85 
40 

9i 
206 

399 

47 
40 
40 


p. 
o 

o 
o 

G 

O 
O 
O 
O 

o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 


N.  B.  — The  last  two  names  seem  to  have  been  subsequently  added. 
A  great  earthquake  this  year. 

Isaac  Hart  admonished  by  the  Court  "  for  divers  evill  and  naughty 
speeches  against  the  Court." 

1659.  —  "A  highway  was  laid  out  this  year  through  Zackery  Fitch's 
lott,  for  a  Town  Highway  for  Cart  and  horse  and  foot  —  this  highway 
is  layd  out  from  the  Common  to  County  highway,  at  the  lower  end  of 
the  lotts  j  is  to  be  a  pole  broad  from  the  Common  up  to  the  white  oak 
stump ;  and  from  thence  to  the  other  end  of  the  lott,  it  is  to  be  one 
pole  and  three  quarters  broad.  Furthermore,  it  is  agreed  that  Brother 
Fitch  is  to  have  the  gate  that  the  town  made,  and. to  hang  it  up,  but  the 
town  to  maintain  it ;  and  Brother  Fitch  is  to  make  another  gate  at  his 
own  charge,  and  to  sett  it  up  at  the  other  end  of  the  lott,  and  to  main- 
tain it  at  his  own  charge. 

"  This  is  a  perpetual  agreement  for  us." 

(N.  B.  —  This  is  the  highway  over  Fitch's  Hill  from  Main  to  Vernon 
Streets.) 

Wm.  Cowdrey,  of  Reading,  authorized  to  join  parties  in  marriage. 

"Redding  being  presented  for  not  having  a  sufficient  pound,  are  in- 
joyned  to  reforme  before  the  next  County  Court  under  a  penalty  of 
^5,  and  are  to  pay  costs  of  Court  —  2S.  6d." 

1 66 1.  —  The  town  "  did  agree  with  Jonathan  Poole,  John  Browne,  Jr., 
Matthew  Edwards,  and  Nath'l  Cowdrey,  about  the  Gallery,  viz :  that  it 
should  be  taken  down  and  sett  up  in  the  west  side  of  the  new  Meeting- 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  PEADfNG.  ij 

house,  but  one  seat  broad,  and  the ,  and  five  young  men  should 

sit  in  it  so  long  as  the  town  should  see  cause,  and  that  the  town  should 
give  them  three  pound." 

The  town  ordered,  "  that  John  Smith,  Jonathan  Poole,  John  Browne, 
Jr.,  and  Wm.  Cowdrey,  lay  out  the  two  mile  grant  and  four  mile  grant 
beyond  the  river." 

Also  ordered,  "  that  there  shall  no  upland  be  layd  out  on  the  South 
side  of  Ipswich  river,  nor  given  to  any  man  for  the  time  to  come  ;  but 
it  shall  be  for  Common." 

Also  ordered,  "  that  all  the  meadow  that  is  common  on  the  South  side 
of  Ipswich  river,  near  to  the  hundred  acres,  shall  be  layd  out  to  every 
inhabitant  by  equal  proportion,  as  every  one  is  in  Mas.  Haugh's  levy  in 
the  year  1661,  but  none  to  John  Browne  of  the  hill,  because  he  had 
3  acres  given  to  him  the  same  day  this  order  was  made."  • 

Mary  Dyar,  a  quaker,  was  hung  in  1660 ;  and  this  year  the  Court 
ordered,  "  that  hereafter,  quakers,  when  discovered,  shall  be  made  bare 
from  the  middle  upwards,  tied  to  a  cart,  and  whipped  through  the  town 
towards  the  boundary  of  Massachusetts  ;  and  if  returning,  that  they 
shall  be  similarly  punished,  with  the  addition  of  being  branded  with  the 
letter  R.  on  the  left  shoulder ;  and  if  coming  back  a  third  time,  that 
they  shall  be  banished  on  pain  of  death." 

John  Weston  "  admonished  and  to  make  public  acknowledgment  for 
challenging  Thomas  Clark  in  the  field  to  fight." 

1662.  — March  30,  Rev.  Samuel  Haugh,  second  minister  of  Reading, 
died  at  Boston.  (See  subsequent  list  of  early  settlers.) 

The  town  ordered,  "  that  no  woman,  maid  nor  boy  nor  gall  shall  sit 
in  the  south  alley  and  east  alley  of  the  Meetinghouse,  upon  penalty  of 
twelve  pence  for  every  day  they  shall  sit  in  the  alley  after  this  present 
day." 

Also,  "  that  every  dog,  that  comes  to  the  meeting,  after  this  present 
day,  either  on  Lord's  day  or  lecture-day,  except  it  be  their  dogs,  that 
pay  for  a  dog  whipper,  the  owner  of  those  dogs  shall  pay  sixpence  for 
every  time  they  come  to  the  meeting." 

The  names  of  twenty-six  men  are  recorded  as  agreeing  to  pay  to  the 
dog  whipper. 

Rev.  John  Brock  came  to  Reading  this  year  and  was  ordained  No- 
vember i3th,  as  the  successor  of  Rev.  Mr.  Haugh.  There  was  given,  by 
the  town,  "  to  Mas.  Brock  all  the  neck  of  land,  that  lyeth  between  the 
200  acres,  that  were  Mrs.  Richard  Sadler's  and  the  meadow  that  is 
called  Bare  Meadow,  provided  that  every  man  shall  have  free  liberty  to 
3 


IS  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

fetch  his  hay  out  of  Bare  Meadow  ;  and  a  highway  is  to  be  layed  out 
through  this  land  to  the  meadow  for  that  same  purpose. 

N.  B.  Mas.  Brock  did  not  accept  of  this  land,  but  took  "twenty 
pounds  in  lew  of  it."  Sadler's  neck,  so  called,  is  in  North  Reading, 
and  is  the  tract  of  upland,  lying  on  the  south  side  of  Ipswich  River 
and  between  said  river  and  Bare  Meadow. 

It  was  so  named  after  Richard  Sadler,  of  Lynn,  who  was  Town 
Clerk  of  Lynn  in  1641,  and  went  back  to  England  in  1646.  Mr.  Sadler 
owned  at  one  time,  it  seems,  200  acres  of  the  said  tract. 

January.  The  town  ordered,  "  that  all  the  land  and  meadow  beyond 
Ipswich  river,  that  is  given  out  into  great  lotts,  shall  be  layed  out  be- 
tween this  day  and  March  come  a  twelve  month ;  and  the  men,  that 
are  to  lay  out  this  land  and  meadow,  shall  have  two  pence  an  acre, 
round,  the  man." 

The  town  "  sold  to  Tho.  Tower  of  Redding,  half  an  acre  of  land 
near  to  the  lott  of  Josias  Dustin  for  to  sett  his  house  upon,  for  which  he 
is  to  give  the  town  two  pence.  John  Smith  and  Wm.  Cowdrey  were 
chosen  to  lay  it  out  for  him,  where  it  shall  be." 

1663.  —  This  year,  Josselyn,  an  eccentric  traveller,  visited  New  Eng- 
land, and  in  his  published  account  thereof  says  :   "  In  the  centre  of  the 
country,  by  a  great  pond  side,  and  not  far  from  Woburn,  is  situated 
Reading ;  it  hathe  two  mills,  a  saw  mill  and  a  corn  mill,  and  is  well 
stocked  with  cattell." 

N.  B.  The  corn  mill  stood  near  where  the  rattan  factory  now  is, 
and  the  saw  mill  stood  on  the  site  of  the  mill  formerly  known  as  New- 
comb's  mill,  at  the  northerly  end  of  Vernon  Street,  in  South  Reading.1 
Both  mills  were  originally  built  and  owned  by  John  Poole  and  his  heirs. 

January  26,  there  was  an  earthquake. 

1664.  —  The  town    "exchanged   lands  with  Matthew  Edwards,  he 
paying  30  shillings  and  a  gallon  of  liquor  to  boot." 

Town  gave  to  John  Smith,  Jona.  Poole,  John  Browne,  and  William 
Cowdrey,  "  all  the  Slip  or  Tract  of  land  (if  there  be  any)  that  lyeth  be- 
tween the  line  that  Bray  Wilkins  or  his  sons  did  run,  which  was  the 
supposed  line  of  Mas.  Bellingham's  Farm,  and  the  line,  that  Maj-  Haw- 
thorne and  Ensign  Howlett  did  agree  to  be  the  line,  etc." 

1  The  reader  is  desired  to  bear  in  mind  that  wherever  the  name  "  South  Read- 
ing "  occurs,  the  present  town  of  "  Wakefield  "  is  referred  to. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  ig 

1665.  —  A  herdsman  was  appointed  for  taking  care  of  the  cattle  upon 
the  town  commons,  and  for  securing  them  from  the  wolves,  and  secur- 
ing the  meadow,  "  that  the  cattell  may  not  eat  up  and  destroy  in  the 
Somer,  what  should  be  for  them  in  the  winter." 

Deacons  Tho.  Kendall,  Tho.  Parker,  and  William  Cowdrey  were  ap- 
pointed Commissioners  for  ending  small  causes. 

Robert  Burnap,  Jr.,  was  chosen  Sealer  of  Weights  and  Measures. 

1666.  —  The  town  ordered  the  Burying-place  to  be  fenced  in  with 
pine  ray/fs. 

This  was  the  first  Burial-Ground,  and  was  the  spot  of  land  in  South 
Reading,  now  Wakefield,  on  which  the  old  Town  House  and  Yale 
Engine  House  stood  in  1873. 

This  year  "  the  Court  laid  out  the  Tract  of  land  of  the  '  two  miles,' 
formerly  granted  to  the  town,  and  confirmed  the  same." 

The  town  ordered  "  that  the  '  Great  Swamp,'  and  all  other  Swamps 
that  are  wett  and  fitt  to  make  meadow,  shall  all  be  (divided)  quantity 
and  quality  considered,  to  every  man,  according  to  each  man's  propor- 
tion." 

Names  of  the  inhabitants  that  drew  land  in  the  "  Division  of  the 
Great  Swamp,"  with  their  minister  rates  in  the  preceding  year :  — 

£    s.  d.  £    s.    d. 

Geo.  Davis,  299  Nath'l  Cowdrey,  I     15      7 

John  Browne,  i     10  5  Mas.  Walker,  I     10      3 

Ralph  Dix,  144  Tho.  Kendall,  2       i     10 

Wm.  Cowdrey,  I     18  I  Henry  Felch,  169 

Hananiah  Parker,  o     19  3  Henry  Bellflower,  o     10      8 

Henry,  servant  to  John  Smith,  i      8  5  Geo.  Thompson,  o     15      o 

Jeremiah  Swayne,  127  Nath'l  Cutler,  o     16      9 

John  Bachelder,  Jr.,  i       6  4  Geo.  IJlley,  086 

Tho.  Clark,  i       i  6  Philip  Mclntire,  o      o     10 

Joseph  Fitch,  I       I  6  John  Poole,  2     14      5 

Abr'm  Bryant,  o     16  I  Josiah  Dustin,  I      o      o 

John  Browne  of  the  hill,  i       2  n  John  Damon,  o     18      8 

Josiah  Browne,  o     15  2  James  Boutwell,  o     12      3 

Tho.  Taylor,  i       8  3  Tho.  Dustin,  I     19      8 

John  Bachelder,  Sen.,  I      6  5  John  Eaton,  I       I      3 

John  Wyley,  I       9  3  Benja.  Smith,  165 

Nicholas  Browne,  I     18  7  John  Buttery,  099 

Cornelius  Browne,  o     12  8  James  Pike,  i      4      7 

Samuel  Fitch,  o     17  2  Edward  Taylor,  2       I      o 

Henry  Merrow,  i       i  9  Robert  Burnap,  Sen.,  3      2      3 

Benjamin  Fitch,  in  5  Robert  Burnap,  Jr.,  I     10      2 


20 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


£.    *. 

d. 

O      II 

8 

Tho.  Burnap, 

o    18 

5 

Isaac  Hart, 

3     16 

6 

Mas.  John  Brock, 

o     17 

8 

Richard  Nichols, 

o     13 

6 

Tho.  Hodgman, 

I       IO 

ii 

John  Weston, 

I       9 

7 

Sam  Dunton,  Jr., 

O      II 

4 

£• 

o 
I 

3 


12 

6 

1 6 

5 


Fdward  Marshal], 

John  Parker, 

Jonas  Eaton, 

Nath'l  Goodwin, 

James  Stimpson, 

William  Eaton,  I     10     n         John  Weston,  o 

Tho.  Hartshorn,  I       9       7         Sam  Dunton,  Jr.,  o 

Richard  Harndtn, 

N.  B.  —  Matthew  Edwards,  Wm.  Hooper,  Tho.  Colson,  Tho.  Hodgman,  Samuel 
Dunton,  and  Jona.  Poole,  did  not  draw  land  at  that  time,  for  the  reason,  probably, 
that  they  had  received  special  grants. 

The  above  table  shows,  not  only  who  were  inhabitants  at  this  date, 
but  their  relative  standing  as  to  property. 


1667.  —  This  year  the  town  ordered  and  agreed  "that  all  the  privi- 
leges of  land,  timber  and  commons  shall  belong  unto  the  present  houses, 
now  erected,  and  to  no  other,  that  shall  be  erected  hereafter." 

There  were  at  this  time,  already  erected,  fifty-nine  houses,  owned  as 
follows :  — 


John  Bachelder, 
Henry  Bellflower, 
James  Boutwell, 
John  Brock  (3  privileges), 
John  Browne,  Sen., 
John  Browne,  Jr., 
Nicholas  Browne, 
Cornelius  Browne, 
Josiah  Browne, 
Abr'm  Bryant, 
Thos.  Burnap, 
Robert  Burnap, 
Robert  Burnap,  Jr., 
Thos.  Clark, 
Wm.  Cowdrey, 
Nathaniel  Cowdrey, 
Nathaniel  Cutler, 
John  Damon, 
Benja.  Davis, 
Joseph  Davis, 


Ralph  Dix, 
Samuel  Dunton, 
Samuel  Dunton,  Jr., 
Josiah  Dustin, 
Jonas  Eaton, 
William  Eaton, 
John  Eaton, 
Henry  Felch, 
Joseph  Felch, 
Benja.  Fitch, 
Samuel  Fitch, 
Isaac  Hart, 
Daniel  Hartshorn, 
Tho.  Hodgman, 
Wm.  Hooper, 
Tho.  Kendall, 
George  Lilley, 
Henry  Merrow, 
Tho.  Parker  (2), 
Hananiah  Parker, 


John  Parker, 
James  Pike, 
John  Smith, 
Benj.  Smith, 
James  Stimpson, 
Richard  Sutton, 
Jeremiah  Swayne, 
Jonathan  Poole, 
Thos.  Taylor, 
Edward  Taylor, 
George  Thompson, 
Tho.  Tower, 
Tho.  Hartshorn, 
Richard  Nichols, 
Matthew  Edwards, 
Nathaniel  Goodwin, 
John  Weston, 
John  Wiley. 


1668.  —  The  town  ordered,  "that  no  man  after  this  date  shall  come 
into  the  town,  here  to  inhabit,  without  the  consent  of  the  town  ;  but 
he  shall  put  in  security,  to  secure  the  town  of  all  charges  that  shall 
come  thereby." 


I 
OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.    '  21 

This  year  the  town  made  the  following  agreement  with  Jonathan 
Poole,  who  lived  on  the  site  of  Wakefield's  rattan  factory  :  "  The 
town  of  Reading  doth  give  to  the  aforesaid  Jonathan  Poole  and  to  his 
heirs  and  assigns,  free  liberty  of  the  river,  that  now  the  Corn  Mill 
stands  upon,  without  molestation  from  any  other,  so  long  as  the  said 
Jonathan  Poole,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  shall  keep  the  said  Mill  in  good 
and  sufficient  case  to  grind  the  town's  corn  only  (except  there  be  suffi- 
cient water  to  grind  out  of  town's  men's  corn),  and  to  maintain  the 
same  from  time  to  time,  at  his  own  cost  and  charge.  And  to  keep  the 
Millhouse  in  such  repair  as  may  secure  men's  corn  and  meal,  and  to 
clear  the  river  to  the  Mill  from  time  to  time,  at  his  own  cost  and 
charge.  This  sufficiency  of  grinding,  we  mean  so  much  as  the  water 
will  grind,  with  the  best  husbandry  as  may  be  used." 

1669.  —  Town  ordered,  "  that  a  bounty  of  twenty  shillings  be  offered 
for  every  wolf  killed  in  Reading  for  the  ensuing  seven  years." 

Town  agreed  concerning  the  Great  Swamp,  "that  all  the  wood  that 
grows  on  any  man's  lott,  shall  be  free  For  our  townsmen  to  cutt,  and  so 
to  be  for  Common  Forever  ;  Provided  they  cutt  not  down  any  marked 
trees,  that  are  between  man  and  man  ;  neither  shall  any  man  fire  the 
wood  that  is  on  his  own  lands,  but  it  shall  grow  there  until  the  owner 
or  some  of  the  townsmen  shall  make  use  of  it ;  and  he  that  cutts  the 
wood  shall  cutt  up  Butt  and  Top." 

1671.  —  Benja.  Davis  was  chosen  Clerk  of  the  Market,  or  Sealer  of 
Weights  and  Measures. 

Josiah  Dustin,  an  original  settler,  died. 

Thomas  Clark,  Ordinary  Keeper  at  Redding,  convicted  on  his  own 
confession  of  suffering  disorderly  persons  in  his  house  at  an  unreason- 
able time  of  night,  and  of  threatening  the  Grand  Jury,  was  sentenced 
to  pay  15  shill  and  5  pence. 

Silvester  Haye  and  Elijah  Browne,  for  wanton  dalliances,  were  whipt. 

Tho.  Hodgman  and  his  wife,  Cornelius  Browne,  John  Wiley,  Sam'l 
Dunton,  and  Sarah  Eaton,  "  for  their  uncivill  carriages  in  an  unseason- 
able time  of  night  at  Tho.  Clarke's  house,  were  admonished  and  fined 
costs." 

i6j2.  —  Town  ordered,  "that  if  any  man  shall  entertain  any  dog  or 
bitch,  and  if  they  shall  come  to  the  meeting,  contrary  to  the  town's 
order,  they  shall  either  pay  according  to  the  town's  order,  or  else, — 
shall  forthwith  hang  him  until  he  is  dead." 


22  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

The  Court  ordered,  "  that  all  such  women,  as  are  convicted  before 
any  proper  Court  or  Magistrate,  for  Railing  or  Scolding,  shall  be 
gagged,  or  set  in  a  ducking  stool  and  dipped  over  head  and  ears  three 
times,  in  some  convenient  place  of  fresh  or  salt  water,  as  the  Court 
shall  order." 

Saml  Dunton  and  wife  were  summoned  to  Court  to  answer  "  for  not 
coming  to  the  publique  worship  of  God  on  the  Lordsday." 

1673.  —  This  year  the  term  "Wood  End,"  as  applied  to  what  is  now 
Reading,  first  occurs  in  the  town  records. 

Town  ordered,  "that  all  owners  of  stone  wall  shall  make  some  Fence 
upon  the  stone  wall,  for  the  keeping  of  sheep  from  doing  damage,  upon 
penalty  of  ten  shillings." 

Also  ordered,  "  that  every  inhabitant  shall  have  a  sufficient  ladder  to 
his  chimney,  within  one  month,  upon  penalty  of  10  shillings." 

Nicholas  Brown  and  Wm.  Eaton,  early  settlers,  died. 

1674.  — Town  ordered,  "  that  there  shall  be  but  one  town  meeting  in 
a  year,  except  upon  a  special  occasion." 

Jonas  Eaton  and  George  Thompson,  early  settlers,  died. 

Samuel  Dunton  of  Redding,  appearing  before  the  Court  and  being 
convicted  of  bringing  up  his  children  in  a  rude,  irreligious,  profane,  and 
barbarous  manner,  contrary  to  the  word  of  God  and  the  laws  of  the 
Commonwealth,  the  Court  doth  order  "  that  the  Selectmen  of  said  town 
do  take  care  to  dispose  of  the  children  of  said  Dunton  to  service  or 
apprenticeship,  as  they  may  be  capable,  and  in  case  they  be  obstructed 
therein  through  the  refractiveness  and  stubbornness  in  parents  or  chil- 
dren, they  ar«  to  inform  the  Court,  who  will  proceed  with  them  accord- 
ing to  law  by  committing  them  to  the  House  of  Correction  until  they 
will  learn  to  submit  themselves ;  and  the  said  Dunton  is  ordered  to  pay 
costs."  Mary  Pike,  for  fornication,  sentenced  to  be  whipt  or  fined. 

1675.  —  This  year  commeneed  the  famous  Indian  War,  known  as 
"  King  Philip's  War." 

The  town  of  Reading  were  required  to  furnish  their  quota  for  the 
Massachusetts  troops.  Among  those  who  entered  the-  service  from  this 
town  were  :  Jeremiah  Swayne,  Major  ;  Jonathan  Poole,  Captain  and 
Quarter-Master;  Tho.  Bancroft,  Samuel  Lamson,  David  Bachelder, 
James  Case,  Samuel  Damon,  Gabriel  Taylor,  Thomas  Nichols,  William 
Roberts,  Nicholas  Lunn,  John  Arnold,  William  Arnold,  William  Rob- 
bins,  Thomas  Brown,  Ebenezer  Flint,  Daniel  Flint,  Joseph  Hartshorn, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  2$ 

John  Weston,  Richard  Smith,  and  probably  others.  Samuel  Haugh, 
son  of  Rev.  Samuel  Haugh,  was  impressed,  but  hired  a  substitute. 

William  Cowdrey,  Jona.  Poole,  Jeremy  Swayne,  Robert  Burnap,  and 
Tho.  Parker,  petitioned  the  Court,  "  that,  whereas  the  Iron  Works  at 
Lynn  stop  fish  from  coming  up  to  refresh  and  relieve  the  people,  some- 
thing may  be  done  to  remedy  the  matter." 

Of  a  Colony  rate  of  £1553  6s.  4</.,  ordered  by  Court,  Reading  paid 
£16  9-r.  \\d.  Of  forty-nine  towns  in  the  Colony  assessed,  twenty-eight 
were  higher,  and  twenty  lower  than  Reading. 

1676.  —  The  following  petition  was  presented  to  the  Governor  and 
Council :  — 

"  Your  humble  petitioners  desire  to  present  something  for  the  good  of  the  town  — 
"  ist     That,  if  your  Honors  see  cause,  to  give  power  to  stay  our  inhabitants  to- 
gether; otherwise  we  judge  it  may  weaken  the  whole  and  hazard  the  town. 
"  2d.     To  give  power  to  let  land,  not  improved,  to  persons  in  want 
"  3d.     Then  when  your  Honors  shall  see  cause,  to  draw  off  the  out  towns,  that  our 
town  may  receive  some  more  inhabitants,  to  strengthen  us  to  stand  as  a  frontier  town  ; 
whereas  if  they  draw  into  the  inner  towns,  we  remain  still  weak,  and  so  must  come  in 
one  after  another. 

"  4th.  Having  soldiers  out  at  several  towns,  whether  and  when  it  may  be  expedient 
to  have  them  home,  our  town  being  weak  and  possibly  shortly  like  to  be  a  frontier. 

"JONATHAN  POOLE. 
THOMAS  BANCROFT." 

John  Damon  was  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Reading  company. 

To  show  the  feeling  of  alarm  and  apprehension  existing  at  this  time 
among  the  people  of  Massachusetts,  occasioned  by  the  bold  and  bloody 
raids  into  the  colony  of  the  hostile  Indians,  it  may  be  mentioned  "that 
several  considerable  persons  made  application  to  the  Court,  and  pro- 
posed it  as  a  necessary  expedient  for  the  public  welfare,  and  particularly 
for  the  security  of  the  whole  county  of  Essex  and  part  of  Middlesex 
from  inroads  of  the  common  enemy,  that  a  line  or  fence  of  stockades 
or  stones  (as  the  matter  best  suiteth),  be  made  about  eight  feet  high, 
extending  from  Charles  river,  where  it  is  navigable,  unto  Concord  river, 
from  Geo.  Farley's  house  in  Billerica ;  which  fence,  the  Council  were 
informed,  would  not  be  above  twelve  miles,  a  good  part  whereof  is 
already  done  by  large  ponds  that  will  conveniently  fall  into  the  line,  by 
which  means  the  whole  tract  will  be  environed  for  the  security  and 
safety  (under  God)  of  the  people,  their  houses,  goods  and  cattle,  from 
the  rage  and  fury  of  the  enemy." 

The  Court  ordered,  "  that  one  able  and  fit  man  from  each  of  the 


24  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

included  towns  should  meet  at  Cambridge  to  survey  the  ground,  esti- 
mate the  expense,  etc." 

Many  of  the  towns  erected  "Garrison  houses,"  as  they  were  called, 
which  were  large,  strongly-built  houses,  with  thick  plank  walls  and  sur- 
rounded with  palisades,  into  which  the  people,  upon  a  sudden  alarm, 
might  retire  and  defend  themselves.  Such  a  building  was  erected  at 
this  time  in  what  is  now  North  Reading,  on  the  farm  of  Geo.  Flint, 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  that  part  of  Reading,  and  tradition  says 
"  the  marks  of  Indian  bullets  might  be  long  seen  upon  the  doors." 

Indeed,  many  other  houses,  built  about  this  time,  had  plank  walls 
inlaid  with  brick,  for  the  same  purpose  of  affording  a  place  of  security 
in  case  of  a  hostile  attack. 

The  Council  sent  the  following  order  to  Capt.  Swain  of  Reddirjg :  — 

"  Capt.  Swain  :  —  The  Council  having  taken  into  consideration  the  present  state  of 
matters,  as  to  the  common  enemy,  do  judge  meet  to  order  that  forthwith  upon  receipt 
of  this,  you  garrison,  and  as  soon  as  may  be  draw  up  the  garrison  soldiers,  under  your 
command,  of  the  towns  of  Hadley,  Hatfield,  Spiingfield  and  Westfield,  and  with  them 
to  march  to  Deerfield  and  the  places  thereabouts  and  then  search  for  and  destroy  the 
common  enemy,  etc." 

1677.  —  "A  motion  from  Redding,  23-3-1677."  (Copied  verbatim 
from  Mass.  Records.) 

"  To  the  Honourable  General  Court,  boath  Governor  and  Majistrates,  with  the 
Deputies,  now  sitting  in  Boston  :  — 

"  The  request  of  your  humble  servants,  being  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  towne  of 
Redding  ;  —  This  Honoured  Court,  not  being  altogether  ignorant  of  the  state  of  our 
towne,  to  which  your  humble  suppliants  boath  belong,  Respecting  the  compleation  of 
our  Military  Officers,  we  would  not  fill  up  lines  with  compliments  to  trouble  this 
Honoured  Court,  But,  Briefly,  to  give  a  narrative  of  our  condition,  and  so  humbly 
beging  that  this  Court  would  put  an  issue  to  our  Bissenis,  which  is  like  to  have  so  ill 
a  consequence,  if  it  lay  longe  as  now  it  doath.  There  hath  bin  some  Strange  actions 
relating  to  military  officers,  whereby  we  are  become  tow  parties  in  the  towne,  one  in 
opposition  agaynst  the  other  ;  wee  apprehend  wee  have  bin  ingenious  (ingenuous  ?)  to 
the  other  party,  notwithstanding  great  eregularities  they  run  into  ;  our  party,  as  wee 
apprehend,  is  very  considerable,  though  not  the  Major  part  in  number ;  wee  yielded  to 
them  that  voted  for  Captain  Swaine,  and  prefered  their  minds  to  the  Court,  by  setting 
our  hands  to  itt,  that  was  sent  to  the  Court,  though  wee  voated  for  Captain  Poole,  for 
not  one  of  those  hands  that  voated  for  Captain  Swaine  was  sent  to  the  Court  when 
he  was  presented  to  the  Court ;  now,  notwithstanding  ther  is,  in  our  parte,  the  chiefest 
partes  for  heades  and  estates  amongst  which  ar  Decons,  Commissenors  and  Select- 
men, and  the  Major  parte  of  the  freemen,  yet  wee,  not  being  wilful,  but  condescended 
to  prefer  their  mindes  to  the  Court,  and  concluded  that  though  Capt.  Swayne  was  not 
a  freeman,  yet  if  the  General  Court  see  cause  to  confirm  him,  wee  should  have  been 
satisfied  with  what  your  honors  had  done.  But  he  being  not  accepted,  the  matter  is 
yet  to  doe ;  the  towne  running  only  upon  tow  perssons,  wee  would  be  glad  to  have  our 
bissenes  to  bee  promoted  to  the  consideration  of  this  Honoured  Court. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  2$ 

"  Our  numbre  upon  trial  for  voate  for  Capt.  Poole  was  2d  voate. 

"  There  hath  been  several  meetings  and  agetations,  since  Capt.  Swayne  was  presented 
to  the  Court,  and  they  will  have  all  the  youth  to  voate  that  hath  not  taken  the  oath  of 
fidelity  to  the  Commonwealth.  And  soe  wee  are  outvoated,  and  they  are  not  willing 
the  Court  should  hear  both  parties  and  what  wee  have  to  saye  —  this  being  delivered 
after  our  ingenuity  (ingenuousness  ?)  to  them,  and  they  will  do  nothing  ;  and  so  the 
towne  is  brought  into  tow  parties. 

"And  it  begins  to  have  influence  into  Towne  matters,  to  strive  to  circumvent  one 
another  in  our  Actions,  which  wee  feare  will  have  a  bad  consequence.  Therefore 
wee  humbly  intreate  the  Honored  Court  that  you  would  be  pleased  to  issue  the  case 
for  us,  and  settell  some  abell  and  meete  person  in  the  place  of  a  Capten  amongst  us, 
that  our  strife  may  bee  at  an  ende.  And  wee  know  wee  must  at  your  Honners  appoynt- 
ment  sett  downe  quiett.  As  to  our  Lieutenant,  wee  could  wish  the  Honored  Court 
did  thouerly  understand  his  Abillities  as  to  heade  and  estate. 

"  Your  humble  servants,  not  having  else  to  ad,  but  ever  to  praye  for  devine  protec- 
tion and  Guidance  to  your  honners  —  and  remayne  your  humble  petitioners. 

"  WM.  COWDREV, 
THOMAS  PARKER, 
MATTHEW  EDWARDS, 
THOMAS  HARTSHORN, 
NATHANIEL  COWDREY, 
JOHN  BROWNE, 
JOHN  BACHELLER, 
BENJN.  FITCH, 
HANANIAH  PARKER." 


The  above  petition  shows  that  party  spirit  early  moved  in  the  breasts 
of  our  forefathers  ;  and  that  formerly,  as  well  as  latterly,  the  same  great 
principles  of  Conservatism  and  Radicalism  were  antagonistic  and 
earnest.  These  two  rival  candidates  for  military  honors  were  sons  of 
the  first  settlers,  and  both  smart,  capable  men.  Capt.  Poole  was  the 
older,  being  then  43  years  old,  and  Capt.  Swayne  being  33  years  old. 
Capt.  Poole  had  already  held  the  office  of  Captain,  and  Swayne  was 
aspiring.  The  age,  wealth,  and  official  dignity  of  the  town  were  for  the 
older  candidate,  while  Young  America  went  for  the  younger  competitor. 

Capt.  Swayne  appears  to  have  outstripped  his  rival  in  the  race,  for 
he  was  soon  appointed  Major,  while  Capt.  Poole  became,  or  continued 
to  be,  Captain,  and  was  also  Quartermaster.  Capt.  Poole,  however, 
died  the  next  year,  greatly  lamented. 

They  both  did  good  service  in  the  Indian  wars,  and  their  names  are 
famous. 

Land  was  granted  this  year  to  Jonathan  Eaton,  with  privilege  of  wood 
and  herbage,  on  condition  that  he  continue  in  town  and  follow  the  trade 
of  shoemaker. 
4 


2g  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

1678. —  "To  the  Honoured  Generall  Courte,  now  assembled  in 
Boston :  — 

"  The  humble  petision  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  towne  of  Redding,  Humbly  Show- 
eth  —  That  whereas  our  case,  being  as  your  pettissiners  humbly  conseive,  soe  sircum- 
stanced,  as  wee  Know  not  the  like  in  all  Respects  —  and  not  Knowing  which  waye  to 
helpe  ourselves  —  But  By  humbly  accquainting  yo1  honners  with  our  state  —  your 
honners  beeing  the  Fathers  of  the  Commonwelth  to  which  wee  doe  belonge  ;  and  yo? 
petissiners  humbly  hoping  that  yo'  honners  will  helpe  soe  far  as  may  bee  to  the  Re- 
lieving of  us  in  our  case  ;  —  It  being  soe  with  us  that  wee  are  butt  a  poore  place,  very 
few  above  sixty  families,  Abell  to  pay  to  the  Ministry,  and  several!  of  them  have 
more  need  to  Receive  than  to  paye,  —  if  wee  were  a  place  of  ability  as  many  others 
bee ;  and  to  us  their  is  Adjacent  farmers,  which  bee  constant  hearers  of  the  word, 
with  us,  which  goes  not  at  all  to  their  owne  towne,  Butt  Transiently  as  others  doe  ; 
Neither  came  they  one  the  Sabbath  daye  butt  bee  breakers  of  the  Lawe  of  god  and 
of  this  commonwelth  as  we  conseive.  And  to  many  of  them  itt  would  be  soe  intol- 
erable a  burthen,  that  many  of  them  must  necessarily  refraine  from  the  public  worship 
of  god,  established  amongst  us,  for  prevention  of  which  they  doe  heare  with  us,  which 
seems  to  be  very  hard  for  us  to  maintayne  Ministry  and  Meetinghouse  conveniently 
for  them,  and  others  to  force  them  to  paye  their  hole  Rates  to  their  one  townes,  as 
others  do  ;  or  if  some  of  them  bee  Betterminded,  the  bisenes  lyeth  so  att  the  present, 
that  wee  have  nothing  from  them  all  or  next  to  nothing. 

"  Another  thing  that  your  humble  petisioners  desire  to  declare  to  your  honners  is 
thatt  wee  have  now  not  roume  enough  in  our  Meeting  house  for  ourselves,  but  the 
Adjasent  farmers  being  one  third  or  very  neare  one  third  as  mutch  as  wee,  wee  muste 
build  anew  before  itt  bee  Longe,  for  the  house  will  bee  too  littell  for  them  and  us, 
which  wee  hope  your  honners  will  consider  how  the  case  is  like  to  bee  with  us,  if 
nothing  bee  considered.  Butt  as  wee  hope  itt  is  the  waye,  that  god  would  have  us  to 
take  to  leave  the  case  to  your  honners,  we  desire  humbly  soe  to  doe,  and  quiettly  to 
reste  to  this  honoured  Courte's  good  pleasure  as  to  what  hath  been  declared. 

"  And  shall  ever  pray  —  In  the  name  &  by  the  consent  of  the  Reste  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  towne.  Wm.  Cowdrey,  Robert  Burnap,  Jona.  Poole,  Thomas  Parker, 
Jeremy  Swaine." 

These  "  Adjasent  Farmers "  were  the   people  of  Lynn  End,  now 
Lynnfield,  and  of  Charlestown  End,  now  Stoneham. 
Mr.  Hooper,  an  early  settler,  died  this  year. 

1679.  —  Town  agreed  "that  there  should  be  a  rate  of  60  or  70 
pounds  for  the  building  of  a  new  Meetinghouse  or  the  repairing  of  the 
old  one,  and  this  to  be  paid  in  shingles  at  IQJ.  per  hundred,  clapboards 
and  boards  at  $s.  per  hundred,  Cider  at  IQJ.  per  barrell,  Corn  ;  —  hogs 
and  tobacco  at  6  pence  per  pound,  and  one  third  discount  for  cash." 

An  additional  Rate  for  the  same  purpose  was  soon  after  ordered. 

This  money  or  these  funds  were  not  appropriated  for  the  building  of 
a  new  Meeting  House,  but  a  Committee,  consisting  of  Capt.  Swayne, 
Mas.  John  Browne,  and  Mas.  Hananiah  Parker,  were  chosen,  to  whom 


Of    THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  2J 

were  delegated  "general  powers  to  expend  such  sums  of  money  as 
the  town  should  raise  from  time  to  time  for  building  or  buying,  etc." 

This  Committee,  as  appears  by  their  Report  subsequently  made,  ex- 
pended the  funds  aforesaid,  partly  in  repairing  the  old  Meeting  House, 
and  chiefly  in  buying  land  for,  and  in  building  the  first  Parsonage. 

Jeremiah  Swayne  was  appointed  Captain  by  Court 

John  Pearson,  an  original  settler,  died. 

Whereas  some  years  since  the  General  Court  did  order  the  town  of 
Redding  to  a  second  survey  of  the  "  two  miles  grant,"  —  in  performance 
of  said  Order,  the  town  did  agree  that  Mas.  Nathaniel  Walker  should 
have  a  tender  of  all  the  said  land,  included  in  the  said  grant,  that  was 
not  in  particular  proprieters  ;  —  before  the  said  Walker,  defraying  the 
charges  of  the  second  survey  of  said  land.  Mas.  Shubael  Walker  per- 
forming the  above  said  work  at  his  own  charge  ;  the  town  is  humbly 
requested  to  resolve  who  shall  enjoy  the  premises.  The  town  by  a  vote 
did  resolve  the  question  :  "  that  they  that  did  the  work  should  enjoy 
the  premises."  This  resolution  was  afterwards  confirmed  by  the  Court. 

1680.  —  Hananiah  Parker  appointed  Ensign  by  the  Court. 

It  was  enacted  this  year  that  the  freemen  in  voting  for  public  officers 
should  use  Indian  corn. 

Dec.  —  The  towne  of  Redding  being  presented  to  the  Court  for  defect 
in  their  highways  and  want  of  a  Grammar  Schoole,  they  have  liberty 
given  them  till  April  Court  to  make  their  answer,  and  they  are  enjoyned 
then  to  bring  a  certificate  yt  their  school  master  is  sufficient  as  the  law 
requires. 

This  year  Mrs.  Brock  was  "  licensed  to  sell  so  much  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Haugh's  lands  as  will  pay  debts,  notwithstanding  they  were  entailed." 

1681. —  Feb.  6.  Town  agreed  "  that  the  house  now  a  building,  and 
land  bought  for  the  minister  shall  be  for  the  inhabitants  of  Reading 
and  their  heirs  forever,  and  for  the  use  of  the  ministry,  and  so  to  be 
forever."  This  house,  which  was  the  first  Parsonage,  stood  near  the 
corner  of  Main  Street  and  the  present  Albion  Street,  where  the  Per- 
kins Building  now  is.  The  lands  connected  therewith,  ten  acres,  was 
purchased  of  Timothy  Wiley  for  £102. 

It  was  occupied  by  Rev.  Mr.  Brock  until  his  decease  in  1688.  Upon 
the  settlement  of  Rev.  Pierpont  in  1689,  the  town  voted  :  — 

"  That  Mr.  Jonathan  Pairpoynt,  our  minister,  should  have  the  one  half  of  the  land, 
that  the  town  bought  of  Timothy  Wiley,  with  the  building  thereon  :  namely,  the  North 
side  of  said  land  ;  we  say  :  the  aforesaid  land  with  the  building  thereon,  we  hereby 


28  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

give  unto  Mr.  Jona.  Perpoint,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  he,  the  said  Mr.  Perpoint, 
continuing  in  the  ministry  with  us  so  long  as  God  shall  enable  him  so  to  do. 

"  The  condition  of  this  gift  of  the  town  unto  Mr.  Peirpoint,  is  such,  that  the  town 
paying  or  causing  to  be  paid  unto  the  Relict,  or  heirs  of  the  aforesaid  Mr.  Peirpoint, 
within  twelve  months  after  his  the  aforesaid  Peirpont's  decease,  the  sum  of  One  hun- 
dred pounds  in  money,  and  also  to  reimburse  him  or  them,  for  what  the  building  is 
better  at  his  decease  than  it  is,  at  his  now  (1689)  entrance  upon  the  same,  then  the 
said  land  with  the  buildings  thereon  shall  return  to  the  town,  unto  their  dispose." 

It  will  be  noticed  as  a  literary  curiosity  in  the  above  vote,  that  the 
Clerk  spelled  his  Pastor's  name  in  four  different  ways,  and  that  neither 
way  was  correct. 

The  next  succeeding  year,  1690,  the  town  voted,  "that  the  house 
and  tenn  acres  of  land  belonging  is  given  to  Mr.  Jonathan  Peirpoint, 
his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  he  paying  to  the  town  fifty  pounds."  The 
^"50  was  duly  paid.  The  estate,  after  Mr.  Pierpont's  death,  was  sold, 
and,  in  1762,  became  the  property  of  John  Vinton,  whose  daughter  mar- 
ried Samuel  Wiley,  the  late  owner  of  the  place. 

This  year  the  town  voted,  "  that  the  old  town  books  shall  be  tran- 
scribed, that  is  all  material  things." 


1683.  —  Dea.  Thomas  Parker,  an  early  settler,  died.  Court  ap- 
pointed "  Lt.  Wm.  Johnson,  Deacon  Conversse,  Hananiah  Parker  and 
Capt.  Swayne  a  committee  to  rectifie  and  settle  the  highway  between 
Oburn  and  Redding." 

The  following  account,  as  rendered  by  the  Committee  who  built  the 
first  Parsonage,  is  curious  and  instructive  :  — 

An  Accoumpt  given  by  the  Committee,  of  land  sould,  and  of  the  two  Rates  past 
into  their  hands,  and  parte  of  greate  rate,  the  9*11  of  y«  nth  mo.  of  1683,  which  (Com- 
mittee) weare  Mas.  Browne,  Capt.  Swayne,  And  Ensigne  Parker,  as  followeth  : 

Item,  To  Timothy  Wilele  (Wiley)  for  the  purches  of  land  for  the  min-          £       s.  d 

isteriall  house  102       o  o 

"     For  meanding  the  Meatting  House  Yhard  219 

"      "     brickes  and  pauving  tile  bought  II       7  6 

"      "     nails  bought  for  the  house  403 

"      "    limestoone,  2  tunn  I     10  o 

"      "     by  order  of  Selectmen,  payd  5     15  u 

"      "     payed  by  Mas.  Browne,  600  of  boards  I     10  o 

"      "         "      to  John  Eaton  for  apple  trees  I     17  o 

"      "         "      by  bro.  Barker  and  bro.  Joseph  (Browne  ?)  i       6  6 

"      "     frameing  the  leanto  and  700  of  boards  delivered  at  the  house 

and  for  making  and  laying  of  Troues  (Troughs  ?)  in  the 

Dreane  and  spreading  of  gravel  31?  o 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


Item,  For  work  done  in  making  of  bricks  and  carting  of  them  home 

and  for  carting  a  tunn  of  lime  stoone  I     14      6 

"      "    time  spent  as  a  Committee  man  060 

(N.  B.     The  foregoing  payments  were  by  Mas.  Browne) 
"      "    payd  by  CapL  Swayne  for  carting  of  clay  and  boards  to  the 

house  39° 

"      "    carting  and  loodeing  of  stones                     «  120 

"      "        "      of  a  loco  of  brickes  I      o      o 

"      "    a  bill  from  the  Selectmen  o     17      o 

"      "    one  days  digeing  of  clay  &  day  carting  on      6 

"      "    seting  up  the  orchard  fence  015      o 

"      "     one  day  and  i  seting  of  apple  trees  o      3      9 

"      "    4  load  of  brickes  &  carting  012      o 

"      "    535  feete  °f  boards  &  carting  I       8      o 

"      "    writeing  of  a  bond  and  coppie  020 

"      "    pulling  down  the  ould  house  o     14      o 

"      "    900  of  shingles  090 

"      "    digeing  and  carting  of  clay  to  make  bricks  o     18      o 

"      "    carting  of  half  a  tunn  of  lime  stoone  050 

"      "     frame!  ng  of  the  poarch  200 

"      "    binding  and  carting  of  shingles  030 

"      "    time  spent  as  Committee  man  ( J.  Swayne)  i     12      o 

Payd  by  Ensigne  Parker  : 

"      "     carting  and  hewing  of  timber  14      o      o 

"      "         "       of  4200  of  brickes  440 

"      "     1469  foote  of  board  400 

"      "     laying  8000  shingles  112      o 

"      "    covering  the  house  I      o      o 

"      "    work  done  at  Seabred  Taylor's  house  200 

"      "    carting  of  half  a  tunn  of  limestoone  050 

"      "        "        and  binding  of  shingles  036 

"      "    time  spent  as  Committee  man  (Ens.  Parker)  2     10      o 

There  yet  reste  in  the  Committee's  hands,  in  money,  and  as  money,  in 

nails  and  in goods  :  906 

Viz: 

In  Ensigne    Parker's  hands,  in  goods  and  nails,  but         £     s.    d. 

parte  of  them  spent,  650 

In  Capt.  Swayne's  hands  in  goods  as  money  o     13    o 

In  Mas.  Browne's  hands,  in  money  and  goods  as  money         226 


£      s.     d. 
906 
£     /.    d. 
N.  B.     More  payd  to  Josiah  Browne  o     14    o 

£      *.     d. 
The  totall  of  these  sums  is  197     17     5 


30  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

1684. — This  year,  Dea.  Thomas  Kendall,  an  original  settler,  died. 

A  further  account  of  expenses,  for  the  Parsonage,  showed  that  an  addi-      £      f.    d. 

tional  sum  was  paid  of  135     18    9 

The  former  account  was  197     17    5 

Total  cost  of  Parsonage  333     16    2 

Hananiah  Parker  was  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Reading  Company  in 
room  of  Lieu.  Damon,  and  Sargt  Goodwin  appointed  Ensign. 

This  year  Winnepurkitt,  or  Wenepoykin,  the  reigning  Sachem  of  the 
Saugus  tribe  of  Indians,  died  at  the  age  of  68. 

He  was  the  son  of  Nanepashemet,  who  resided  at  Medford.  He 
succeeded  his  older  brother  Montowampate  in  the  chieftainship  of  the 
Saugus  tribe,  who  died  in  1633,  aged  24.  It  is  said  that  Montowam- 
pate took  for  his  bride  in  1629,  the  beauteous  Wenuchus,  or  Weetamoo 
(daughter  of  Passaconaway,  Sachem  of  Pennacook,  now  Concord, 
N.  H.),  whose  bridal  and  tragic  fate  is  poetically  described  by  Whittier, 
in  his  "  Bridal  of  Pennacook." 

Wenepoykin,  who  was  b.  1616,  married  Joane  Ahawayet,  daughter  of 
Poquannum,  of  Nahant.  He  was  the  last  of  the  Saugus  Sachems,  and 
died  in  1684.  His  widow  died  in  1685. 

"  They  had  one  son,  Manatahqua,  and  three  daughters,  Petagunsk, 
Wattaquutinusk,  and  Petagoonah,  who,  if  early  historians  are  correct  in 
their  descriptions,  were  as  beautiful,  almost,  as  the  lovely  forms  which 
have  wandered  on  the  rocks  of  Nahant  in  later  times."  (His.  of  Lynn.) 

This  year,  on  petition  of  Wm.  Hawkins,  and  Anna  his  wife  (daughter 
of  Edward  Burcham,  deceased),  the  Court  ordered,  "that  the  121  acres 
of  land  lying  between  the  Southerly  side  or  bounds  of  the  Newhall  lotts 
and  the  Southerly  side  or  bounds  of  old  Mr.  Robert  Burnap's  land,  as 
per  the  plot  appears,  be,  by  a  sworne  surveyor  divided  and  laid  out  into 
three  equal  parts  or  proportions,  according  to  the  original  grants  of  the 
town  of  Lynn,  as  other  lotts  lye  in  length  from  Easte  to  West,  and  that 
that  bigger  part  thereof,  lying  next  to  the  land  of  said  Burnap  Lent, 
towards  the  North,  is  undoubtedly,  and  shall  be  accounted  the  land, 
and  be  in  plenary  possession  of  the  said  Wm.  Hawkins,  in  right  of  his 
wife  Anna,  daughter  and  heire  of  Edward  Burcham,  deceased." 

1685.  —  This  year  the  town  offered  a  bounty  of  15^.  for  the  killing  of 
an  old  bear,  and  los.  for  the  killing  of  a  sucking  cub. 

This  year  the  town  chose  two  moderators  to  preside  at  its  town 
meetings,  —  this  practice  continued  several  years. 

Town  voted,  that  all  those  persons  that  inhabit  on  the  north  side  of 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  3! 

Ipswich  River,  in  our  town  bounds,  viz.  John  Upton,  Senr.,  John  Upton, 
Jr.,  George  Flint,  Thomas  Burt,  Philip  Mclntier,  John  Phelps,  Richard 
Harnden,  and  Francis  Hutchinson,  shall  have  those  two  pieces  of  land, 
namely  :  4<  the  towne's  land  in  Sadler's  Neck,  so  called,"  and  "  that 
piece  of  Common  land,  that  lyeth  at  the  upper  end  of  Mr.  Bellingham's 
farme  and  belongs  to  the  towne." 

Town  ordered,  "  that  the  old  ministerial  barn  be  pulled  down  and  a 
new  one  20  x  20  built." 

The  Court  granted  to  Jeremiah  Swayne,  Samuel  Damon,  Samuel 
Lamson,  Wm.  Robbins,  James  Pike,  Jr.,  and  James  Nichols  of  Reading, 
and  to  sundry  inhabitants  of  Lynn,  Beverly,  and  Hingham,  a  tract  of 
land  in  the  "  Nipmug  Country,"  8  miles  square,  for  their  services  in  the 
late  Indian  War. 

Highway  from  Reading  to  Woburn  laid  out  as  follows  :  "  Beginning 
at  ye  Country  road  near  Sarg'  Parker's  house "  (Serg*  Parker  lived 
where  M.  F.  Leslie  now,  1868,  lives),  "and  so  along  by  the  meadow, 
caled  Hoopper's  Meddow,  and  by  the  foot  of  ye  hill,  which  is  above  ye 
leest  of  three  ponds ;  from  thence  to  the  way  marked  out  by  Sarg* 
Parker,  throwe  Charlestown  land  to  Woburn  River,  neer  John  Richard- 
son's house,  and  so  up  by  the  side  of  ye  hill,  before  said  Richardson's 
door ;  and  then  to  turn  westward  to  the  way  called  Woburn  Town 
Highway  ;  and  then  to  continue  that  way  throw  John  Richardson's 
land,  Tho.  Graves'  land,  and  over  ye  river  againe,  and  from  thence  up 
betwixt  Nathaniel  Richardson's  barne  and  orchyard,  and  so  continew- 
ing  in  that  way  till  it  meets  with  the  Country  highway  that  comes  from 
Wobourne  by  the  Converses'  Saw  Mill,  in  testimony  that  this  is  our 
joy'nt  agreement,  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hand  this  Mar.  31,  1685  — 
John  Cutler  of  Charlestowne,  John  Greene  of  Maiden,  Jeremiah  Swayne 
of  Redding,  Francis  Moore  of  Cambridge,  Jemes  Converse  of  Wo- 
borne." 

A  highway  from  Reading  to  Charlestown  (probably  to  what  is  now 
Stoneham)  was  also  laid  out  this  year.  There  was  another  division  of 
public  lands  this  year  among  the  several  inhabitants. 


1686.  —  It  appears  that  the  towne  of  Reading  purchased  of  the 
Indians  the  territory  of  Reading  some  years  prior  to  this  date,  for  the 
sum  of  about  ten  pounds ;  but  it  had  not  been  paid  for. 

This  year  an  assessment  was  laid  to  raise  the  money ;  and  the  follow- 
ing is  a  "  Coppie  of  A  Rate  made  to  be  payd  in  money,  to  be  payd 
to  the  Indians  for  the  purches  of  the  town's  land  : 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Joseph  Hartshorne 
John  Woodward 
Capt.  John  Browne 
Edward  Taylor 
Joseph  Browne 
John  Bacheller 
Jonas  Eaton 
John  Eaton 
Tho.  Nichols 
Ralph  Dixe 
Wid.  Dustin 
Lt.  Hananiah  Parker 
David  Bacheller 
Rob'  Burnap  Sen' 
Tho.  Burnap  Sen 
Thos  Burnap  Jr 
Capt  Jer.  Swayne 
Cornelius  Browne 
Josiah  Browne 
Timothy  Wiley 
Matthew  Edwards 
Samuel  Fitch 
Benj.  Hartshorne 
Saml  Lamson 
Nathl  Cowdrey 
Tho.  Taylor  Senr 
Tho.  Taylor  Jr. 
John  Browne 
John  Parker 
Wm  Hupper 
Dea.  John  Damon 
Tho.  Damon 
Jona.  Eaton 
Joshua  Eaton 
James  Stimpson 
Henry  Felch 
John  Felch 
John  Weston  Jr. 
Tho  Jackson 
Wid.  Merrow 
Tho.  Bancroft 
Jeremiah  Pike 
John  Boutwell 
John  Eaton  Jr. 
Nathl  Cutler 
John  Thompson 


j.  d. 

o  5  Benja  Fitch 

0  6  Joseph  Fitch 

4  2  John  Weston 

1  5  John  Dunton 

2  6  Lt.  Haysey 

3  10        Francis  Smith 

1  6  Left  Smith 

5  i  Capt  Eph.  Savage 

2  7  Saml  Dunton 

4  o  Adam  Coulson 

0  6  Dea.  Wm.  Cowdrey 

3  5  Tho.  Clarke 
3  2  Tho.  Arnall 

1  9  Nicholas  Rice 

I  4  Rob*  Burnap  Jr 

1  2  Tho.  Hodgman 

5  6  James  Boutwell 

2  9  Ens.  Nathl  Goodwin 

2  II  John  Nichols 

3  o  Abrm  Bryant 

6  o  John  Burnap 
o  10  Nathl  Parker 

o  IO  James  Pike  Sen' 

0  6  James  Pike  Jr. 

1  5  James  Nichols, 
3  4  Samuel  Damon 

o  6  Mas.  John  Herbert 

o  8  Francis  Hutchinson 

2  7  Isaac  Hart 

0  9  Richard  Harnden 

1  2  Geo.  Flint  &  Bro. 

0  5  Joel  Jenkins 

1  6  John  Upton 

1  9  John  Upton  Jr 
o  6  Tho.  Burt 

2  2  Philip  Mclntier 
o  2  John  Phelps 

o  3  Capt.  Curwin 

0  6  Edward  Hutchinson 

1  8  John  Scolley  &  Ruffe 

2  4  Mas.  Hills 

o  3  Mas.  Wmborne 

0  6  Ens.  Newell 

1  7  Town  of  Reading 
i  3  John  Richardson 
o  6 


s.  d. 

5  3 

i  o 

o  ii 

O  II 

5  2 

3  " 

3  9 

17  3 

0  9 

1  2 

i  6 

i  5 

0  3 

1  2 

2  II 

O 


o 

5 
8 
6 
3 
7 
6 

9 
9 
o 

3 

2 

6 

2 
II 

5 
10 

6 
4 

2 


7  10 

3  5 

2  9 

1  3 

2  O 

o  7 

3  9 
2  4 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


33 


Our  ancestors  received  a  deed  from  the  Indians  of  their  township. 
(See  Appendix  A.) 

This  year,  Capt.  Ephraim  Savage  (the  wealthiest  and  a  very  influen- 
tial inhabitant  of  Reading),  having  prosecuted  the  town  and  attached 
land,  the  town  chose  "  their  trusty  and  well  beloved  friends,  Capt.  Jere- 
miah Swayne  and  Mas.  John  Browne  their  true  and  lawful  attorneys  to 
defend  the  town  and  implead  Capt.  Ephr™  Savage  at  the  next  County 
Court." 

In  this  suit,  Capt.  Savage  sued  for  possession  and  title  to  about  300 
acres  of  meadow  land  in  the  "  two  mile  grant  "  (now  North  Reading), 
and  being  part  of  a  tract  of  land  called  "  Burcham  Meadow,"  so  named 
after  Edward  Burcham,  who  was  an  original  proprietor  of  a  large  por- 
tion of  it.  These  300  acres  had  been  granted  by  the  town  to  Shubael 
Walker  for  services  rendered,  as  has  been  already  explained  under  the 
year  1679.  —  Capt.  Savage,  in  right  of  his  wife,  who  was  wid.  of  Oba- 
diah  Walker  and  dau.  of  Rev.  Mr.  Haugh,  contended  for  the  title 
to  the  land. 

The  case  was  decided  in  favor  of  the  town. 

1687.  —  This  year,  Dea.  Wm.  Cowdrey  died,  aged  85.     He  was  one 
of  the  very  earliest  settlers  of  the  town,  and  one  of  its  most  useful  and 
estimable  citizens.     He  was  Town  Clerk  from  the  settlement  of  the 
place  as  long  as  he  lived  ;  and  although  for  the  last  few  years  of  his 
life  he  was  too  feeble  to  perform  the  duties  of  the  office,  the  town 
would  not  elect  a  successor,  but  chose  a  Town  Clerk,  pro  tcnipore,  for 
six  years.     He  was  always  one  of  the  Selectmen,  and  generally  chair- 
man, and  often  a  Representative  to  General  Court,  and  wrote  nearly 
all  the  wills  of  his  fellow-citizens  made  during  the  time. 

This  year  the  town  chose  his  son,  Nathaniel  Cowdrey,  Town  Clerk, 
in  his  father's  stead. 

Adam  Colson,  also  an  early  settler,  died  this  year. 

This  year  the  town  paid  James  Stimpson  15  shillings  for  killing  an 
old  bear  ;  paid  John  Eaton  of  ye  plain,  and  some  others,  2^.  for  killing 
three  young  bears  ;  paid  John  Upton,  Jr.,  George  Flint,  and  Steven  Fish 
for  killing  one  old  bear  and  two  young  ones,  i£.  &  15  shillings  ;  and 
paid  Richard  Harnden  15  shillings  for  killing  one  old  bear. 
i 

1688.  — This  year  Rev.  John  Brock,  the  third  pastor  of  the  church 
in  Reading,  died,  aged  68.      For  further  particulars  concerning  Mr. 
Brock,  see  subsequent  list  of  early  settlers. 

5 


34 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


A  subscription  fora  new  Meeting-house  was  obtained,  and  the  follow- 

ing is  a  list  of  the  names  and  contributions  of  the  subscribers  :  — 

£    *•    d. 

£      t-    d. 

Rev.  John  Brock 

>       Is      O 

Robert  Burnap 

500 

Joseph  Hartshorn 

200 

Joseph  Burnap 

2         O      O 

John  Woodward 

200 

Sergt  Tho.  Hodgman 

500 

Capt.  John  Browne 

IO        O      O 

James  Boutwell 

800 

Joseph  Browne 

500 

Wid  Rebecca  Kendall 

I       10      0 

Edw<J  Taylor 

300 

Seabred  Taylor 

2        O      O 

John  Bachelder 

800 

Sergt  John  Parker 

900 

John  Eaton  Sen 

800 

Jonathan  Eaton 

300 

Tho.  Nichols 

6    10    o 

Joshua  Eaton 

706 

John  Dix 

500 

Dea.  John  Damon 

2        O      O 

Left.  Hananiah  Parker, 

IO        O      O 

Thos  Damon 

5      o    o 

David  Bachelder 

o     15    o 

Matthew  Edwards 

600 

Maj  Jereh  Swayne 

IO        O      O 

Wm.  Hooper 

2       1C      O 

Cornelius  Browne  Sen 

3     10    o 

John  Weston  Jr 

2         O      O 

Josiah  Browne 

400 

James  Stimpson 

2         O      O 

Timothy  Wiley 

400 

Geo.  Walker  Jr 

I       10      0 

Tho.  Burnap  Jr 

2      10      0 

Sergt.  Henry  Felch 

2         0      O 

Dea.  Benj.  Fitch 

800 

Daniel  Merrow 

2        O      O 

Joseph  Fitch  Jr.  &.  Sen' 

4     12    o 

Capt  Tho.  Bancroft 

7OO 

John  Weston  Sen* 

100 

Richard  Harnden 

35° 

John  Boutwell, 

3      oo 

John  Eaton,  of  the  plain 

7OO 

Jeremiah  Pike 

270 

Samuel  Lamson 

400 

James  Pike  Sen' 

2      15      0 

John  Upton 

600 

Nath'l  Cutler 

600 

John  Upton  Jr 

2      IO      6 

John  Tomson 

0      13      2 

Philip  Mclntier 

3.00 

John  Burnap 

o    18    o 

Tho.  Burt 

209 

Sergt  Nath'l  Parker 

500 

Geo.  Flint 

3     10    o 

Samuel  Damon 

500 

Francis  Hutchinson 

3      o    o 

James  Nichols 

470 

Wid.  Phelps 

060 

John  Felch 

O      II      O 

Stephen  Fisk 

100 

Joseph  Dutton 

2        O      O 

Sam'l  Dix 

2        O      O 

Sergt  Abrm  Bryant 

700 

Jonas  Eaton                    1  1  ' 

N.  .B     The 

John  Nichols 

700 

John  Browne  of  the  hill 

figures 

Benja  Hartshorne 

500 

Joseph  Felch 

against 
these  five 

Samuel  Weston 

I       10      0 

James  Pike  Jr 

names  are 

NatW  Goodwin 

800 

Tho.  Taylor  Jr 

illegible. 

The  following  subscriptions  were  received  from  persons  living  at 

Lynn  End,  then  a  part 

of  Lynn, 

and  now  Lynnfield  :  — 

£     s.     d. 

£     *•    d. 

John  Pearson 

6*    12      O 

John  Bancroft 

300 

Maudlin  Pearson 

I       10      0 

Hananiah  Hutchinson 

'     I       IO      O 

Peter  Haies 

i     15    o 

Benj.  Hutchinson 

100 

Abra'n1  Roberts 

I       10      0 

Edward  Hutchinson 

2      10      0 

Wm  Robbins 

I         O      O 

Isaac  Hart 

10         I      0 

OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


35 


£    s.    d.  £  *.  d. 

Daniel  Cowing  i     10    o  Shubael  Stearns  o  10  o 

John  Gowing  200  Timo.  Hartshorne  3  o  o 

Capt.  Tho.  Bancroft  500  Robert  Gowing  3       i  o 

Daniel  Eaton  2      90  Nath'l  Gowing  I  19  o 

Abr°»  Wellman  o     13    6  Edw'd  Marshall  2  10  6 

Isaac  Wellman  o     19    o  John  Townsend  2  o  o 

Robert  Uaots  I       50  Geo.  Lewy  or  Lewis  2  o  o 

John  Poole  7      i    6  Tho.  Aelwell                 Figures  illegible. 

The  following  subscriptions  were  received  from  persons  living  at 
Charlestown  End,  then  a  part  of  Charlestown,  and  now  Stoneham  :  — 

£  t.  d.                                                 £  s.  d. 

John  Gould                                  4  18  4  Michael  Smith                            o  10  o 

Daniel  Gould                              3  o  o  Tho.  Cutler                                 I  o  o 

Tho.  Gerry                                  3  o  o  Samuel  Cowdrey                         I  o  o 

Matthew  Smith  Sen'                  o  10  o  Andrew  Phillips                          I  o  o 

Matthew  Smith  Jr                      2  10  o 

—  Joseph  Richardson  of  Woburn  paid                                                               o  I  o 

This  year  "  the  people  of  Massachusetts,  in  addition  to  the  griev- 
ances which  they  suffered  under  the  tyranical  administration  of  Sir 
Edmund  Andros,  were  again,  after  a  twelve  years'  respite,  afflicted  with 
he  horrors  of  an  Indian  war.  It  was  called  Castine's  war,  from  the 
Baron  de  Saint  Castine,  a  Frenchman,  who  had  married  a  daughter  of 
Madochawando,  the  Penobscot  chief,  and  whose  house,  in  his  absence, 
had  been  plundered  by  the  English.  The  Canadian  French  also  united 
with  the  Indians  in  their  depredations,  which  were  continued  at  inter- 
vals till  1698."  (Coffin.) 

Aug.  29.  —  "  Maj.  Jeremiah  Swayne  of  Reading  was  appointed  and 
commissioned  by  Court  as  Commander  in  chief  of  all  the  forces  now 
raised  and  detached  out  of  the  several  Regiments  within  the  Colony, 
against  the  Kennebec  and  Eastern  Indians  and  their  confederates,  with 
power  to  fight,  take,  kill  and  destroy  the  said  enemy  by  all  the  ways 
and  means  possible."  He  was  furnished  by  the  Court  with  ten  pounds 
for  fitting  himself  for  the  expedition. 

Maj.  Swayne  had  his  head-quarters  at  Salmon  Falls,  in  Berwick,  Me., 
and  was  engaged  in  several  battles  with  the  enemy,  and  had  the  repu- 
tation of  being  an  able  and  brave  officer. 

June  26,  Rev.  Jonathan  Pierpont  was  ordained  and  settled,  as  the 
Fourth  Pastor  of  the  church  in  Reading.  For  a  further  account  of  Mr. 
Pierpont,  see  subsequent  list  of  early  settlers. 

The  town  voted,  "  that  the  new  Meeting  house,  when  sett  up,  should 
stand  at  Hart's  corner,  or  near  thereabouts." 


36  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

"  Hart's  Corner  "  was  probably  the  corner  near  where  John  F.  Harts- 
horne  now  lives,  and  the  new  Meeting-house,  which  was  the  second,  and 
which  was  erected  about  this  time,  stood  in  the  easterly  part  of  what  is 
now  the  larger  old  Burial-Ground,  on  the  spot  where  is  now  the  monu- 
ment of  Rev.  John  Mellen. 

1690.  —  A  company  of  soldiers  was  called  for  from  Reading  to  join 
in  the  Canada  Expedition,  in  connection  with  the   Indian  War,  and 
Ephraim    Savage   was   appointed  its  Captain.     Jonathan   Poole   and 
Nath'l  Goodwin  were  subalterns.     Maj.  Jeremiah  Swayne  is  nominated 
for  one  of  the  magistrates  for  this  year. 

Paid  "  Goodwif  Lilley,  for  sweeping  the  Meeting  house  for  the  year 
1690,  three  bushells  of  Indyun  Corne." 

1691.  —  Jeremiah  Swayne  was  empowered  by  the  Court  to  join  par- 
ties in  marriage  at  Reading.     Dea.  Benja.  Fitch  and  Sergt.  John  Parker 
were  appointed  Leather  Sealers. 

Gershom  Davies,  Henry  Merrow,  and  Andrew  Beard  were  warned 
out  of  town. 

This  ceremony  was  performed,  from  time  to  time,  for  many  succeed- 
ing years,  in  relation  to  such  new-comers  as,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
town,  were  likely  to  need  pecuniary  assistance. 

"  Jonathan  Poole  was  appointed  to  carry  the  soldiers'  '  debentors '  to 
Boston,  and  to  bring  up  thence  their  Bills  of  credit  and  deliver  them  to 
the  Selectmen."  These  "  debentors "  (debentures)  were  Government 
certificates  and  evidence  of  claim  upon  Government  for  services  in  the 
Indian  War. 

"  Widdow  (James)  Stimson,  appearing  before  the  Selectmen,  com- 
playning  to  them  that  her  house  is  not  habitable,  by  reson  of  the  stoop 
falling  done,  —  her  husband,  Dr.  James,  had  recently 'deceased  ; —  her 
son  James  joined  in  the  complaynt,  and  together  prayed  for  aid  in 
securing  their  corne  and  provision.  Jeremiah  Pike  was  appointed  to 
assist  the  son  in  removing  the  corne  and  provisions  to  the  house  of 
Sergt  John  Parker,  and  to  instruct  and  oversee  the  said  James,  that  he 
doth  improve  his  time  in  carefull  tending  of  the  cattell,  and  providing 
fire  wood  convenient,  that  his  mother  may  not  suffer ;  also  to  advise 
and  order  him  in  managing  his  affairs,  that  he  makes  neither  strip  nor 
waste  of  his  father's  estate,  until  there  is  further  order  taken  and  a 
settlement  of  the  estate  by  the  Court.  Dec.  1690." —  (N.  B.  James 
was  now  21  years  old.) 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


37 


This  falling  house,  the  late  residence  of  Dr.  James  Stimpson,  then 
recently  deceased,  stood  on  Cowdrey's  hill ;  and  Sergt.  John  Parker 
lived  where  M.  F.  Leslie  resided  in  1868. 

1692.  —  This  year  commenced  the  famous  witchcraft  delusion,  which 
occasioned  so  much  terror,  distress,  and  suffering  in  Massachusetts. 
"  It  originated  in  Salem  Village,  now  Danvers  or  Peabody,  in  the  fam- 
ily of  the  minister,  whose  daughter  and  niece,  girls  of  ten  or  eleven 
years  of  age,  and  other  girls  in  the  neighborhood,  began  to  act  very 
strangely ;  appeared  to  fall  into  fits,  would  creep  into  holes,  under 
benches  and  chairs,  put  therriselves  into  odd  postures,  and,  as  the  phy- 
sicians who  examined  them  could  give  no  satisfactory  name  to  their 
apparent  disorder,  and  probably  feeling  that  they  must  say  something, 
one  of  them  very  gravely  pronounced  them  bewitched.  From  this  be- 
ginning, originating  in  fraud  and  imposture,  and  continued  by  super- 
stition and  ignorance,  the  fearful  results  of  that  terrible  excitement 
succeeded."  In  the  language  of  Rev.  Charles  W.  Upham,  "All  the 
securities  of  society  were  dissolved.  Every  man's  life  was  at  the  mercy 
of  every  other  man.  Fear  sat  on  every  countenance ;  terror  and  dis- 
tress were  in  all  hearts,  silence  pervaded  the  streets  ;  many  people  left 
the  country ;  all  business  was  at  a  stand,  and  the  feeling,  dismal  and 
horrible  indeed,  became  general,  that  the  providence  of  God  was  re- 
moved from  them,  and  that  they  were  given  over  to  the  dominion  of 
Satan." 

From  this  terrible  affliction  Reading  was  not  exempt. 

Four  women,  belonging  to  Reading,  were  arrested  and  examined  for 
witchcraft,  and  imprisoned  in  Boston  for  it.  Their  names  were  Lydia 
Dustin,  Sarah  Dustin,  Mary  Taylor,  and  Sarah,  wife  of  Nicholas  Rice. 
They  were  subsequently  acquitted. 

This  year  the  town  sold  the  old  "  Meeting  house  "  for  twenty-five  shil- 
lings and  the  building  of  the  Watch  House  frame.  "  This  money  was 
payd  to  Capt.  Browne  in  part  pay  for  the  scoole." 

This  year  there  was  another  general  Division  of  lands,  on  the  East- 
erly and  Westerly  sides  of  the  town.  The  list  of  the  names  of  the 
Drawers  is  given,  with  their  respective  minister  taxes,  for  the  purpose 
of  showing  who  were  residents  of  the  town  at  this  date,  and  their  rela- 
tive pecuniary  reputation. 

£    *•      d.  £    t.    d. 

Sergt.  Henry  Felch                  o     10      o  Jonh  Merrow  070 

Seabred  Taylor                        060  James  Nichols  o     15      o 

Joshua  Eaton                            120  Jonathan  Eaton  o     14      2 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


£ 

s. 

d. 

Josiah  Hodgman 

0 

II 

i 

Jereh.  Swayne 

James  Pike 

i 

o 

6 

Henry  Merrow 

James  Pike  Jr. 

0 

II 

9 

Tho.  Clarke 

Tho.  Parker 

0 

9 

o 

James  Boutwell  Jr. 

John  Eaton  (of  the  plain) 

I 

3 

0 

John  Bachelder 

John  Burnap 

o 

IO 

o 

Jona.  Pierpont 

John  Weston  Jr. 

0 

9 

6 

Tho.  Boutwell 

Maj.  Jereh  Swayne 

I 

17 

6 

John  Dickerman 

Francis  Smith 

I 

6 

o 

John  Herbert 

Joseph  Felch 

o 

7 

6 

John  Woodward 

John  Nichols 

I 

13 

o 

Joseph  Burnap 

Stephen  Weston 

o 

5 

0 

Cornelius  Browne  Senr 

John  Damon 

o 

16 

0 

Joseph  Hartshorne 

John  Boutwell 

I 

2 

o 

Robert  Burnap 

Samuel  Fitch 

o 

16 

7 

John  Eaton  Sen' 

Nath'l  Cutler 

I 

8 

o 

Jonas  Eaton 

Jereh  Pike 

o 

12 

3 

Joseph  Fitch       "> 

Nath'l  Goodwin 

I 

16 

o 

Joseph  Fitch  Jr.  y 

John  Weston  Sen: 

o 

7 

ii 

John  Dunton 

James  Boutwell  Sen 

I 

ii 

0 

Wm.  Cowdrey 

Capt.  Ephraim  Savage 

I 

8 

o 

Cornelius  Browne  Jr. 

John  Parker  3d 

0 

9 

0 

Samuel  Poole 

Sergt  Tho.  Hodgman 

I 

o 

3 

Tho.  Nichols 

Wm.  Hooper 

0 

15 

IO 

John  Dix 

Nath'l  Parker 

I 

4 

6 

Dea.  Benj.  Fitch 

Tho.  Damon 

o 

15 

9 

Jonan.  Poole 

Nicholas  Rice 

I 

4 

i 

John  Browne 

Wm.  Arnold 

I 

19 

6 

John  Pratt 

John  Browne  (of  the  hill) 

0 

13 

3 

Capt.  John  Browne 

John  Felch 

o 

ii 

o 

Sam'l  Dunton 

Benj.  Hartshorne 

0 

18 

i 

Isaac  Southwick 

Joseph  Browne 

0 

5 

2 

Timothy  Wiley 

David  Batchelder 

o 

14 

10 

David  Hartshorne 

Tho.  Burnap  Sen' 

I 

6 

5 

Hananiah  Parker 

Wid.  Dustin  or  Colson 

I 

3 

4 

John  Parker 

Tho.  Burnap  Jr. 

I 

5 

9 

Francis  Hutchenson 

Saml  Lamson 

0 

H 

2 

Stephen  Fiske 

o  15 
8 

7 
I 

s 

o 
1 8 

'a 

o 
o 

i 

o  18 
o   4 

*   3 

0  12 

1  12 
I    O 


d. 
IO 

3 
5 
o 
6 
o 


i  13 

O  12 

o  18 

0  6 

1  9 

1  10 

2  8   10 

090 

o  14 

O  II 

0  9 

1  O 

0  10 

1  5 

i  4 


o 

7 
o 
o 

9 
o 
I 
7 
5 
8 
n 

5 
o 

3 
o 

3 
9 


(not  stated) 


1693.  —  Town  voted  that  there  should  be  a  Free  School  kept  in  the 
town. 

The  town  had  been  presented  to  the  Court  in  1680  for  want  of  a 
Grammar  School,  and  in  1692  an  appropriation  of  25  shillings  was 
made  in  part  for  the  school ;  so  that  it  may  be  inferred  that  some  sort 
of  a  school  had  been  maintained  before  ;  but  the  above  vote  affords 
the  first  evidence  of  a  Public  Town  School. 

For  several  years  the  town  had  been  taxed  towards  the  maintenance 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


39 


of  Mystic  Bridge  in  Medford,  on  the  ground,  it  is  presumed,  that  the 
people  of  Reading  were  obliged  to  pass  over  that  bridge  in  going  to 
Boston.  The  town  had  frequently  complained  of  the  injustice  of  the 
tax ;  but  this  year  it  voted,  "  that  they  will  not  be  at  any  charge  to 
repair  Mystic  bridge  unless  compelled  to  it  by  law." 

Town  chose  Tythingmen  for  the  first  time. 

Town  voted  a  bounty  of  two  pence  a  head  for  blackbirds  killed  be- . 
tween  May  i,  and  the  middle  of  June. 

Town  voted,  "  a  Rate  of  four  pounds  for  a  scoole  in  the  towne  for  3 
months,  and  if  longer  time,  proportionable  —  and  two  pounds  for  the 
west  end  of  the  town  (Woodend)  and  one  pound  for  those  that  live  on 
the  north  side  of  Ipswich  river,  if  they  sett  up  a  scoole  for  reading  and 
writing,  and  so  proportionably  for  longer  time,  if  the  Selectmen  see 
dtose." 

Town  paid  2  pounds  for  mending  the  Stocks  and  Pound. 

John  Browne,  Esq,  was  one  of  a  Committee  of  ten  persons,  ap- 
pointed by  the  Court,  to  prepare  an  address  to  their  Majesties  for  the 
continuance  of  Gov.  Phipps. 

1694.  — Town  voted,  "  that  there  should  be  but  one  house  of  enter- 
tainment in  town." 

Voted,  also,  "  that  there  shall  be  stiade  trees  left  upon  the  Common ; 
and  that  no  person  shall  fall,  girdle,  bark,  or  lop  any  of  these  trees,  left 
for  shade,  marked  with  the  letter  '  R.'  upon  pain  and  penalty  of  5-r.  per 
tree." 

Voted,  also,  "  that  no  tree  shall  be  marked  that  stands  within  3  or  4 
poles  ,of  the  South  or  West  sides  of  any  man's  land." 

Town  chose  for  the  first  time  a  separate  board  of  assessors,  viz. : 
Capt  John^Browne,  Dea.  Benja.  Fitch,  and  Capt.  Tho.  Bancroft. 

Town  "paid  2S.  yd.  for  fitting  up  the  house  where  Mas.  Lines  kept 
scoole." 

This  Master  Lines  may  have  been  Nicholas  Lynde  (son  of  Joseph,  of 
Charlestown),  who  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1690. 

Mr.  Pierpont's  salary  this  year  was  ,£35  in  money  and  .£35  in 
produce. 

1695.  — Joseph  Upton  was  schoolmaster  in  1694-5. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Meeting  house,  both  of  Red- 
ding and  of  Lynn,  it  was  agreed  that  all  the  overplush,  that  was  yet  to 
come  in  should  be  '  improved  about  the  Meeting  house,  under  the 


40  ENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

direction  of  a  Committee.'  Chose  Capt.  Browne,  Capt.  Swayne,  Capt. 
Bancroft,  Left.  Pearson,  Dea.  Damon,  Dea.  Fitch  and  John  Bachelder 
to  order  and  give  liberty  to  make  seats  for  the  best  advantage,  and  to 
seat  persons ;  with  power  to  improve  the  corners  and  back  seats  in  the 
M.  House,  for  the  whole  that  may  be,  both  for  ornament  and  conven- 
ience ;  and  if  any  matter  be  difficult  among  themselves,  to  advise  with 
ten  or  more  of  the  principal  proprietors  in  the  matter  of  the  removing 
or  cutting  of  seats,  if  need  be." 

1696.  —  "  The  glory  of  God  being  the  chief  end,  that  all  men's  actions 
ought  to  aim  at,  and  the  promotion  and  upholding  of  the  public  worship 
of  God,  being  one  great  part  of  our  duty,  we,  the  freeholders  and  other 
inhabitants  of  Reading,  having  considered  the  great  distance  of  such 
in  this  town,  as  live  on  the  North  side  of  Ipswich  river  and  Barte 
meadow,  from  the  place  of  God's  worship  among  us,  whereby  they 
many  times  labor  under  great  difficulty  in  coming  to  God's  house, 
oftentimes  cannot  come,  and  seldom  can  bring  their  children,  do  there- 
fore at  a  general  town  meeting,  held  by  the  proprietors  and  other 
inhabitants,  on  the  2d  of  March  1695-6  ;  —  we,  for  ourselves,  our  heirs 
and  successors,  vote  unanimously,  agree  and  order,  and  be  it  hereby 
enacted,  ordered  and  confirmed,  that  all  that  tract  of  land,  in  our 
township,  lying  on  the  North  side  o/  Ipswich  river,  so  called,  that  is  to 
say:  bounded  Westerly  by  Woburn,  by  Andover  Northerly,  and  by 
Salem  line  Easterly ;  as  also  all  that  land  in  our  township,  lying  on  the 
North  side  of  Bare  Meadow,  commonly  called  '  Sadler's  Neck,'  as  it  is 
bounded  'by  Lynn  line  of  township  with  us,  and  so  to  river  aforesaid  ; 
—  we  say  that  when,  and  as  soon  as  that  there  is  such  a  suitable  and 
competent  number  of  inhabitants  settled  on  the  tract  of  land  aforesaid  ; 
that  when  they  do  call  and  settle  and  maintain  a  godly,  learned,  ortho- 
dox minister,  that  they  shall  be  free  from  paying  to  the  minister  or 
ministry  in  the  town,  or  on  the  South  side  of  the  aforesaid  river,  and 
that  for  so  long  as  they  so  do." 

The  town  also  voted,  "  that  our  neighbors  and  friends  of  Lynn  (Lynn- 
field)  shall  have  liberty  of  the  Common  for  2  or  3  poles  of  land,  for  to 
make  sheds  for  their  horses  to  stand  in  on  Sabbath  days  or  Lecture 
days  for  the  term  of  10,  15  or  20  years,  or  longer,  if  the  town  see 
cause,  —  where  the  Selectmen  may  appont  them.  Also  such  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Reading  as  will,  to  have  the  same  privilege." 

The  Selectmen  "  cleared  Maj.  Swayne  of  the  arrears  of  his  highway 
work,  in  consideration  of  what  he  has  done  for  Robbard  Cann  and 
Goodwife  Lilley  in  'Chioriors'  (chirurgery ?)  and  Physic." 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  41 

Maj.  Swayne  was  a  physician. 

1697. —  "The  Selectmen  did  agree  with  Jonathan  Poole  for  the 
keeping  a  scolle  in  this  tovvne  for  to  tech  the  young  people  to  wright, 
to  read  and  to  cast  up  accounts,  soe  far  as  ye  said  Poole  could,  and 
they  cappable  to  larne,  in  the  time.  \  . 

"  The  scoole  was  to  be  opened  on  the  27th  December,  and  soe  to  con- 
tinue two  month  sartian ;  and  said  Poole  is  to  have  and  be  alowed  for 
his  pains  2  £  per  month,  money,  and  soe  proportionabl  for  longer  time, 
if  sd.  Poole  doth  atend  that  sarvice  for  longer  time  than  two  month ; 
to  be  payd  before  or  upon  some  time  in  November  next  after  ye  date 
hereof. 

"  Furthermore,  it  was  agreed  with  said  Jonathan  Poole,  that  hee  should 
fiend  firewood  for  the  use  of  said  scoole  at  6/s.  per  month,  for  two  or 
three  months  of  the  time  the  scoole  held  :  but  if  said  Poole  found  it 
hard  soe  to  done,  yn  hee  was  to  have  some  consideration  alowed  him 
on  this  account." 

1698. — The  Mystic  bridge  case  having  been  decided  against  the 
town  at  the  Inferior  Court  of  Pleas,  the  town  voted  to  join  Woburn 
and  Maiden  in  prosecuting  an  appeal  to  the  Superior  Court. 

Town  voted  "  that  Mr.  Pierpont's  salary,  which  had  been  35^  in 
money,  and  $$£  in  Country  pay,  shall  hereafter  be  6o£  annually  in  or 
as  money." 

1699.  — Voted  "  that  the  town  will  pay  ioj.  towards  the  purchasing 
of  land  on  Lyn  side  of  the  river,  at  Daniel  Eaton's  Mill  to  the  better 
accommodation  of  the  County  road  to   Salem."     This  Daniel  Eaton 
was  the  son  of  Wm.  Eaton,  and  lived  in  Lynnfield,  and  his  mill  was  on 
the  site  recently  occupied  by  S.  G.  Lane's  Organ  Factory. 

1700.  —  Hannah  Person,  wife  of  Isaac  Person,  warned  out  of  town. 
She  was  born,  married,  and  lived  many  years  in  Maiden.     She  refusing 
to  go  on  the  constable's  order,  a  warrant  was  issued  by  James  Converse, 
Esq.,  for  her  forcible  removal. 

6 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


CHAPTER    II. 


A  GENEALOGICAL  LIST  OF  EARLY  SETTLERS, 

GIVING  THEIR  LOCATION,  SO  FAR  AS  KNOWN,  THE  SUCCESSION  OF  THEIR 
FAMILIES  FOR  SEVERAL  GENERATIONS  (WHEN  THEY  REMAINED  IN  THE 
TOWN),  WITH  SUCH  HISTORICAL  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES  OF  THEM 
AS  WE  ARE  ABLE  TO  GIVE  AFTER  THE  LAPSE  OF  TWO  CENTURIES. 

IT  is  intended  that  this  list  shall  include  all  the  names  of  all  the  men 
who  settled  in  the  town  prior  to  the  year  1700,  with  their  descendants 
for  two,  three,  and  sometimes  more  generations. 

It  is  not  presumed  that  the  list  is  complete,  or  that  it  is  free  of  errors ; 
but  it  is  as  nearly  correct  as  our  time  and  means  have  enabled  us  to 
make  it,  and  will  be  found  sufficiently  so,  we  believe,  to  be  interesting 
to  the  antiquarian,  and  enable  many  a  descendant  to  trace  his  gene- 
alogy to  the  fathers  and  mothers  of  ancient  Reading. 

ABBOTT,  Ebenezer,  of  Andover,  had  five  children,  viz.  Ebenezer, 
Ephraim,  Hannah,  Betsey,  and  Sally. 

ABBOTT,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Ebenezer  of  Andover,  born  1757  ;  married, 
1783,  Sarah  Graves,  and  settled  in  Reading,  N.  Parish,  and  had 
chil. :  Ebenezer,  born  Mar.  n,  1784;  Ephraim,  b.  1786;  Sally, 
b.  1788  ;  Eliab,  b.  1790,  and  died  in  the  war  of  1812  ;  Sally,  zd, 
b.  1792  ;  Daniel,  b.  1794;  Lydia,  b.  1796  ;  Nabby,  b.  1799,  and 
Joshua,  b.  1 80 1. 

ABBOTT,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Sarah,  who  was  b.  1784 ;  m. 
1807,  Betsey  Swain  ;  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  d. 
1867  ;  his  wife  d.  1852.  His  chil.  were:  Ebenezer  T.,  b.  1808  ; 
Sumner  S.,  b.  1809  ;  Betsey,  b.  1810 ;  Benja.  S.,  b.  1812  ;  Joseph 
H.,  b.  1814;  Samuel  E.,b.  1816  ;  Sarah,  b.  1818;  Frederic,  b. 
1820;  Wm.  W.,  1827,  and  Daniel  G.,  b.  1829. 

ABBOTT,  Ebenezer  T.,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Betsey,  who  was  b.  1808  ; 
m.  1835,  Ruth  Hewes;  lives  in  North  Reading;  is  a  citizen  of 
high  respectability ;  has  done  much  to  promote  the  prosperity  of 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


43 


that  portion  of  old  Reading,  and  is  a  pillar  in  the  Baptist  Church 
there.  Has  had  chil. :  Granville  S.,  b.  1837  ;  Hortense  S.,  b. 
1840,  and  Grafton  T.,  b.  1849. 


EBENEZER     T.    ABBOTT. 


ABBOTT,  Granville  S.,  son  of  Ebenezer  T.  and  Ruth,  b.  Feb.  27,  1837  ; 
m.  1863,  Susan  H.  Davis,  and  has  had  chil. :  Granville  D.,  b. 
1866,  and  Chas.  H.,  b.  1867.  (See  List  of  Graduates,  etc., 
Chap.  XL) 

ANGIER,  Mary,  probably  dau.  of  Edmund,  of  Cambridge,  and  sister  of 
Rev.  Jona.  Pierpont's  wife,  b.  1663  ;  m.  1700,  John  March,  of 
Newbury. 

ANOUGH.  Philip,  son  (illegitimate)  of  Philip  Anough  and  Hannah  New- 
man, b.  1725. 

ARNOLD,  William,  his  wife  was  Elizabeth;  she  d.  1795.  Chil.:  Re- 
becca, b.  1681,  and  m.  1701,  Wm.  Bryant;  William,  b.  1684; 
Thomas,  b.  1687  ;  Mary,  b.  1689  ;  Joseph,  b.  1692. 

BANCROFT,  Tho.  (Lieut),  b.  in  England  in  1622,  son  of  John  and  Jane ; 
purchased  land  in  Lynn  (now  Lynnfield),  and  built  a  house  near 
Beaver  Dam.  He  also  bought  land  in  the  westerly  part  of  Read- 
ing, and  is  spoken  of  as  residing  in  Reading  at  the  time  of  his 
second  marriage  in  1648.  He  probably  lived  chiefly  at  Lynn 
(now  Lynnfield).  He  m.,  ist,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Michael  Bacon, 
of  Dedham;  m.,  2d,  1648,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Michael  and  Sarah 


44  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Metcalf  ;  he  d.  1691,  aged  69.  Chil.  :  Thomas,  b.  1649  ;  Eliza- 
beth, b.  1653,  and  m.  Joseph  Browne  ;  John,  b.  1656  ;  Sarah,  b. 
1660,  and  d.  1661  ;  Raham,  b.  1662,  and  d.  1683  ;  Sarah,  b. 
1665,  and  m.  John  Woodward;  Ebenezer,  b.  1667;  Mary,  b. 
1670,  and  was  unm.  in  1691. 

BANCROFT,  Dea.  Thomas,  son  of  Lt.  Tho.  and  Elizabeth  (Metcalfe), 
b.  1649  ;  m.  1673,  Sarah,  dau.  of  Jona.  and  Judith  Poole  ;  was 
an  officer  in  King  Philip's  Indian  War,  and  a  selectman  several 
years.  .  He  lived  in  the  westerly  part  of  Reading,  where  was 
the  ancient  Bancroft  homestead.  He  built  the  fourth  house  in 
West  Parish  near  the  Abr'm  Temple  place.  Chil. :  Thomas,  b. 
1673;  Jonathan,  b.  and  d.  1675;  Sarah,  b.  1676,  and  m.  Abrm 

Bryant;  Mehitabel,  b.  1678,  and  m. Parker;  Jonathan,  b. 

1681,  and  m.  Sarah ,  and  d.  1702  ;  Rahum,  b.  1684  ;  Judith 

b.  1688,  and  rn. Parker;  Samuel,  b.  1691,  and  d.   1692  ; 

Samuel,  b.  1693;  Elizabeth,  b.  1696,  and  m.  1713,  John 
Lampson. 

BANCROFT,  Dea.  John,  son  of  Lt.  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Metcalfe), 
b.  1656  ;  m.,  ist,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  John  and  Elizh  (Kendall) 

Eaton.     She  d.  1704,  aged  42.     He  m.,  2d,  Hannah .     He 

resided  in  Lynn  (now  Lynnfield),  where  he  was  deacon,  and 
has  many  descendants. 

BANCROFT,  Capt.  Ebenezer,  son  of  Lieut.  Thomas  and  Elizabeth,  b. 

1667  ;  m.  Abigail ;  inherited  the  homestead  of  his  father  ; 

sold  out  and  removed  to  Lynnfielc1.     He  d.  1717,  aged  50. 

BANCROFT,  Capt.  Thomas,  son  of  Dea.  .Thomas  and  Sarah  (Poole),  b. 
1673  ;  m.  Mary  Webster.  Chil.  :  Thomas,  b.  1696 ;  Joseph,  b. 
1698  ;  Benja.,  b.  1701  ;  Jona.,  b.  1703  ;  Edmund,  b.  1709.  He 
d.  1731,  aged  58.  He  was  selectman  and  representative. 

BANCROFT,  Dea.  Raham,  son  of  Dea.  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Poole),  b. 
1684  ;  m.,  ist,  1706,  Abigail,  dau.  of  Jonas  and  Hannah  (Mason) 
Eaton.  She  d.  1728,  aged  40;  m.,  2d,  1730,  Ruth,  dau.  of 
Samuel  and  Mary  Kendall.  She  d.  1758,  aged  56.  He  d.  1758, 
aged  74.  Rev.  Mr.  Hobby,  in  recording  his  death,  says  of  him, 
"That  good  man,  my  friend,  Dea.  Bancroft."  Chil.  :  Joshua,  b. 
1712,  and  m.,  ist,  Mary  Lampson,  and  2d,  Wid.  Eaton  ;  Abigail, 
bap.  1715  ;  David,  b.  1718,  removed  to  Worcester;  James,  b. 
1729,  and  d.  young;  Ruth,  b.  1731,  and  m.  Ephm.  Parker,  and 
d.  1751 ;  Abigail,  b.  1733,  and  d.  1750 ;  Judith,  b.  1735  ;  James, 
b.  1739;  m,,  ist,  1757,  Sarah  Pearson,  and  2d,  1786,  Sarah  Par- 
ker ;  was  captain,  justice  of  the  peace,  selectman,  and  repre- 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  45 

sentative,  and  d.  1831,  aged  92.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Rev- 
olution, and  for  46  years  a  deacon  of  the  3d  Church.  An  able, 
honest,  and  faithful  man.  He  was  grandfather  of  the  late  Hon. 
Tho.  Emerson,  of  Wakefield.  (See  Appendix  J.) 
BANCROFT,  Samuel,  Capt,  son  of  Dea.  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Poole),  b. 
1693  ;  m.,  ist,  1713,  Sarah,  dau.  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Nichols) 
Lampson.  She  d.  1733,  aged  43.  M.,  ad,  1733,  Sarah  Leathe, 
and  m.,  3d,  Mehitabel  Fitch.  He  was  captain,  selectman,  and 
representative,  and  d.  1772,  aged  79.  Chil.  :  Samuel,  b.  1715  ; 
Wm.,b.  1717;  Edmd.,  b.  1718,  and  d.  1740;  Nathaniel,  b.  1720; 
Sarah,  b.  1722  ;  Jacob,  b.  1723  ;  Jeremiah,  b.  1725  ;  Caleb,  b. 


BANCROFT,  Samuel,  Jr.,  Esq.,  son  of  Capt.  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Lam- 
son),  b.  1715  ;  m.  1735,  Lydia,  dau.  of  Nathan'l  and  Elizabeth 
Parker.  He  was  deacon,  justice  of  the  peace,  selectman,  and 
representative  ;  d.  1782,  aged  67  ;  she  d.  1813,  aged  98.  Chil.  : 
Samuel,  b.  1736  ;  m.  Sarah  Holt,  and  became  a  judge  in  Nova 
Scotia  ;  Lydia,  b.  1738  ;  m.  1761,  Z.  Johnson,  of  Andover  ;  Sa- 
rah, b.  1740,  m.  Daniel  How,  of  Andover,  in  1764;  Mary,  b. 
1742,  and  m.  1765,  Rev.  Francis  Lovejoy  ;  settled  in  Maine  or 
New  Hampshire,  and  was  ancestress  of  the  martyr  Lovejoy  ; 
Mehitabel,  b.  1744,01.  1767,  John  Nichols  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1746  ; 
m.  1769,  Nath'l  Cheever  ;  Anne,  b.  1749  ;  Edmund,  b.  1751;  m. 
1770,  Sarah  Pool  ;  Caleb,  b.  1753  ;  m.  1776,  Susan  Tay  ;  Aaron, 
b.  1755  ;  m.  Lucetta  Chandler,  and  was  Rev.  Dr.  Bancroft,  of 
Worcester,  and  father  of  Hon.  George  Bancroft,  the  historian  of 
the  United  States  ;  Lucy,  b.  1758,  and  m.  1780,  Dr.  Joseph  Gray. 

BARRETT,  James,  by  wife  Ann  had  Dorcas,  b.  1695. 

BARRETT,  Jonathan,  by  wife  Abigail  had  James,  b.  1703. 

BARRETT,  Hannah,  m.  1703,  James  Bennett,  of  Groton. 

BATCHELDER,  John,  an  early  settler  ;  the  exact  place  where  he  first 
located  is  not  known.  His  descendants  early  removed  to  the 
northerly  part  of  West  Parish  (now  Reading),  where  they  are 
still  to  be  found.  He  was  here  as  early  as  1651.  His  wife's 
name  was  Rebecca;  she  d.  1662  ;  he  d.  1676  ;  was  selectman 
several  years.  Chil.  :  John,  David  (record  of  their  births  not 
found)  ;  Mary,  b.  1635,  an<^  m-  1660,  Nathaniel  Cowdrey,  and 
d.  1729  ;  and  two  sons  who  d.  in  infancy. 

BATCHELDER,  John,  son  of  John  and  Rebecca  ;  m.,  ist,  1662,  Sarah  ; 
she  d  1685  ;  m.,  2d,  1687,  Hannah  ;  she  d.  1693  >  m-»  3^>  l(>94, 
Hannah.  He  d.  1705  ;  his  wid.  d.  1722  ;  he  was  a  select- 


46 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


man.     Chil. :    Rebecca,  b.   1663,  and  m.   David  Hartshorne  ; 

John,  b.  1666  ;  Henry,  b.  1668,  and  d.  1688  ;  Sarah,  b.  1670,. 

and  m.  1691,  John  Pratt ;  Samuel,  b.  1671  ;  Nathaniel,  b.  1674  ; 

Mary,  b.  1688. 

BATCHELDER,  David,    son  of  John  and  Rebecca ;   m.    1679,  Hannah 
•          Plummer.     Chil. :   Samuel,  b.  1680  ;  Mary,  b.  1683  ;  Hannah, 

b.  1685  ;  David,  b.  1687  ;  Jonathan,  b.  1689. 
BATCHELDER,  John,  son  of  John  and  Sarah,  b.   1666 ;  m.  1696,  Sarah 

Poore.     Chil. :    Sarah,  b.  1697  ;   Rebecca,  b.  1700  ;   Mary,  b. 

1703  ;  Samuel,  b.  1707  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1710. 
BATCHELDER,  Samuel,  son  of  John  and  Sarah,  b.  1671  ;  m.,  ist,  1694, 

Mary ;  she  d.  1701;  m.,  2d,  Elizabeth,  wid.  of  Joseph  Sweet- 

ser,  of  Charlestown,  and  dau.  of  Tho.  and  Mary  White,  and  b. 

1671.     He  d.  1704  or  5,  and  his  wid.  m.  John  Pearson.     Chil. : 

Samuel,  b.  1695,  who  probably  d.  young  ;  William,  b.  1697,  and 

was    a    non  compos  mentis;    Mary,  b.   1698;  Henry,  b.   1700; 

Elizabeth,  b.  1703. 
BATCHELDER,  Nathaniel,  son  of  John  and  Sarah;  b.  1674;  m.    1703, 

Hannah  Ellsley,  and  d.  1763,  aged  89.     He  had  settled  in  W 

Parish,  near   Herrick  Batchelder  place.     Chil. :    Jonathan,  b. 


CAPT.    GEORGE     BATCHELDER. 


1705;  m.  1728,  Sarah .  Lewis,  and  d.  1754;  Hannah,  b.  1709; 
m.  i73o,*Samuel  Dix  ;  Nathaniel,  b.  1714;  m.  Abigail  Flint,  and 
was  grandfather  of  the  late  John  B.,  Esq.,  of  late  Capt.  Geo.  B., 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


47 


etc.,  of  Reading,  and  the  great-grandfather  of  the  present  David 
B.,  of  Wakefield,  and  David,  b.  1716  ;  Sarah,  b.  1719. 

NOTE.  —  The  name  is  doubtless  the  same  that,  in  some  families  and  places,  is 
spelled  "  Bacheller." 

BELKNAP,  Abraham,  probably  son  of  Abraham  of  Lynn  and  Salem, 
by  wife  Elizabeth  had  chil.  :  Samuel,  b.  1694,  and  d.  1695  ; 
Abraham,  b.  1695. 

BELLFLOWER,  Henry,  by  wife  Ann  had  chil. :  Hannah,  b.  1656  (who 
m.  1678,  John  Cutler)  ;  Deliverance,  b.  1662  ;  Mary,  b.  1668. 
His  wife  d.  1682,  and  he  d.  1703. 

BELLFLOWER,  Benja.,  m.  1659,  Abigail ;  d.  1661  or  '70,  at  Salem.  He 
was  a  Quaker,  who,  after  sentence  of  banishment  for  his  opinion, 
renounced  it. 

BENNETT,  James,  probably  son  of  James  of  Groton,  by  wife  Eliza- 
beth had  chil.:  Sarah,  b.  1745;  Wm.,  b.  1754;  Elizabeth,  b. 
1761. 

BORMAN,  Richard,  by  wife  Ann  had  chil.  :  Ann,  b.  1702  ;  Jane,  b. 
1704. 

BOUTWELL,  James,  son  of  James  and  Alice,  of  Lynn;  b.  1642  ;  m. 
1665,  Rebecca,  dau.  of  Dea.  Thomas  and  Rebecca  Kendall  ; 
she  d.  1713,  aged  69,  and  he  d.  1716,  aged  74.  He  was  called 
Sergt.  Boutwell.  Chil.  :  James,  b.  1666  ;  Thomas,  b.  1669  ;  John, 
b.  1671 ;  Rebecca,  b.  1674,  and  m.  Thomas  Poole  ;  Sarah,  b. 
1677,  and  m.  1698,  John  Townsend,  of  Lynn  ;  Tabitha,  b.  and 
d.  1679  ;  Tabitha,  b.  1680,  and  m.  1701,  Wm.  Cowdrey ;  Ken- 
dall, b.  1682,  and  m.  Lucy  Damon  ;  Mary,  b.  1685,  and  m.  Eben- 
ezer  Emerson;  Elizabeth,  b.  1687,  and  m.  Benja.  Hartshorne. 

NOTE.  —  The  ancient  homestead  of  the  Boutwell  family  was  the  place  now  occu- 
pied by  Dana  Parker,  in  Reading. 

BOUTWELL,  John,  son  of  James  and  Alice  of  Lynn,  b.  1645  >  m-  1669, 
Hannah,  dau.  of  Geo.  Davis,  and  d.  1719,  aged  74.  Chil.: 
John,  b.  1670;  Hannah,  b.  1672;  Sarah,  b.  1674;  James,  b. 
1677  ;  Mary,  b.  1680,  and  m.  1700,  Jona.  Thompson  ;  Elizabeth, 
b.  1683,  and  m.  1707,  Joseph  Sibley;  Sarah,  b.  1686,  and  m. 
1706,  Samuel  Lewis;  Susanna,  b.  1689,  and  m.  1712,  Timothy 
Manning ;  Thomas,  b.  and  d.  1692. 

BOUTWELL,  James,  Jr.,  son  of  Sergt.  James  and  Rebecca  (Kendall), 
b.  1666;  m.  1690,  Elizabeth  Frothingham,  of  Charlestown,  who 
afterwards  m.  Lt.  Benj.  Swain.  James,  Jr.,  d.  1744,  aged  47. 


48  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Chil.  :  Elizabeth,  b.    1693  ;    Ruth,    b.    1697  ;  James,  b.    1699  ; 
Samuel,  b.  1703  ;  Hannah,  b.  1709. 

BOUTWELL,  Dea,  Thomas,  son  of  Sergt.  James  and  Rebecca  (Kendall), 
b.  1669  ;  by  wife  Abigail  had  chil.  :  three  sons,  who  d.  in  in 
fancy  ;  Abigail,  b.  1696  ;  Mary,  b.  1698  ;  Martha,  b.  1700  ;  Dea. 
Thomas,  d.  1737,  aged  68.  He  lived  on  the  place  now  owned 
by  Mrs.  James  Emerson.  His  grandfather,  Dea.  Tho.  Kendall, 
leaving  no  sons,  made  Dea.  Bout.well  his  heir  and  successor  ; 
and  he  in  his  turn  leaving  no  sons,  made  his  grandson,  James 
Emerson,  the  grandfather  of  the  late  James  Emerson,  the  hus* 
band  of  the  present  occupant,  his  heir  and  successor. 

BOUTWELL,  John,  son  of  Sargt  James  and  Rebecca  (Kendall),  b.  1671  ; 
m.  1695,  Gt3.ce,  dau.  of  John  and  Dorcas  Eaton.  Settled  in 
West  Parish  near  the  Amos  Parker  place.  Chil.  :  Rebecca,  b. 
1697  and  d.  1703;  Dorcas,  b.  1698  ;  Tabitha,  b.  1700;  John, 
b.  1702. 

BOUTWELL,  John,  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Davis),  b.  1670;  m.  Sarah 
-  ;  was  a  soldier  in  the  Narragansett  war.  Chil.  :  b.  1693  ; 
John,  b.  1695  ;  Tho.,  b.  and  d.  1697  ;  Thomas,  b.  1699  ;  Sarah, 
b.  1702  ;  Jacob,  b.  1705  ;  Jona.,  b.  1709  ;  m.  1733,  Elizabeth 
Foster  ;  removed  to  Wilmington,  and  was  the  ancestor  of 
Hon.  Geo.  S.  Boutwell,  of  Groton,  representative  in  congress, 
ex-governor,  secretary  of  the  U.  S.  treasury,  etc.  ;  Bethiah,  b. 


BOUTWELL,  James,  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Davis1),  b.  1677  ;  m.  Ab- 
igail, dau.  of  Dr.  James  Stimpson.  Chil.:  Ebenezer,  b.  1700; 
m.  Thankful  -  ,  and  removed  to  Framingham  ;  James,  b. 
1709  ;  m.  1744,  Rachel  Walkup,  and  removed  to  Framingham. 

BOUTWELL,  James,  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Frothingham),  b.  1699  ; 
m.  1721,  Judith  Poole,  of  Lynn;  removed  to  Sudbury  and 
Leominster  ;  had  a  large  family  of  children,  and  d.  in  Leominster 
in  1745. 

BOUTWELL,  John,  son  of  John  and  Grace  (Eaton),  or  of  John  and 
Sarah  ;  b.  1702  or  1695  >  m->  Ist>  Elizabeth  Parker;  had  a  2d 
wife.  Chil.  :  all  by  ist  wife  ;  Betty,  b.  1724  and  d.  1809  ; 
Elizabeth,  b.  1726  and  d.  1814;  Hannah,  b.  1728  and  d.  1812, 
single;  Kendall,  b.  1736  ;  removed  to  Amherst,  N.  H.,  and  d. 
1820  ;  John,  b.  1739,  and  m.  Ruth  Bryant,  and  d.  1825  ;  Rebecca, 
b.  1742,  and  m.  1768,  Jereh  Bryant,  and  d.  -  ;  James,  b. 
1745,  and  m.  1770,  Tabitha  Bryant,  and  d.,  and  four  other 
children  who  died  in  infancy. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


49 


BROCK,  Rev.  John,  b.  in  Stradbrook,  England,  in  1620 ;  came  over 
in  1637;  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1646;  preached  first  in 
Rowley  ;  afterwards  at  the  Isle  of  Shoals,  and  settled  in  Read- 
ing in  1662,  as  successor  of  Rev.  Samuel  Haugh,  whose  widow 
he  married.  (She  was  Sarah,  dau.  of  Rev.  Zachariah  Symms  of 
Charlestown.)  She  d.  in  1681,  and  he  d.  in  1688,  aged  68.  Mr. 
Brock  is  represented  as  an  eminently  pious  man.  Mitchell,  of 
Cambridge,  said  of  him :  "  He  dwells  as  near  heaven  as  any 
man  upon  earth."  Rev.  Mr.  Allin,  of  Dedham,  said  of  him :  "  I 
scarce  ever  knew  a  man  so  familiar  with  the  great  God  as  his 
dear  servant,  Brock."  There  were  several  very  remarkable  co- 
incidences between  Mr.  Brock's  prayers  and  providential  occur- 
rences afterwards.  While  at  the  Isle  of  Shoals,  a  man,  whose 
principal  property  was  his  fishing  boat,  and  who  had  been  very 
serviceable  in  conveying  to  the  place  of  meeting  the  inhabitants 
of  other  islands,  lost  his  boat  in  a  storm.  He  lamented  his  loss 
to  Mr.  Brock,  who  said  to  him,  "  Go  home,  honest  man,  I  '11 
mention  the  matter  to  the  Lord ;  you  '11  have  your  boat  to-mor- 
row." Mr.  Brock  made  the  matter  the  subject  of  special  prayer. 
The  next  day  the  anchor  of  a  vessel  fastened  upon  the  boat  and 
drew  it  up.  The  people  at  the  Isle  were  persuaded  by  Mr. 
Brock  to  observe  one  day  in  each  month  as  an  extra  season  for 
religious  exercises.  On  one  occasion  the  roughness  of  the 
weather  had  for  several  days  prevented  fishing.  On  the  day  of 
meeting  the  weather  was  fine  and  the  men  wanted  the  meeting 
put  by.  Mr.  Brock,  perceiving  they  were  determined  not  to 
attend,  said  to  them,  "  Catch  fish  if  you  can ;  but  as  for  you 
that  will  tarry  and  worship  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  this  day,  I 
will  pray  unto  him  for  you,  that  you  may  take  fish  till  you  are 
weary."  Thirty  men  went  away  and  five  tarried.  The  thirty 
caught  four  fishes.  The  five  who  tarried  went  out  afterwards 
and  took  about  five  hundred. 

Mr.  Brock  was  probably  the  son  of  Henry  Brock,  of  Dedham. 
"  He  was  dismissed  from  the  Dedham  church,"  says  his  own 
memorandum  upon  the  Reading  church  record,  "and  joined  to 
the  Reading  church  on  the  Lord's  day  before  the  ordination, 
and  Nov.  13,  1662,  he  was  ordained,  and  the  day  after  he  was 
married  to  Mrs.  Mary  Haugh,  a  widow,  indeed."  He  had  no 
children. 

BROWNE,  Nicholas,  son   of  Edward  Browne,    of    Inkburrow,  Worces- 
tershire, England  ;  settled  first  at  Lynn,  removed  early  to  Read- 
7 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

ing ;  appears  to  have  owned  the  place  now  owned  by  Edward 
Upton's  heirs,  and  also  the  place  on  side  the  pond,  now  owned 
by  Lucius  Beebe. 

His  wife's  name  was  Elizabeth.     He  d.  1673.     His  children 

were:    John,  b.   about    1634;    Edward,  b.   1640;   Joseph,   b. 

1647,  an  early  settler  of  the  West  Parish,  and  lived  near  the 

Thad.  B.  Pratt  place  ;  Sarah,  b.  1650  ;  Cornelius,  b. ;  Jo- 

siah,  b. ;  and  perhaps  Elizabeth,  who  m.  1663,  Hananiah 

Parker. 


In  1660,  'Mr.  Browne  sent  his  son  John  to  England  to  look  after 
certain  property  to  which  he  had  become  heir,  and  furnished  his  son 
with  a  power  of  attorney,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy  :  — 

"  Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  Nicholas  Browne,  of  Redding,  in  the 
County  of  Middlesex,  in  the  Massachusetts  Colonie  of  New  England,  sonne  of  Jane, 
the  daughter  of  Thomas  Lide,  which  said  Jane  was  the  wife  of  Edward  Browne, 
father  of  the  said  Nicholas,  who  lived  and  died  in  the  parish  of  Inkburrow,  in  the 
County  of  Woster,  in  the  realme  of  England  ;  the  said  Nicholas  Browne,  on  the  fifth 
day  of  October,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  sixty,  stile  of 
England,  appeared  before  me,  Robert  Howard,  dwelling  in  Boston  in  the  Colonie 
aforesaid,  Notary  and  Tubellion  public  by  authority  of  the  General  Court  of  the  said 
Colonie,  admitted  and  sworne,  and  in  presence  of  the  witnesses  hereafter  named,  the 
said  Nicholas  Browne  declared  and  manifested  that  of  his  own  accord  he  hath  nom- 
inated, assigned,  made,  ordayned,  constituted  and  appointed,  and  in  his  place  and 
stead,  by  these  presents,  doth  nominate,  assign,  make,  ordayne,  constitute  and  ap- 
point his  eldest  sonne,  John  Browne,  now  bound  for  England,  his  true  and  lawful 
attorney,  for  him  the  said  Nicholas  Browne,  his  father,  in  his  name  and  stead  and  to 
his  use,  to  call  William  Rand  of  Inkborough  aforesaid  to  accompt  what  of  shops, 
houses  and  lands,  that  by  discovery  are  found  to  be  appertayning  and  belonging  unto 
him  the  said  Nicholas  Browne  as  next  heir  unto  the  Lides,  which  the  said  Rand  by 
former  power  unto  him  granted  from  the  said  Nicholas  Browne  hath  recovered. 
Also,  what  monies  he  hath  received  for  rents  or  arrearages  of  rent,  profits  and  sheep 
rents,  heretofore  and  of  late  due,  arising,  growing  and  properly  belonging  unto  the 
heires  of  the  said  Lides.  And  the  said  houses,  land,  tenements,  hereditaments  and 
appurtenances  whatsoever,  by  him  the  said  Rand  recovered  as  aforesaid,  to  enter  into, 
and  in  the  name  of  him,  the  said  Nicholas  Browne,  to  give  possession  to  such  tenant 
or  tenants  as  he  the  said  John  Browne  likes  of,  that  will  hier  the  same,  by  lease  or 
yearly  rent.  Also  to  demand  all  such  monies  as  aforesaid,  received  by  the  said  Rand, 
allowing  and  paying  unto  him  the  said  Rand  the  one  half  of  the  true  vallue  of  the 
said  houses  and  lands  so  recovered  and  the  half  of  the  said  monies  for  the  said  Rand's 
cost,  charges  and  paynes  he  hath  bin  at  thereabout. 

And  as  concerning  the  premises  to  doe  any  such  act  or  acts  as  aforesaid,  as  if  he, 
the  said  constitutor,  were  personally  present.  Ratifying,  allowing  and  holding  for- 
ever firm  and  stable  all  and  whatsoever  his  said  sonne,  as  his  attorney  shall  lawfully 
dee  or  cause  to  be  done  by  vertue  hereo£ 


OF  THE   TOWJf  OF  READING.  ^ 

In  witness  whereof  the  said  Nicholas  Browne  hath  hereunto  put  his  hand  and  seall 
the  said  fifth  day  of  October,  in  the  year  1660. 

NICHOLAS  BROWNE.  (L.  s.) 
Signed  &c.  in 
presence  of 
ROBT.  HOWARD  Not  Pub, 

This  Deed  acknowledged  by  the 
said  Nicholas  Browne,  Oct  6,  1660. 
Before  me,  Ri.  BELLINGHAM,  Depy.  Gov." 

BROWNE,  John  ("  of  the  hill "),  probably  lived  on  "  Cowdrey's  Hill," 
near  where  John  A.  Tyler  now  lives,  and  probably  gave  name  to 
the  small  pond  in  front  of  Mr.  Tyler's,  long  called  "  Brown's 
Pond."  Whether  he  was  related  to  Nicholas  aforesaid  doth  not 
appear.  He  m.,  ist,  1659,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  John  Osgood,  of 
Andover.  Chil. :  Elizabeth,  b.  1660,  and  d.  early ;  Elizabeth, 
b.  1661,  and  m.  1684,  Benja.  Hartshorne  ;  Hannah,  b.  1664, 
and  d.  1667  ;  Sarah,  b.  and  d.  1668  ;  Mary,  b.  1771,  and  d. 

1773  ;  his  wife  d.  1673,  an<^  ^e  m->  2<^>  1681,  Sarah ,  and 

by  2d  wife  had  chil. :  John,  b.  1682  ;  Mary,  b.  1685  ;  Nathaniel, 
b.  1688  ;  Stephen,  b.  1693. 

BROWNE,  Sarah,  perhaps  sister  of  John  above  named  ;  m.  1662,  Robert 
Burnap. 

BROWNE,  Elizabeth,  perhaps  another  sister  of  the  same ;  m.  1663, 
Hananiah  Parker.  (Savage  says  she  was  dau.  of  Jona.  Browne.) 

BROWNE,  John,  Esq.,  son  of  Nicholas  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1634;  lived 
on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Dr.  Francis  P.  Hurd ;  m.,  ist., 
Ann,  dau.  of  Rev.  John  Fiske,  of  Wenham  and  Chelmsford  ;  she 
d.  1681,  aged  36  ;  m.,  2d,  1682,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Rev.  Edward 
Buckley,  of  Concord,  and  wid.  of  Rev.  Joseph  Emerson,  of 
Mendon.  She  d.  1693,  aged  55  ;  m.,  3d,  Rebecca,  wid.  of 
Samuel  Sprague,  of  Maiden,  and  she  d.  1710,  aged  76.  He  d. 
1717,  aged  83.  Chil.,  both  by  ist  wife  :  Anna,  b.  1678,  and  m. 
1696,  to  Peter  Emerson  ;  Sarah,  b.  1679,  and  d.  1680.  He 
was  captain,  justice  of  the  peace,  selectman,  and  representative. 

"  Witty,  yet  wise,  grave,  good,  among  the  best 
Was  he,  —  the  memory  of  the  just  is  blest," 

Says  his  tombstone. 

BROWNE,  Cornelius,  son  of  Nicholas,  and  brother  of  the  last  named  ; 
m.  1665,  Sarah  Lamson.  She  d.  1683.  Chil. :  Nicholas,  b.  and 
d.  1666  ;  Cornelius,  b.  1667  ;  Sarah,  b.  1669 ;  Sarah,  b.  1670 ; 


52  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

John,  b.  1671;  Hannah,  b.  and  d.   1673;  Abigail,  b.   and  d. 

1674;   Samuel,  b.    1675;   Susanna,  b.    1677;   Mary,  b.  1679; 

Hannah,  b.  1680;  Wm.,  b.  1682. 
BROWNE,  Josiah,  son  of  Nicholas,  and  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  m. 

1667,  Mary  Fellows,  and  d.  1691.    Chil.  :  John,  b.  1668  ;  Josiah, 

b.  1670  ;  Mary,  b.  1673  ;  Josiah,  b.  1675,  an^  m<  I7°°>  Susanna 

Goodwin  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1678  ;  Ebenezer,  b.    1682  ;  Jonathan, 

b.  1684  ;  Phebe,  b.  1688. 
BROWNE,  Joseph,  son  of  Nicholas,  and   brother  of  the  last  named  ;  b. 

1647,  andm.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Tho.  Bancroft.   Chil. :  Elizabeth, 

1671,  and  d.  1674  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1676  ;  Nicholas,  b.  1677,  and  m. 

1700,  Rebecca  Nichols  ;  d.  1713  ;  Joseph,  b.  1679,  and  d.  1723  ; 

Thomas,  b.  1682  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1684 ;  Eben*.,  b.  and  d.  1688  ; 

Hepzibeth,  b.  1693. 
BROWNE,  Edward,    probably  son   of    Nicholas ;    b.   1640 ;  m.    1679, 

Sarah  Dix,  and  d.  1685.     Chil. :  Edward,  b.   1680  ;  Stephen,  b. 

1682  ;  Stephen,  b.  and  d.  1685. 

NOTE.  —  Gen.  Benja.  Browne,  of  Revolutionary  fame,  who  d.  in  1801,  was  the  son 
of  Dea.  Benja.,  who  was  the  son  of  Nicholas,  who  was  the  son  of  Joseph,  who  was 
the  son  of  Nicholas,  Sen*1.  Wm.  Locke  Brown,  Esq.,  who  d.  in  1862,  was  also  a  de- 
scendant of  Nicholas,  Senr,  through  Cornelius,  Samuel,  etc.  The  late  John  Brown, 
2d,  was  son  of  Pearson  Brown,  who  was  son  of  Jacob,  who  was  son  of  Nathaniel  (and 
Eleanor  Stearns),  who  was  son  of  Josiah  (and  Susan  Goodwin),  who  was  son  of 
Josiah  (and  Mary  Fellows),  who  was  son  of  Nicholas,  Sen'. 

BROWN,  Rev.  Richard,  was  the  fifth  minister  of  Reading ;  came  from 
Newbury;  was  the  only  son  of  Richard  and  Mary  (Jaques), 
and  grandson  of  Richard  and  Elizabeth  (Badger) ;  his  grand- 
father was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Newbury.  Richard 
(the  third)  was  b.  1675  >  m-  I7°3>  Martha  Whipple,  dau.  of  John 
Whipple,  of  Ipswich  ;  grad.  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1697;  ordained  pas- 
tor of  the  church  in  Reading  in  1712,  and  d.  1732,  aged  57. 
Chil. :  Martha,  b.  1704  ;  John,  b.  1706  ;  Wm.,  b.  1708  ;  Mary, 
b.  1709  ;  Katharine,  b.  1712,  and  m.  1732,  Joseph  Gerrish,  of 
Newbury;  Richard,  b.  1716  ;  Sarah,  b.  1718  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1720. 
After  his  decease  his  widow  and  children  returned  to  Newbury. 
Mr.  Brown,  before  his  settlement  at  Reading,  was  Town  Clerk 
five  years,  and  Schoolmaster  eleven  years,  at  Newbury.  Upon 
resigning  his  office  of  Town  Clerk,  when  about  to  remove  to 
Reading,  he  wrote  upon  the  fly-leaf  of  the  town  book  as  follows : 

"  I  have  served  Newbury  as  schoolmaster  eleven  years  and  as  town  clerk  five  years 
and  a  half,  and  have  been  repaid  with  abuse,  contempt,  and  ingratitude.  I  have  sent 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


53 


nigh  as  many  to  College  as  all  the  masters  before  me  since  the  reverend  and  learned 
Parker.  Those,  that  I  have  bred,  think  themselves  better  than  their  master  (God 
make  them  better  still),  and  yet  they  may  remember  the  foundation  of  all  their  grow- 
ing greatness  was  laid  in  the  sweat  of  my  brows.  I  pray  that  poor  unacknowledging 
Newbury  may  get  them  that  may  serve  them  better  and  find  thanks  when  they  have 
done.  If,  to  find  a  house  for  the  school  when  the  town  had  none ;  if,  to  take  the 
scholars  to  my  own  fire  when  there  was  no  wood  at  school,  as  frequently  ;  if,  to  give 
records  to  the  poor,  and  record  their  births  and  deaths  gratis,  deserves  acknowledg- 
ment, then  it  is  my  due,  but  hard  to  come  by. 

"  Est  aligua  ingrato  meritam  exprobare  voluptas 
Hoc  fruar,  hoec  de  te  gaudia  sola  ferum." 

We  here  insert  some  extracts  from  a  journal,  kept  by  Mr.  Brown, 
verbatim  et  literatim  :  — 

"  I  Richard  Brown  was  born  in  Newbury  Sept  12,  Anno  1675  and  educated 
under  the  wing  of  my  parence,  especially  my  mother,  wh°  was  a  pious  and  prudent 
woman,  and  endeavored  to  instill  into  this  her  son  the  principals  of  Religion  and 
holiness  ;  yea  she  traveled  in  Birth  with  me  again  to  have  •+•  formed  in  me,  and  was 
upon  all  opportunities  discourcing  to  me  Life  and  Death,  sin  and  holiness,  Heaven 
and  hell,  to  raise  in  me  a  Love,  a  Licking  and  Longing  aft'  the  one,  and  a  hatred  and 
abhorance  of  the  othr ;  she  w8  unwearied  in  her  watchings,  instructions,  admonitions, 
warnings,  reproofs  &  exhortations,  that  she  might  bring  up  this  her  son  in  the  nurture 
and  admonition  of  the  Lord,  and  continued  she  to  train  me  up  betimes,  and  when  she 
had  causd  ,me  to  read  well  at  home,  she  sent  me  to  school  undr  an  ingenious  and 
learned  mast',  M*  Edward  Tompson,  undr  wm  I  profited  much  and  went  on  w^ 
delight  in  Gramer,  Sententiae  and  Cato.  But  then  I  w8  deprived  of  my  masf,  wo, 
being  calld  to  the  ministry,  Left  the  schoole  to  his  pupils  gr*  damage.  Aftr  came  Mr 
Shove,  to  w°>  I  went  yet  profited  Little  ;  then  came  anoth*1  w°  tarried  not  Ixmg ;  then 
came  Mr  John  Clark  of  Exeter,  a  worthy  man  undr  wm  I  studied  one  year,  by  whome  I 
was  sent  to,  tho  not  well  fitted  for,  the  Colledge ;  for  by  this  change  of  mast"  I  suffered 
gt  damage.  I  went  to  Colledge  1693  and  there  I  spent  4  years  under  the  care  &  in- 
spection of  that  worthy  man  M'  William  Brattle,  then  fellow ;  w>  being  in  the  heat 
of  youth  and  active,  I  spent  too  much  time  in  play  &  pastime,  w«  I  aftr  gty"  bewailed. 
When  those  4  years  wr  expired  July  Anno  1697  I  had  given  me  with  the  rest  of  my 
class  the  Degre  of  B :  B  of  Arts.  My  Parence  not  being  well  able  to  keep  me  longer 
at  Colledge,  I  was  forcd  much  against  my  will  to  leave  the  Coll  :  and  to  return  home, 
w«  w»  much  to  my  disadvantage  ;  for  being  at  home  I  wanted  books,  and  more,  money 
to  buy  them  ;  so  w*  forcd  to  Borrow  here  and  there  as  I  could.  By  this,  then  I  lost 
much  time  &  contracted  a  listlessness  to  study,  yet  read  ov*  all  the  vollums  of  Foxes 
Acts  and  Monuments,  w°  I  much  delighted  in,  and  know  much  of  espetially  the  two 
last  vollums,  w«  I  read  ov'  diverse  times,  where,  in  my  young  years,  I  showd  a  tendr 
heart,  y*  could  not  forbare  melting  into  tears,  whn  I  read  of  the  cruelty  showd  against 
the  Masters  and  Blessed  servants  of  Jesus  Christ.  Thus  continued  I,  sometimes 
Reading  History  and  sometimes  Divinity  for  two  years,  w«  being  near  expired,  tho 
much  against  my  mind,  yet  being  oVpowerd  w111  importunity,  I  was  prevaild  with  to 
preach  in  June  '99,  and  when  I  came  into  the  pulpit,  being  naturally  bashful!,  and 
seeing  a  great  throngue  and  crowde  of  people  before  me,  my  spirit  w8  overwhelmed 


54 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


and  ready  to  sink  ;  but  even  then,  when  I  was  quite  at  a  loss  as  to  myselfe,  yt  word  W 
the  Lord  spake  to  young  Jerrimy,  wn  God  ws  sending  him  on  an  Embassy  to  his  peo- 
ple Israeli,  'fear  not  their  faces  lest  I  confound  thee  before  them,'  w»  a  gt  support  to 
me  and  enabled  me  to  goe  to  the  close  of  those  dutys,  with  a  full  gale." 

"Feb.  21,  1700  —  I  was  called  to  Teach  the  Gramr  school  in  NewbT,  which  I  ac- 
cepted, and  went  on  wth  delight  to  train  up  youth  in  Learning  and  the  knowledge  and 
fear  of  God  and  teaching  them  to  reverence  yr  Superiors.  When  I  sit  in  my  School 
I  oft  think  of  Melancton's  word  to  Bucholizer  wth  delight : 

"  Quint  n  Solatin  Pies  Pedagoga  assidentibus  castis  Angelis,  sedere  in  coelu  incon- 
taminato  juniorem  qui  Deo  placent,  et  Docere  tenera,  ingenia,  ut  recte  agnoscant  et 
invocant  Deum  ut  deinde  organa  " 

"  I  continued  in  the  school  and  preached  sometimes  as  occasions  presented  for 
helping  one  and  another."  Being  called  upon  to  preach  on  a  certain  Fast  day  in 
place  of  Mr.  Tappan  the  Pastor  at  Newbury,  he  says,  in  his  Journal,  '  I  was  much 
concernd  for  the  work  of  that  day,  how  I  should  address  myselfe  to  the  people  W»  I 
consider^  the  abounding  of  sin  yt  provoked  God's  anger  against  us  &  highly  meritted 
or  deep  humiliation  ;  I  was  much  prest  for  plainness,  but  concluded  (not  wtaout  some 
pressure  on  my  spirit  for  it)  to  lay  open  in  peticular  y«  sins  yt  most  openly  abounded 
and  to  press  them  home.  And  Providence  bringing  and  directing  me  to  yt  word 
Hosea  6 — I — wron  I  discoursd  largely  and  plainly ;  wrupon  some  wr  highly  offended, 
as  taking  all  to  themselves  ;  and  no  doubt  but  they  had  reason  enough,  yet  I  intended 
not  them  in  perticular.  G*  vV  their  rage  against  me,  they  threatened  me  to  my  face, 
But  more  Behind  my  Back.  There  ws  but  one  family  thus  moved,  the  rest  wr  well 
satisfied  and  took  in  good  part  w'  I  then  deliverd  to  them.  But  the  head  of  that 
family  ws  so  far  transported  wth  rage  and  desire  of  Revenge,  yt,  meeting  me  one  night 
in  the  Dark,  we  being  both  on  horseback,  I  had  a  little  past  him,  he  '  subraissu  revo- 
cavi  voce,'  called  me  wth  a  low  voice,  as  tho  he  would  speak  with  me,  yet  wth  a  gt  deal 
of  emotion,  w°  I  at  first  percieved  not,  But  wn  I  drew  near  and  percieved  w*  spuring  he 
used  to  come  at  me  I  knew  not  w*  he  would  of  me,  But  I  was  presently  informed,  wn 
wtn  the  scurrilous  terme  of  Rogue  y'  he  gave  me  once  and  again,  I  percieved  a  hand 
up  to  strike  at  me,  we  he  did,  But  providence  so  orderd  it,  yt  I  ws  out  of  his  reach,  w° 
he  had  not  Eyes  to  see,  But  supposd  himselfe  as  near  as  his  passion.  But  I,  (thanks 
be  to  God)  turning  my  horse  left  him  to  himselfe,  in  the  midst  of  his  madness  to  vent 
it  by  himselfe  in  the  Dark,  without  ever  a  blow.  Aff,  they  threatned  that  they  would 
meet  me  sometime  in  the  Dark  and  kill  me  ;  his  son  sent  me  a  lettr,  and  in  it,  yt  he 
would  be  my  murderer,  with  many  scoffing  tanting  and  Railing  termes,  from  all  w° 
God  delivered  me. 

"  Oct.  1 703  —  I  am  at  this  day  &  have  been  for  many  days  und'  a  sad,  dreadful  and 
trembling  condition  —  ye  Comforter  yt  hath  relievd  me,  is  withdrawn  —  Life  seems 
gone  —  and  I,  tho'  living,  am  as  one  amongst  the  Dead.  I  cant  meditate  as  once  — 
I  find  a  dreadfull  backwardness  to  pray,  wn  I  would  lift  up  my  heart  to  God  my  soul 
seems  to  be  pressed  down  as  with  a  heavy  weight  —  Satan  besets  me  —  gains  ground 
upon  me  —  my  Lusts  overtake  me,  my  Darling  yet  loathed  sin  —  thus  aftr  a  sweet 
calm  comes  a  furious  storm,  yt  bruises  and  batt13  me  on  every  side — my  Lusts  fall  one 
way  the  world  another  way  and  my  own  wicked  heart  plays  the  trayt?  to  my  soul,  and 
all  to  pull  me  down  into  endless  pain.  O  God  eternal !  infinitely  gratious,  a  prayer 
hearing  God,  a  sin  parclonjng  God,  w°  art  a  present  help  in  times  of  trouble  &  distress 
—  do  not  forget  me,  turn  unto  me  in  Love  to  my  soul  &  turn  me  unto  thyselfe,  yt  I 
may  love,  fear  and  serve  thee  —  Pardon  my  iniquity  &  take  away  my  sin  —  undertake 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  RFADTNG. 


55 


for  me  —  let  thy  hand  be  underneath  to  uphold  —  O  Lord  revive  thy  work,  quicken 
thy  grace  in  me,  enlarge  my  soul  —  Let  thy  visitations  Refresh  me,  thy  grace 
strengthen  me,  thy  word  enlighten  me  and  thy  good  Spirit  guide  me  thro"  this  world's 
darkness  to  the  Light  of  Eternal  Glory,  Amen." 

Mr.  Brown  often  in  his  Journal  refers  to  his  contests  with  the  temp- 
tations of  Satan,  in  relation  to  the  lusts  of  the  eye,  laments  his  weak- 
ness in  resisting  them,  calls  them  his  besetting  sin,  but  records  his 
eventual  victory  over  them  through  divine  assistance. 

March  2,  1706,  he  records  in  his  Journal  the  birth  of  his  son  John, 
and  says : — 

"  The  Lord  love  him.  Thou  hast  given  him  to  me,  O  Lord,  and  I  have  given  him 
up  to  thee,  in  the  ordinance  (of  Baptism)  &  I  pray  that  thou  wouldst  take  him  into 
the  number  of  thy  Jewels,  into  covenant  with  thyselfe,  cleanes  him  with  the  blood  of 
Jesus  from  his  original  uncleanness,  and  keep  him  whilst  in  the  world  from  the  evil 
of  it  —  Let  him  grow  up  before  thee  and  encrease  with  all  the  encrease  of  God  till 
perfected  amongst  the  numb1  of  the  glorified  saints." 

"  Sept  17,  1711.  I  laid  down  ye  school  in  Newbury  in  order  to  go  to  Redding  to 
preach  ye  gospel  there,  at  y'  frequent  and  earnest  request  Nov.  7.  I  brought  my 
goods  from  Newbury  to  Ipswich  ;  Nov.  9,  from  Ipswich  to  Redding,  and  Nov.  15, 
moved  my  wife  and  family  to  Redding ;  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  make  me  prudent 
and  faithful  in  my  Stewardship  unto  death,  that  I  may  receive  a  crown  of  life  — 
diverse  persons  here  were  not  free  to  my  coming,  but  G.  so  overruld,  y*  since,  yJ  are 
some  of  my  best  frinds." 

"  Jume  25, 1712  —  I  was  ordained  Past'  of  this  Chh  &  reed  the  dreadfull  charge  from 
the  mouth  of  Mr.  Shepard  of  Lynn  and  ye  right  hand  of  fellowship  by  Mr.  Tappan  of 
Newbury  —  ye  other  Elders,  y*  laid  on  hands  w'  Mr.  Green  of  Salem  Village,  Mr. 
Fox  of  Woburn  and  Mr.  Parsons  of  Maulden." 

"  Here  I  have  mett  with  many  and  gt  trials,  I  found  yt  some  w°  exprest  much  re- 
spect &  forwardness  for  my  coming  did  not  really  desire  it ;  &  some  of  them  that 
showed  love  had  only  a  designe  (yrby)  to  cross  their  neighbours  &  gain  y'  wills  of  ym  ; 
&  my  gt**t  troubles  have  risen  fr.  such  persons.  I  have  mett  w*h  no  abuses  like  y"8  I 
received  fr.  yn».  I  have  found  it  a  vain  thing  to  trust  in  man,  he  is  fickle  and  subject 
to  change.  —  Ld,  let  my  soul  trust  in  y«  alone,  w°  art  the  same  yesfday  to  day  & 
forever.  —  I  have  some  comfort  mingled  w*  my  troubles  —  I  am  made  to  sing  of 
mercy  as  well  as  judgm*  —  I  hope  it  pleases  God  to  own  my  poor  lab"  here,  many 
are  added  to  the  Church  &  some  call  me  y*  spiritual  Father  —  O  yt  I  may  be  an  in- 
strument to  turn  many  to  righteousness  &  to  build  ym  up  in  faith  &  holiness." 

"  I  have  mett  w^  much  trouble  by  Mr  Allin  &  much  fr.  Lynn  End  —  Ld.  pardon 
me  &  keep  me  —  men  wait  &  watch  for  my  halting." 

"  Sept  12,  1719 —  I  am  this  day  44  years  old  &  have  reed  fr.  G.  more  y"  ^thou- 
sand mercies  for  which  I  have  made  but  poor  returns  —  Ld  pardon  me  &  make  me 
thankful :  I  do  humbly  renue  my  Love :  w*  G.  y8  day  &  give  myself  to  him,  my  whole 

selfe,  and  resolve  yt  by  his  grace  I  will  lab*  to  live  more  closely  v^  him." 

• 

BRYANT,  Abraham,  a  blacksmith,  lived  on  Elm  Street,  south  side,  west 
of  Joseph  Hartshorne's ;  m.,  ist,  1664,  Mary,  daughter  of  Dea. 


56  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

Tho.  Kendall.     Chil. :  Mary,  b.  1666,  and  m.  1684,  John  Weston  ; 

Rebecca,  b.  1668,  and  d.  1670;  Abraham,  b.  1671 ;  Thomas,  b. 

1674;   Anna,  b.  1676;  William,  b.   1678;   Kendall,  b.  1680; 

Abigail,  b.  1683,  and  d.  1694;  Tabitha,  b.  1685.     His  wife  d. 

1688.      He  m.,   2d,   Ruth,  widow  of  Samuel  Frothingham,  of 

Charlestown.     She  d.  1693. 
BRYANT,  Abraham,  son  of  Abraham  and  Mary,  b.  1671 ;  b    wife  Sarah 

had  chil. :  Mary,  b.  1695  >  Sarah,  b.  1698  ;  Abraham,  b.  1700; 

Jona.,  b.  1706,  and  d.  1708 ;  Jona.,  b.  1708 ;  Samuel,  b.  and  d. 

1710  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1712.     He  d.  1714,  aged  43. 
BRYANT,  Thomas,  son  of  Abraham  and  Mary,  b.  1674 ;  m.  1696,  Mary 

Fitch,  and  had  chil. :  Elizabeth,  b.  1697,  and  d.  1698  ;  Thomas, 

b.  1700  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1702  ;  Mary,  b.  1706 ;  John,  b.  1707. 

NOTE.  —  He  settled  in  No.  Parish,  near  the  Barnard  Place ;  was  Captain. 

BRYANT,  William,  Esq.,  son  of  A  raham  and  Mary,  b.  1678;  m.  1701, 
Rebecca,  dau.  of  Wm.  and  Elizabeth  Arnold.  Chil.  :  William, 
b.  1702  ;  Joseph,  b.  1704 ;  John,  b.  and  d.  1706  ;  John,  b.  1708  ; 
Timothy,  b.  1712;  Rebecca,  b.  1715;  Jona.,  b.  1717;  Samuel, 
b.  1720;  Catharine,  b.  1722  ;  Samuel,  b.  1726.  He  was  Cap- 
tain, Colonel,  Selectman,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  etc.  He  d.  1757, 
aged  79. 

BPYANT,  Kendall,  son  of  Abraham  and  Mary,  b.  1680;  m.  1704,  Eliza- 
beth, dau.  of  Maj.  Jeremiah  Swaine,  and  Mary  (Smith).  Chil. : 
Elizabeth,  b.  1705  ;  Kendall,  b.  1709  ;  Anna,  b.  1709  ;  Jere- 
miah, b.  1714;  Mary,  b.  1717;  James,  b.  1719;  Hepzibeth,  b. 
1722  ;  Abigail,  b.  1724. 

BRYANT,  William,  son  of  Wm.  (Esq.)  and  Rebecca,  b.  1702  ;  by  first 
wife  Anna  had  chil. :  Anna,  b.  1733  ;  William,  b.  1735  ;  and  by 
second  wife  Sarah,  had  John,  b.  1738;  Martha,  b.  1740;  Na- 
thaniel, b.  1743  ;  Mehitabel,  b.  1746  ;  Caleb,  b.  1752  ;  Tho.,  b. 
1756.  He  was  a  shovel-maker,  and  removed  to  Sudbury. 

BRYANT,  Jeremiah,  son  of  Kendall  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1714;  m.  1734, 
Ruth  Thompson,  of  Woburn,  and  had  chil.:  Ruth,  b.  1735; 
Phebe,  b.  1737  ;  Ruth,  b.  1740;  Jeremiah,  b.  1742  ;  Bridget,  b. 
1746;  Josiah,  b.  1748;  Ebenezer,  b.  1753;  Anna,  b.  1755; 
Elizabeth,  b.  1755. 

BURNAP,  Robert,  Senr.,  an  early  settler  in  the  easterly  part  of  the  town, 
died  in"i689  ;  his  wife  was  Ann,  who  d.  1681.  He  was  select- 
man 14  years.  Chil. :  Isaac,  who  m.  1658,  Hannah  Antrim,  of 
Salem,  and  owned  half  a  farm  in  Salem,  and  d.  1667  ;  Robert ; 


Of   THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


57 


Thomas  (probably,  possibly  brother  to  Rob't,  Sen.);  Ann  and 
Sarah. 

BURNAP,  Robert,  Jr.,  m.,  ist,  Ann  ,  who  d.   1661 ;  m.,  ad,  1662, 

Sarah  Broune,  and  she  d.  1695.  He  was  selectman  19  years, 
and  d.  1695.  Chil. :  Sarah,  b.  1653  ;  John,  b.  1655  ;  Rob't,  b. 
1657,  and  d.  1674;  Mary,  b.  1661 ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1664,  and  m. 
1683,  Jona.  Eaton;  Lydia,  b.  1667;  Samuel,  b  1675,  and  d. 
1676 ;  Benja.,  b.  1677  and  m.  1700,  Elizabeth  Newhall,  of  Mai- 
den; Mary,  b.  1681 ;  Dorcas,  b.  1679,  and  m.  1700,  Will.  Saw- 
yer; Joseph,  who  m.  1690,  Tabitha . 

BURNAP,  Thomas,  probably  a  brother  or  uncle  of  the  last  named ;  m. 
1663,  Mary  Person,  of  Lynn  ;  they  both  d.  1691.  He  is  called 
Mas.  Thomas  Burnap  upon  the  town  record,  on  account  either 
of  age,  wealth,  or  wisdom.  Chil.:  Thomas,  b.  1664;  Ebenezer, 
b.  1666,  and  d.  1690 ;  Mary,  b.  1668  ;  Bethiah,  b.  ^670,  and  d. 
1673  ;  Sarah,  b.  1672  ;  Ann,  b.  1674;  Bethiah,  b.  1677,  and  m. 
1696,  Tho.  Grover;  Esther,  b.  1681. 

BURNAP,  John,  son  of  Robert,  Jr.,  and  Ann,  b.  1655,  and  m.  1684,  Mary 
Rice.  Chil.  :  Dorcas,  b.  1685  ;  Mary,  b.  1687  ;  John,  b.  1689  ; 
Isaac,  b.  1694;  Abraham,  b.  1696;  Elizabeth,  b.  1691. 

BURNAP,  Thomas,  Jr.,  son  of  Mas.  Thomas  and  Mary.  b.  1664  ;  m. 
1688,  Sarah,  daughter,  probably,  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Walton. 
Chil. :  Thomas,  b.  1689  ;  Sarah,  b.  1690 ;  Mary,  b.  1692  ;  Eb- 
enezer, b.  and  d.  1693  >  Elizabeth,  b.  1694,  and  m.  1724,  Benja, 
Smith,  and  was  great-grandmother  of  the  late  David,  Noah,  and 
Archibald  Smith  ;  Rebecca,  b.  1695,  an<^  m-  172(>>  Ephraim 
Weston;  Martha,  b.  1697,  and  m.  Ebenezer  Stearns,  of  Sutton; 
Ebenezer,  b.  1699  ;  Abigail,  b.  1700,  and  m.  John  Lilley ;  Hep- 
zibeth,  b.  1701,  and  m.  John  Woodward  ;  Timothy,  b.  1706  ; 
Bethiah,  b.  1707 ;  Ruth,  b.  1711,  and  m.  John  Smith ;  Anna,  b. 
1713,  and  m.  1737,  Jeremiah  Brown,  and  d.  in  early  life. 

BURNAP,  Capt.  Joseph,  son  of  Robert,  Jr.,  and  Ann  ;  m.  1690,  Tabitha 

,  and  d.  1744.     Chil. :  Tabitha,  b.  1692,  and  m.  Ebenezer 

Flint ;  Elizabeth,  d.  young ;  Sarah,  b.  1694,  and  m.  Jereh  Swain  ; 
Abigail,  b.  1699,  and  m.  James  Smith;  Joseph,  b.  1701 ;  Sam- 
uel, b.  1703  ;  Lydia,  b.  1706,  and  m.  1727,  Wm.  Upton,  of 
Salem;  John,  b.  1708,  and  m.  1732,  Ruth  Smith;  Martha,  b. 
1710,  and  m.  John  Walton;  Isaac,  b.  1713,  and  m.  1736,  Su- 
sanna, dau.  of  Ebenr  and  Bethiah  Emerson,  and  was  father  of 
Rev.  Jacob  Burnap,  D.  D.,  of  Merrimack,  N.  H. ;  Hepzibeth, 
who  m.  1725,  Nath'l  Emerson.  Capt.  Joseph,  aforesaid,  and 
8 


58  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

perhaps  his  father  Robert,  Jr.,  lived  on  the  late  Capt.  Jonathan 
Weston's  place  in  West  Parish. 

BURT,  Thomas,  by  ist  wife  Sarah  had  chil. :  Sarah,  b.  1676  ;  Elizabeth, 
b.  1678;  Martha,  b.  1680;  Thomas,  b.  1685;  John,  b.  1687, 
and  d.  1689;  Samuel,  b.  1689;  (by  zd  wife  Mary),  had  John, 
b.  1692  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1695,  and  m.  1722,  Ruth  Fiske  ;  Benj., 
b.  1700.  He  lived  in  the  North  Parish. 

BURT,  Thomas,  Jr.,  son  of  the  above,  b.  1685,  m.  1711,  Elizabeth  Lari- 
ford,  and  had  Sarah,  b.  1711,  who  m.  1732,  Joseph  Gilbert,  of 
Boston. 

BUTTERS,  or  Buttery,  John,  had  chil. :  John,  b.  1660 ;  Elizabeth,  b. 
1662  ;  Sarah,  b.  1664. 

CARTER,  Thomas,  m.  1713,  Abigail  Locke,  of  Woburn.  Chil.  :  Thomas, 
b.  1715;  Abigail,  b.  1717. 

CHADWICK,  Samuel,  m.  1685,  Mary  Stocker.  Chil. :  (born  at  Woburn,) 
Mary,  b.  1685,  and  m.  1704,  Joel  Jenkins;  Martha,  b.  1687, 
and  d.  soon;  Martha,  b.  1689,  and  m.  1716,  Robt.  Trevitt,  of 
Charlestown.  He  was  killed  at  Reading,  1690,  by  the  falling 
of  a  tree. 

CHANDLER,  Thomas,  had  a  son  John,  b.  1655. 

CLARK,  Thomas,  removed  to  Reading  from  Lynn.  His  ist  wife  was 
Else,  or  Alice,  who  d.  1658  ;  he  m  ,  2d,  1658,  Mary,  sister  of 
Major  Jeremiah  Swain ;  she  d.  1688,  he  d.  1693  ;  was  a  select- 
man. Chil.  :  Perley,  who  had  a  dau.  Elizabeth,  b.  1669  ;  Han- 
nah ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1659  ;  Thomas,  b.  1661,  and  d.  1673  ;  Mary, 
who  m.  1794,  John  Bancroft,  Jr.,  of  Lynn. 

COLE,  John,  probably  from  Lynn;  m.  1691,  Mary .  Chil. :  Mary, 

b.  1693  ;  Martha,  b.  1695  >  Jona->  b.  1698  ;  Jona.,  b.  1699. 

COLSON,  Adam,  m.  1668,  Mary,  dau.  of  Josiah  Dustin.  Chil. :  Josiah, 
b.  and  d.  1673  >  Elizabeth,  b.  1676 ;  Lydia,  b.  1680 ;  David,  b. 
1682;  was  schoolmaster  from  1679  to  J68i  >  ne  ^-  l^7>  anc^ 
his  wid.  m.  1698,  Cornelius  Browne,  Senr. 

COOK,  George,  of  Carolina,  d.  in  Reading  in  1710. 

COWDREY,  Dea.  William,  b.  1602,  d.  1687,  aged  85  ;  his  wife's  name 
was  Joanna,  who  d.  in  1666.  Chil.  :  Nathaniel,  b.  ;  Mat- 
thias, b.  1641,  and  d.  1663  ;  Bethiah,  b'.  1643,  ar>d  married  prob- 
ably   Policy.  He  settled  first  at  Lynn,  removed  thence  to 

Reading  in  1642,  lived  on  the  present  site  of  the  late  "Quanna- 
powitt  House  "  on  the  Common,  was  deacon,  clerk  of  the  writs, 
town  clerk,  selectman,  and  representative,  and  was  for  a  long 
time  a  most  influential  and  useful  citizen.  He  willed  "  half  of 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


59 


homestead  to  son  Nathaniel  and  half  to  grandson  Nathaniel ; 
also,  to  son  Nathaniel  what  he  lives  on." 

COWDREY,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Dea.  William  and  Joanna;  m.,  ist,  1654, 

Elizabeth ;  she  d.  1659 ;  m.,  2d,  1660,  Mary,  dau.  of  John 

and  Rebecca  Bachelder.  He  d.  1690,  and  his  wid.  d.  1729, 
aged  94.  He  settled  on  Cowdrey's  hill,  so  named  from  him,  on 
a  farm,  a  portion  of  which  is  still  owned  and  occupied  by  Jonas 
Cowdrey,  his  descendant ;  his  dwelling  stood  some  rods  westerly 
of  the  house  now  owned  by  Maj.  G.  O.  Carpenter.  He  was 
town  clerk  and  selectman.  Chil. :  Samuel,  b.  1657  ;  Elizabeth, 
b.  and  d.  1659  ;  Nathaniel,  b.  1661  ;  Rebecca,  b.  1663  ;  Wil- 
liam, b.  1666;  Joanna,  b.  1673;  Susanna,  b.  1676;  Nathaniel, 
b.  1679  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1689. 

COWDREY,  Samuel,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1657  ;  m.  1685, 
Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Hananiah  and  Elizabeth  Parker,  —  perhaps 
had  a  2d  wife,  Martha.  Chil. :  Ruth,  b.  1687  ;  Mary,  b.  1689  ; 
Martha,  b.  (at  Lynn)  1693. 

COWDREY,  William,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Mary  (2d  wife),  b.  1666  ;  m., 
ist,  Esther,  who  d.  1698;  m.,  2d,  1701,  Tabitha,  dau.  of  Sergt. 
James  Boutwell.  He  succeeded  his  father  at  the  homestead  on 
the  hill.  He  d.  1726,  and  his  wid.  d.  1745.  Chil. :  Elizabeth, 
b.  1695  ;  William,  b.  1702  ;  Susanna,  b.  1697,  and  m.  1723,  Jo- 
seph Burrill ;  Tabitha,  b.  1705  ;  Rebecca,  b.  1708,  and  m.  1730, 
John  Goodwin;  Nathaniel,  b.  1710;  Mary.  b.  1713;  Esther,  b. 
1717. 

COWDREY,  William,  son  of  William  and  Tabitha,  b.  1702  ;  m.  1724, 
'  Mary  Thompson,  and  had  chil.  :  William,  b.  1730  ;  Joseph,  b. 

1733- 

COWDREY,  Nathaniel,  son  of  William  and  Tabitha,  b.  1710;  m.  1736, 
Tabitha,  dau.  of  Thomas  Hartshorn,  succeeded  his  father  on  the 
homestead.  He  d.  1745.  Chil.  :  Nathaniel,  b.  1737  ;  William, 
b-  1739  ;  Thomas,  b.  1742  ;  James,  b.  1744,  and  d.  1745. 

COWDREY,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Tabitha,  b  1737  ;  m.  1758, 
Sarah,  dau.  of  John  and  Sarah  (Lilley)  Parker.  Chil. :  Nathan- 
iel, b.  1759,  and  m.  Jerusha  Emerson;  Sarah,  b.  1761,  and  m. 

1782,  Wm.  Emerson,  late  of  Melrose ;  Esther,  b.  1764,  and  m. 

1783,  Wm.  Stimpson,  Jr.;  Ezra,  b.  1766;  Mehitabel,  b.  1768, 
and  m.   1787,  Samuel  Weston ;   Hannah,  b.    1770;   Isaac,  b. 
1772  ;  Isaac,  b.  1774;  Aaron,  b.  1777.     He  also  succeeded  his 
father  on  the  old  homestead,  and  was  in  turn  succeeded  by  his 
youngest  son,  the  late  Aaron  Cowdrey. 


60  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

COWJDREY,  Jonathan,  by  wife  Rachel  had  a  dau.  Susannah,  b.  1755, 
who  m.  1782,  Rev.  Charles  Stearns,  of  Lincoln.  This  Jonathan 
Cowdrey  was  of  a  distinct  family  from  the  foregoing  ;  resided 
but  a  few  years  in  Reading;  was  living  about  1765  where  Col. 
James  Hartshorn  lived  in  1870  ;  was  a  clock-maker,  etc. 

CURWIN,  Capt.,  was  taxed  in  1686  as  of  the  North  Parish. 

CUTLER,  Nathaniel,  son  of  John  and  Mary,  of  Hingham  ;  his  mother 
m.  for  a  second  husband,  -  Hewitt,  and  she  d.  at  Reading 
in  1681.  He  (Nathaniel)  m.  1655,  Mary  --  ,  and  had  chil.  : 
Mary,  b.  1656;  Nathaniel,  b.  1659;  Hannah,  b.  1662,  and  m. 
1681,  James  Pike;  Sarah,  b.  1665;  Lydia,  b.  1669.  His  wife 
Mary  d.  1708;  and  he  m.,  2d,  1709,  Elizabeth  Haines,  who  d. 


CUTLER,  Thomas,  brother  of  the  foregoing,  m.  1659,  Mary  Very,  of 
Salem,  and  had  chil.  :  Thomas,  b.  i66oj  Sarah,  b.  1666  ;  Ruth, 
b.  1668;  David,  b.  1670;  Jona.,  b.  1678.  He  d.  1683,  and  his 
wid.  m.  1684,  Matthew  Smith,  Sen. 

CUTLER,  Edward,  had  a  dau.  Mary,  b.  1663. 

CUTLER,  John,  m.  1678,  Hannah,  dau.  of  Henry  Bellflower. 

CUTLER,  Thomas,  of  Charlestown,  perhaps  the  son  of  Thomas  and 
Mary;  had  chil.  :  Thomas,  b.  1691  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1692,  and  d. 
1693;  Hannah,  b.  1696  (all  in  Charlestown);  Mary,  b.  1698, 
and  d.  1703  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1700;  Ruth,  b.  1704,  and  d.  1706. 

CUTLER,  Nathaniel,  m.  1700,  Elizabeth  Underwood,  of  Watertown. 
Chil.  :  Mary,  b.  1701  ;  Nath'l,  b.  1702  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1705  ; 
John,  b.  1705  ;  Jona.,  b.  1711.  t 

NOTE.  —  The  Cutler  family  lived  in  the  easterly  part  of  the  town,  near  the  spot 
occupied,  in  1868,  by  E.  W.  Wood.  They  early  removed  to  Charlestown  (now 
Stoneham),  Medway,  Shrewsbury,  etc. 

DAMON,  John  (Deacon),  came,  it  is  said,  from  Reading,  England  ;  set- 
tled first,  perhaps,  on  Cowdrey's  hill,  where  was  a  very  early 
seat  of  the  Damons.  The  family,  some  of  them,  soon  located 
in  the  West  Parish,  where  their  descendants  have  owned  until 
recently.  His  wife's  name  was  Abigail.  He  was  a  selectman, 
and  died  1708,  aged  87,  and  his  widow  d.  1713.  Chil.  :  John, 
b.  and  d.  1651;  John,  b.  1652;  Abigail,  b.  1654,  and  m.  Na- 
thaniel Rand;  Samuel,  b.  1656  ;  Joseph,  b.  1661. 

DAMON,  Thomas,  perhaps  brother  of  the  above  ;  settled  on  Cowdrey's 
hill,  and  had  a  son  Thomas,  b.  1659. 

DAMON,  John,  son  of  Dea.  John  and  Abigail,  b.  1652  ;  m.,  ist,  1678* 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  fa 

Susan  Wiley;  and  2d,  m.  Ruth .     Chil.  :  by  Ruth,  Joseph 

and  Mary  (twins),  b.  1697. 

DAMON,  Samuel,  son  of  Dea.  John  and  Abigail,  b.  1656 ;  was  a  soldier 

in  Narragansett  war ;  m.  Mary ,  and  had  children  :  Samuel, 

b.  1681 ;  Mary,  b.  1683,  and  m.  Tho.  Taylor;  Ebenezer,  b. 
1686;  Abigail,  b.  1689,  and  m.  Richard  Nichols;  Esther,  b. 
1691,  and  m.  Daniel  Gowing;  Benja.,  b.  1693  ;  Mercy,  b.  1695, 
and  m.  Ebenezer  Parker;  John,  b.  1697 ;  Tabitha,  b.  1703,  and 
m.  John  Townsend.  He  d.  1725,  and  his  widow  d.  1727. 

DAMON,  Thomas,  son  of  Thomas,  b.  1659  ;  m.  1683,  Lucy  Ann,  dau. 
of  Rev.  Joseph  Emerson,  of  Mendon,  whose  widow  had  married 
Capt.  John  Browne,  of  Reading.  He  d.  in  1723,  and  his  widow, 
Lucy  Ann,  d.  1740.  Chil.:  Lucy  Ann,  b.  1684,  and  m.  1706, 
Kendall  Boutwell ;  Joseph,  b.  1686,  and  m.,  ist,  1707,  Mary 

Bacheller,  and  2d,  Lydia ;  Thomas,  b.  1690,  and  d.  1703 

Elizabeth,  b.  1693,  and  m.  Benj.  Gerry;  Hannah,  b  1695,  anc* 
m.  Samuel  Leman ;  Susanna,  b. ,  and  m.  Nathaniel  Town- 
send  ;  Mehitabel,  b.  1699,  and  m.  Nathaniel  Cowdrey;  Mary, 
b.  1701,  and  m.  John  Holden,  of  Woburn  ;  Thomas,  b.  1703  ; 

Edward ;  John,  b.  1709;  Abigail,  b.  1713,  and  m.  Robert 

Thompson. 

DAMON,  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary,  b.  1681 ;  m.  1707,  Priscilla 
Wright,  and  had  chil. :  Samuel,  b.  1708 ;  John,  b.  1712. 

DAMON,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary,  b  1686  ;  by  wife  Eliza- 
beth had  chil. :  David,  b.  1710,  and  m.  1731,  Esther  Gowing; 
Jona.,  b.  and  d.  1712  ;  Samuel,  b.  1716,  and  m.  Annis  Gowing  ; 
Ezra,  b.  1721,  and  m.  Ruth  Bragg;  Mary,  b.  1723  ;  Jona.,  b. 
1726  ;  Edward,  b.  1728,  and  m.  Elizabeth . 

DAMON,  Benj  a.,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary,  b.  1693;  m-  I7I4>  Mercy 
Flint,  and  had  chil. :  Mehitabel,  b.  1715,  and  m.  1745,  Nath'l 
Bancroft,  of  Sherburne  ;  Martha,  b  1718;  Timothy,  b.  1721  ; 
Benja.,  1723;  Hepzibeth,  b.  1725  ;  Abigail,  b.  1727. 

DAMON,  John,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary,  b.  1697  ;  m.  1722,  Rebecca, 
dau.  of  John  and  Sarah  Pratt.  Chil.:  John,  b.  1723  ;  Samuel, 
b.  1726;  Hepzibeth,  b.  1729,  and  m.  1755,  Ebenezer  Smith; 
Timothy,  b.  1732,  and  d.  soon  ;  Hannah,  b.  1735,  and  m.  1765, 
Thos.  Symonds;  Rebecca,  b.  1736;  Daniel,  b.  1737;  John  and 
Timothy  (twins),  b.  1738-9  ;  Rebecca,  b.  1740.  He  d.  in  1755, 
aged  57. 

NOTE.  —  Parson  Hobby  in  recording  his  death,  says,  "  a  poor  unhappy  man,  who, 
having  plunged  himself  into  the  depths  of  enthusiasm,  forsook  the  ordinances  and 


62  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

house  of  God ;  at  length,  withheld  all  prayer,  and  by  his  former  excessive  fasting,  for 
days  and  weeks  together,  threw  himself  into  a  consumption,  of  which  he  died."  It  is 
also  said  of  him  that  he  felt  himself  called  upon  by  a  spiritual  communication  to 
imitate  the  Saviour  and  to  fast  forty  days  and  forty  nights,  and  he  undertook  to  do  so. 

DAMON,  Samuel,  son  of  John  and  Rebecca,  b.  1726  ;  m.  1754,  Abigail, 
dau.  of  Isaac  and  Mary  Smith.  Chil. :  Samuel,  b.  1756,  and 
m.  1779,  Abigail  Sweetser;  Daniel,  b.  1757,  and  m.  1782,  Anne 
Emerson  ;  Benja.,  b.  1760  ;  Abigail,  b.  1763  ;  John,  b.  1766,  and 
m.  1790,  Hepzibeth,  dau.  of  Ebenezer  and  Hepzibeth  Smith; 
Rebecca,  b.  1768. 

DAVIS,  George,  came  from  Lynn,  and  d.  1667;  was  selectman  and 
had  chil. :  Joseph  (probably);  Hannah,  b.  1648,  and  m.  1669, 
John  Boutwell ;  Sarah,  b.  1651;  Elizabeth,  b.  1654,  and  m. 
1678,  Timothy  Wiley;  Mary,  b.  1657  ;  George,  b.  1660;  Susan- 
na, b.  1662  ;  and  perhaps  John,  who  d.  in  1660. 

DAVIS,  Joseph,  son  (probably)  of  the  above.  Chil. :  Joseph,  b.  1669, 
and  d.  soon  ;  Hannah,  b.  1672  ;  Caleb  and  Joshua,  twins,  b.  1673, 
the  latter  m.  1697,  Rebecca  Poor,  and  had  Ruth  and  Sarah; 
Thomas,  b.  1676,  and  m.  1698,  Hannah  Hartshorne. 

DICKERMAN,  John,  m.  1691,  Sarah .  Chil.  :  John,  b.  1692  ; 

Thomas,  b.  1693  ;  Sarah,  b.  1694. 

DICKERMAN,  John,  son  (probably)  of  the  above,  b  1692  ;  by  wife  Mary 
had  John,  b.  1715  ;  Tho.,  b.  1716. 

Dix,  Ralph,  was  of  Ipswich  in  1647  >  a  fisherman  ;  removed  to  Read- 
ing in  1662  ;  wife's  name  was  Esther.  He  lived  on  the  place 
now  owned  by  heirs  of  Hon.  Tho.  Emerson.  Chil. :  (born  in 
Ipswich,)  John,  b.  1659;  Samuel,  b.  1661 ;  (born  in  Reading), 
Stephen,  b.  1664;  Stephen,  b.  1672,  and  perhaps  Sarah. 

Dix,  Samuel,  son  of  Ralph  and  Esther,  b.  1661 ;  ist  wife's  name  was 
Elizabeth,  who  d.  1693  ;  2d  wife's  name  was  Hannah  Smith,  of 
Charlestown,  who  d.  1696.  Chil.  :  Elizabeth  (probably),  b. 
1689  ;  Stephen,  b.  1692,  and  drowned  in  the  Pond  in  1705  ; 
Hannah,  b.  1694;  Ebenezer,  b.  and  d.  1696. 

Dix,  John,  son  of  Ralph  and  Esther,  b.  1659  ;  m.,  ist,  Lydia,  in  1692, 
and  she  d.  1699  ;  m.,  2d,  1700,  Anna  Fitch.  He  succeeded  to 
the  homestead  of  his  father.  Chil. :  John  and  Lydia  (twins),  b. 
and  d.  1693;  Lydia,  b.  1695,  a"d  d.  1709;  Sarah,  b.  1697; 
Elizabeth,  b.  1699  ;  Anna,  b.  1702  ;  Samuel,  b.  1706  ;  Mary,  b. 
1708  ;  Jona.,  b.  1710 ;  James,  b.  1712  ;  Edson,  b.  1714. 

NOTE.  — It  is  said  that  Rev.  Samuel  Dix,  Har.  Coll.  1758,  and  Hon.  John  A.  Dix 
late  U.  S.  Senator  from  New  York,- were  descendants  of  Ralph  Dir. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  63 

DUNTON,  Robert,  was  selectman  of  Reading,  1647  to  1649. 

DUNTON,  Samuel,  probably  a  son  or  brother  of  the  foregoing,  came 
from  Lynn,  and  had  chil.:  Samuel,  b.  1647  ;  Hannah,  b.  1649  ; 
Nathaniel,  b.  1655  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1658  ;  Sarah,  b.  1660 ;  Mary, 
b.  1662  ;  Ruth,  b.  1664;  and  perhaps  John  and  Thomas.  He 
d.  1683,  and  his  wid.,  whose  name  was  Anna  (probably),  d. 
1689. 

DUNTON,  Samuel,  Jr.,  son  of  the  foregoing,  b.  1647  '>  by  wife  Sarah,  had 
chil.:  Samuel,  b.  1674;  Sarah,  b.  1677;  Rebecca,  b.  1679,  and 
d.  soon;  Ebenezer,  b.  1681. 

DUNTON,  John,  probably  brother  of  the  last  above-named ;  by  wife 
Ruth  had  chil. :  John,  b.  1686  ;  Samuel,  b.  1688  ;  Ruth,  b  1690, 
and  m.  1713,  Samuel  Gould;  Elizabeth,  b.  1692;  Thomas,  b. 
1695  >  Joseph  and  Mary,  twins,  b.  1697,  of  whom  Joseph  d. 
soon;  Sarah,  b.  1700;  Hepzibeth,  b.  1702. 

DUTTON,  Thomas,  b.  about  1626 ;  ist  wife's  name  was  Susan ;  she  d. 
1684,  and  he  m.,  2d,  1684,  Ruth,  dau  of  Wm.  Hooper.  Chil.: 
Thomas,  b.  1648;  Mary,  b.  1651 ;  Susanna,  b.  1653  ;  John,  b. 
1656;  Elizabeth,  b.  1659;  J°sePn>  b.  1661,  and  m.  1685,  Re- 
becca Fitch;  Sarah,  b.  1662  ;  James,  b.  1665  ;  Benj.,  b.  1669. 
He  removed  first  to  Woburn,  and  after  to  Billerica,  where  he 
was  in  1675.  His  son  Thomas  was  in  the  Indian  war  at  the 
East,  and  had  a  remarkable  escape  in  1677,  when  many  were 
killed. 

DUSTIN,  Josiah,  lived  near  the  southeast  corner  of  the  "  Great  Pond," 
and  d.  1671.  Chil.:  Josiah;  Lydia ;  Hannah,  who  m.  1662, 
Thomas  Tower;  Mary,  b.  1648,  and  d.  1649;  Mary,  b.  1650, 
and  m  1668,  Adam  Colson  ;  Sarah,  b.  1653. 

EATON,  Jonas,  lived  on  the  N.  W.  part  of  Cowdrey's  hill ;  by  wife 
Grace  had  chil.:  Mary,  b.  1643,  died  single  in  1732,  aged  90; 
John,  b.  1645  )  Jonas ;  Joseph,  b.  1651  ;  Joshua,  b.  1653  ;  Jona- 
than, b.  1655  ;  David,  b.  and  d.  1657  ;  Sarah,  b. ,  who  m. 

1671,  Joseph  Dodge.  He  was  a  freeman  in  1653,  a  selectman, 
and  d.  1674. 

EATON,  William,  was  brother  of  Jonas ;  came  here  from  Watertown ; 
was  a  freeman  in  1653  ;  by  wife  Martha  had  chil.:  Daniel,  b. 
1638,  in  Watertown  ;  Martha,  who  m.  Thomas  Brown,  of  Cam- 
bridge ;  another  dau.,  who  m.  Francis  Moore ;  and  Mary,  who 
was  single  in  1673.  He  d.  1673,  and  his  wid.  d.  1680. 

EATON,  John,  son  of  Jonas  and  Grace,  b.  1645  >  lived  probably  on 
Cowdrey's  hill;  d.  1691 ;  by  wife  Dorcas,  had  chil. :  Jonas,  b. 


64  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

and  d.  1677  ;  Grace,  b.  1678,  and  m.  1695,  Jonn  Boutwell ; 
Noah,  b.  1678;  Thomas,  b.  1679;  Jonas,  b.  1680,  and  m.  Me- 
hitabel,  and  removed  to  Framingham  ;  Joseph,  b.  and  d.  1681  ; 
Benja.,  b.  1683;  perhaps  Joseph  again;  Dorcas,  b.  1688;  Ste- 
phen, b.  1689  ;  and  Phebe,  b.  1690,  who  m.  1716,  Jona.  Nichols. 

EATON,  Jonas,  son  of  Jonas  and  Grace,  b.  about.  1647  or  '48 ;  m.  1677, 
Hannah  Mason,  and  had  chil. :  Jonas,  b.  1678  ;  Jonas,  b.  1680 ; 
John,  b.  1681 ;  Mary,  b.  1683;  Hannah,  b.  1685;  Abigail,  b. 
1688;  Jonas,  b.  1690;  Sarah,  b.  1693.  This  family  became 
early  settlers  of  the  West  Parish,  near  the  Prescott  place. 

EATON,  Joshua,  son  of  Jonas  and  Grace,  b.  1653  ;  m.,  ist,  1678,  Re- 
becca, dau.  of  Dea.  Tho.  Kendall;  she  d.  1690;  m.,  2d,  1690, 

Ruth .     He  d.  1717,  aged  64;  lived  in  the  westerly  part  of 

the  west  parish ;  was  selectman  and  representative  Chil. :  Re- 
becca, b.  1679;  Elizabeth,  b.  1681,  and  m.  1700,  Sam1  Lam- 
son;  Joshua,  b.  1683  ;  Thomas,  b.  1685  ;  Abigail,  b.  1688. 

EATON,  Jonathan,  son  of  Jonas  and  Grace,  b.  1655  ;  m.,  ist,  1683, 
Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Rob'  Burnap,  Jr. ;  she  d.  1688  ;  m.,  zd,  Mary 

;  lived  on  the  homestead  on  the  hill;  d.  1743,  aged  88; 

was  Lieut,  and  selectman.  Chil  :  Sarah,  b.  1684,  and  m.  John 
Poole  ;  Jonathan,  b.  1686;  was  a  soldier  in  the  Nova  Scotia 
Expedition,  and  d.  at  Annapolis  Royal  in  1711;  unmarried. 
Elizabeth,  b.  1688,  and  m.  Joseph  Parker ;  Mary,  b.  and  d. 
1691;  Samuel,  b.  and  d.  1693  ;  Mary,  b.  1694,  and  m.  1716, 
Josiah  Nurse;  John,  b.  1697;  Samuel,  b.  1702;  Nathaniel,  b. 
about  1700,  and  m.  Lydia ;  Noah,  b.  1704,  and  m.  Phebe  Lilley, 
of  Woburn ;  Joanna,  b.  and  d.  1708. 

EATON,  John,  son  (probably)  of  Wm.  and  Martha,  and  born  perhaps  at 
Watertown;  m  1658,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Dea.  Thomas  Kendall; 
settled  probably  on  the  Plain  in  westerly  part  of  West  Parish, 
and  d.  1691.  Chil.:  Thomas,  b.  1660,  and  d.  1661;  Elizabeth, 

b.  1662,  and  m. Bancroft;  Rebecca,  b.  1665,  and  m    1680, 

Thomas  Nichols;  John,  b.  1666;  Martha,  b.  1668,  and  m. 
1685,  Timothy  Hartshorne;  William,  b.  1670;  Thomas,  b.  1673, 
and  d.  1674;  Tabitha,  b.  1675,  ar)d  rn.  1690,  Joseph  Burnap; 
Hepzibeth,  b.  1680,  and  m.  1697,  Sam1  Frothingham,  of  Charles- 
town;  Hannah,  b.  1683;  Benja,  b.  1684. 

EATON,  Daniel,  son  of  Wm.  and  Martha,  b.  1638,  at  Watertown. 
Chil. :  William,  b.  1665  ;  Daniel,  who.  d.  1667  ;  another  Daniel, 
b.  1667;  a  dau.,  b.  1669;  Ann,  b.  1671;  Martha,  b.  1673; 
Priscilla,  b.  1676;  Daniel,  b.  1678;  Mehitabel,  b.  1680. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  65 

EATON,  John,  son  of7 John  and  ElizabNand  grandson  of  Wm.  and  Mar- 
tha, b.  1666;  m.  1691,  Hannah ;  she  d.  1721,  and  he  d. 

1727  ;  he  lived  in  the  North  Parish.     Chil. :  John,  b.  1692,  and 
d.   1724;   Hannah,  b.   1694,  and  m.  1720,   Edward   Harcum 
Thomas,  b.  1696  ;    Hepzibeth,  b.   and  d.   1698  ;   Timothy,  b. 
1699,  and  m.  1727,  Mary  Delver ;  Israel,  b.  1702,  and  m.  1726, 
Diadem    Howard,   of   Salem  ;    Paul,    b.   1706,  and    d.   1733 
Silas,  b.  1709,  and  m.  1736,  Jerusha  Gould,  of  Andover;  Eben- 
ezer,  b.  1712  ;  Barnabas,  b.  1718. 

EATON,  William,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1670  ;   m.  1695,  Mary 

,  and  removed  to  Lynnfield.      Chil.  :   William,  b.   1696  ; 

Jeremiah,  b.  1698;  Elizabeth,  b.  1700;  Jacob,  b..  1703  ;  Benja., 
b.  1705. 

EATON,  Thomas,  son  of  Joshua  and  Rebecca,  b.  1685  ;  m.  1708,  Lydia 
Pierce,  of  Watertown  ;  succeeded  to  his  father's  homestead  ; 
was  captain,  selectman,  and  representative  ;  d.  1774,  aged  91. 
Chil.:  Thomas,1  b.  1712,  and  d.  1723;  Jonathan, .b.  1714,  and 
settled  in  Woburn  ;  Ruth,  b.  1716,  and  m.  1734,  John  Nichols  ; 
Lydia,  b.  1718,  and  d.  1725  ;  Hannah,  b.  1721,  and  m.  1739, 
James  Nichols  ;  Abigail,  b.  1724;  Lydia,  b.  1727,  and  m.  1750, 
Philip  Russell,  of  Lexington;  Thomas,  b.  1729;  Rebecca,  b.  1731 ; 
Joshua,2  b.  1734,  and  d.,  the  town  record  says,  in  1772,  and 
Thomas  Eaton's  will  confirms  it. 

EATON,  Joseph ;  he  was  probably  either  the  son,  or,  through  John  and 
Dorcas,  the  grandson  of  Jonas  and  Grace ;  m.  1709,  Mary  Pear- 
son, of  Lynnfield.  Chil.  :  Joseph,  b.  1711 ;  Mary,  b.  1714,  and 
m.  1734,  Nathaniel  Upton ;  Benjamin,  b.  1720 ;  Sarah,  b.  1722  ; 
Pearson,  b.  1725. 

EATON,  John,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Mary,  b.  1697  ;  m.  Abigail  Roberts  ; 
d.  1758,  aged  61.  Chil. :  John,  b.  1723,  and  m.  1744,  Elizabeth 
Boutwell,  and  settled  in  West  Parish,  near  Tim.  Hartshorn 
place  ;  Thomas,  b.  1725  ;  Abigail,  b.  1727,  and  d.  1729  ;  James, 
b.  1733,  and  m.  1758,  Lois  Damon,  and  was  grandfather  of  the 
present  Joseph  Eaton,  of  Wakefield. 

EATON,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Mary,  b.  about  1700 ;  m.  Lydia 

;   lived  in  the  westerly  part  of  Wakefield,  on  the  place 

owned,  in  1868,  by Davis.     Chil. :  Nathan,  b.  1726  ;  Jona- 
than, b.  1728;  Lydia,  b.  1730;  Nathaniel,  b.  1732  ;  Mary,  b.  1734; 

1  This  Thomas  was  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Joshua  Prescott,  late  of  Reading. 

2  A  son  of  this  Joshua  was  killed  in  battle  at  the  taking  of  Burgoyne  in  1777,  and 
was  the  father  of  the  late  Mary  Kayner,  of  South  Reading. 

9 


66  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

William,  b.  1737,  and  m.  1762,  Rebecca  Flint ;  Elizabeth  and 
Sarah,  twins,  b.  1740  ;  Sarah,  m.  1760,  Jonathan  Poole  ;  Susanna, 
b.  1746. 

EATON,  Noah,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Mary,  b.  1704;  m.  Phebe  Lilley,  of 
Woburn,  and  d.  1770  ;  his  widow,  Phebe,  d.  1786.  Lived  awhile 
at  the  homestead  on  the  hill ;  afterwards,  in  1732,  he  purchased 
of  Benjamin  Gibson,  of  Boston,  the  former  homestead  of  Zach- 
ariah  Poole,  leather-dresser,  who  had  sold  to  said  Gibson  and 
removed  to  Medford,  —  the  same  place  formerly  owned  by  Dea. 
Jacob  Eaton,  at  the  corner  of  Eaton  and  Crescent  Streets.  On 
this  place,  which  included  the  land  on  both  sides  of  Eaton 
Street,  and  extended  easterly  to  the  "  Lot  End  Road,"  now  Ver- 
non  Street,  he  lived  until  his  death.  Chil. :  Noah,  b.  1728,  and 
settled  in  Woburn;  Phebe,  b.  1731,  and  m.  1749,  Thomas  Hart, 
of  Lynnfield  ;  Katharine,  b.  1735,  and  d.  soon;  Hannah  and 

Lilley,  twins,  b.  1738  ;  Hannah  in. Boutwell,  of  Amherst, 

N.  H. ;  Lilley,  m.  1762,  Sarah,  dau.  of  Dea.  Brown  Emerson  ; 
Katharine,  b.  1744,  and  m.  John  Emerson;  Susanna,  b.  1749, 
and  Reuben,  m.  1773,  Sarah  Hart. 

EATON,  Jonathan,  son  of  Thomas  and  Lydia,  b.  1714;  m.  Mary,  dau. 
of  Joseph  and  Mary  Damon ;  was  a  Lieut,  and  selectman  sev- 
eral years ;  lived  on  the  place  in  "  Woodend,"  then  so  called, 
recently  known  as  the  Jonas  Parker  place,  and  now  owned  by 
Chas.  Tweed.  The  old  house  was  burnt  down  some  40  years 
since,  either  before  or  soon  after  his  place  passed  out  of  the 
family.  Chil.  :  Jonathan1,  b.  1735  j  m-  I759>  Lucy  Ann  Holden, 
and  removed  to  Stoneham ;  Lydia,  b.  1740;  m.  Lieut.  Nathan 
Eaton;  Edmund,  b.  1742  ;  m.  1766,  Sarah,  dau.  of  Dea.  Benja. 
and  Sarah  Brown ;  lived  at  one  time  on  the  place  now  owned 
and  occupied  by  heirs  of  Hon.  Tho.  Emerson,  and  died  1796. 
He  was  father  of  late  Dr.  Joseph  Eaton,  Surgeon  in  the  United 
States  army,  and  grandfather  of  Gen.  Joseph  H.  Eaton  (son  of 
Dr.  Joseph),  an  officer  in  the  Mexican  War,  and  a  Colonel  and 
General  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.  Also,  grandfather  of 
Mrs.  Leonard  Wiley,  of  Wakefield. 

"  COLONEL  JOSEPH  H.  EATON,  PROMOTED  TO  THE  RANK  OF  BREVET  BRIGADIER- 
GENERAL,  U.  S.  A. 

"  Colonel  Joseph  H.  Eaton,  the  able  and  efficient  assistant  to  the  Paymaster- 
General,  and  the  author  of  the  '  Paymaster's  Manual,'  has  been  officially  notified  by 

1  This  Jonathan  Eaton  was  grandfather  of  the  wives  of  Henry  Knight,  John  White, 
Jr.,  and  Joseph  Eaton,  of  Wakefield;  and  other  grandchildren. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


the  Secretary  of  War  that  the  President  has,  '  for  faithful  and  meritorious  services  in 
the  pay  department,'  appointed  him  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  by  brevet  in  the 
regular  army,  to  date  from  March  13,  1865.  This  is  an  excellent  appointment,  and 
one  well  earned  by  long  and  faithful  services. 

"Joseph  Horace  Eaton,  in  September,  1831,  entered  West  Point  from  Massachu- 
setts, and  was  brevetted  a  second  lieutenant  of  the  third  infantry  in  July,  1835  ;  a  first 
lieutenant  in  the  same  regiment  in  September,  1838.  From  February,  1839,  to  June, 
1843,  Lieutenant  Eaton  was  'Assistant  Instructor  of  Infantry  Tactics'  at  the  West 
Point  Military  Academy.  Lieutenant  Eaton  accompanied  General  Zachary  Taylor  to 
Mexico  as  an  officer  of  his  staff,  and  was  distinguished  for  gallantry  and  merit  in  the 
sanguinary  battles  fought  by  General  Taylor.  Promoted  after  the  battles  on  the  Rio 
Grande  to  the  rank  of  captain,  he  was  in  September,  1846,  brevetted  major,  'for  gal- 
lant and  meritorious  conduct '  in  the  bloody  conflicts  around  Monterey  ;  and  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1847,  was  brevetted  lieutenant-colonel,  again  'for  gallant  and  meritorious 
conduct'  in  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista.  Brevet  Lieutenant-Colonel  Eaton  remained 
with  General  Taylor  during  the  war,  and  in  December,  1856,  resigned  his  commission 
in  the  army. 

"  At  the  beginning  of  the  rebellion,  Colonel  Eaton,  having  again  sought  service  in 
the  army,  was  in  1861  commissioned  an  additional  paymaster,  and  in  April,  1864,  was 
transferred  to  the  regular  army  as  paymaster,  with  the  rank  of  major.  He  was  sub- 
sequently brevetted  lieutenant-colonel  and  colonel,  and  now  again  brigadier-general, 
4  for  faithful  and  meritorious  services  in  the  pay  department.' " 

EDWARDS,  Matthew,  came  in  the  "Speedwell"  from  London  in  1657; 
m.  1657,  Mary,  dau.  of  John  Poole  ;  was  a  freeman  in  1669  ;  d. 
1683,  aged  52.  Chil. :  Mary,  b.  1659;  Sarah,  b.  1660;  Mat- 
thew, b.  1662,  and  d.  1663;  Elizabeth,  b.  1664;  Matthew,  zd, 


68  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

d.  1689,  aged  21 ;  Sarah,  b.  1673  ;  Abigail,  b.  1675  ;  Elizabeth, 
b.  1679. 

EMERSON,  Peter,  son  of  Rev.  Joseph  Emerson,  ist  minister  of  Mendon, 
whose  widow,  Elizabeth  (dau.  of  Rev.  Edward  Buckley  and 
granddau.  of  Rev.  Peter  Buckley,  early  ministers  of  Concord), 
became  the  2d  wife  of  John  Browns,  Esq.,  of  Reading  ;  b.  1673  ; 
m.  1696,  Anna,  dau.  of  John  Browne,  Esq.  (his  step-father),  and 
Anna  (Fiske)  Browne  ;  was  selectman  and  town  clerk  many 
years,  and  d.  1751,  aged  78.  Chil.  :  Anna,  b.  and  d.  1697; 
Elizabeth,  b.  1699,  and  m.  1724,  Elias  Smith  ;  Anna,  b.  1701  ; 
Brown,  b.  1704;  Lucy,  b.  1706,  and  d.  1735  ;  Sarah,  b.  1708  ; 
Jonathan,  b.  1711 ;  Mary,  b.  1713,  and  m.  1738,  Jonas  or  James 
Eaton;  Daniel,  b.  1716;  Katharine,  b.  1718,  and  m.  1745,  Jo- 
siah  Conant,  of  Dunstable.  Peter  Emerson  succeeded  to  the 
homestead  of  his  father-in-law,  John  Browne,  Esq.,  the  place 
now  owned  by  Dr.  Francis  P.  Hurd. 

EMERSON,  Ebenezer,  brother  of  the  foregoing,  m.,  ist,  1707,  Bethiah, 
dau.  of  Nathl.  Parker;  she  d.  1715  ;  m.,  2d,  1716,  Mary  Bout- 
well  and  two  other  wives;  lived  on  the  place  now  known  as 
"  Franklin  Weston  place,"  in  Reading.  Chil. :  Bethiah,  b.  1709, 
and  m.  1731,  Nathaniel  Parker;  Susanna,  b.  1713,  and  m.  1738, 
Isaac  Burnap  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1716,  and  m.  1746,  Anna  Nichols; 
James,  b.  1720,  and  m.,  ist,  1744,  Mary  Farrar,  and  m.,  2d, 
Elizabeth  Nichols,  and  settled  on  the  place  now  occupied  by 
Wid.  James  Emerson,  in  Wakefield  ;  Joseph,  b.  1721,  and  m. 
1749,  Phebe  Upton,  and  settled  on  the  place  now  occupied  by 
heirs  of  Hon.  Tho.  Emerson,  in  Wakefield.  Chil.  :  Joseph,  b. 

,  settled  in  Royalston  ;  Phebe,  b. ,  and  m.  1774,  Tho. 

Richardson;  Naomi,  b.  1755,  and  m.  Benja.  Badger;  Elias,  b. 

1757,  and  d.  1759  ;  Elias,  b.  1759,  and  m. •  Howard  ;  Mary, 

b.  1761,  and  m.  Benj.  Johnson;  Sarah,  b.  1763  ;  Bethyah,  b. 
1765;  Ephraim,  deacon,  b.  1767,  and  d.  unmarried;  Charles, 

b.  1769,  and  m.  Rebecca  Bryant;  Zerviah,  b.  1773,  and  m. 

Foster,  and,  2d, Howard  ;  Thomas,  b.  1724,  and  m.,  ist, 

1747,  Elizabeth  Bruce;  she  d.  1793,  aged  63;  m.,  2d,  1793, 
Mary  Dresser,  and  she  d.  1806,  aged  74.  He  d.  1810,  aged  85. 
He  also  settled  in  the  South  Parish.  Chil. :  Elizabeth,  b.  1753, 
and  m.  1777,  Benj.  Emerson;  Hannah,  b.  1755,  and  m.  1793, 
Timothy  Wakefield  (2d  wife);  Thomas,  b.  1757,  and  m.  1782, 
Ruth  Bancroft;  Jerusha,  b.  1762,  and  m.  1782,  Nathaniel  Cow- 
drey;  Susanna,  b.  1764,  and  m.  1793,  Wm.  Williams;  Jona- 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


69 


than,  b.  1768,  and  m.  Martha  Williams;  Lucy,  b.  1770,  and  m. 
1788,  Aaron  Damon;  Lois,  b.  1772,  and  m.  1791,  John  Smith. 

EMERSON,  Dea.  Brown,  son  of  Peter  and  Anna,  b.  1704;  m.  1724, 
Sarah,  dau.  of  John  and  Sarah  Townsend ;  succeeded  his  father 
on  the  homestead ;  was  town  clerk  and  selectman  for  many 
years.  He  d.  1774,  aged  70.  Chil. :  Peter,  b.  1726;  m.,  ist, 
1754,  Rebecca,  dau.  of  Jonathan  Poole ;  she  d.  1758;  m.,  2d, 
1761,  Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  Dix.  As  oldest 
son  he  succeeded  to  the  homestead,  but  sold  out  and  removed 
to  Harvard  ;  was  father  of  the  late  Peter  B.  Emerson,  of  Wake- 
field,  and  other  children.  Sarah,  b.  1728;  John,  b.  1732;  and 
Lucy,  b.  1735,  d.  in  1737  of  throat  distemper;  Jacob,  b.  1737, 
Har.  Coll.  1756,  m.  1775,  Margaret,  wid.  of  Dr.  Oliver 
Swain,  and  dau.  of  John  Walton ;  was  deacon  and  town  clerk, 
and  d.  1811 ;  John,  b.  1739  ;  m.  1764,  Katharine,  dau.  of  Noah 
Eaton,  and  was  father  of  the  Rev.  Reuben  and  Dr.  Brown 
Emerson  ;  Sarah,  b.  1741 ;  m.  1762,  Lilley  Eaton,  and  d.  1821  ; 
Daniel,  b.  1743;  Timothy,  b.  1746;  and  Brown,  b.  1749,  Har. 
Coll.  1778,  m.  and  removed  away. 

EMERSON,  Daniel,  son  of  Peter  and  Anna,  b.  1716  ;  Har.  Coll.  1639  ; 
became  a  minister ;  settled  in  Hollis,  N.  H. ;  was  great-grand- 
father of  Rev.  Alfred  Emerson,  formerly  settled  at  South  Read- 
ing, and  in  1868,  at  Fitchburg. 

ENDICOTT,  Gilbert,  a  yeoman  from  Dorchester ;  had  a  son  James,  b. 
1696. 

EVANS,  Nathaniel,  came  from  Wales,  it  is  said,  and  with  his  father, 
Henry  Evans,  settled  in  that  part  of  Maiden  that  was  annexed 
in  1729  to  Reading,  his  son's  family  being  one  of  the  ten  fami- 
lies set  off  at  that  time,  from  Maiden,  and  annexed  to  Reading, 
and  constituting  what  is  now  the  village  of  Greenwood.  He 
lived  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Charles  W.  Green,  and  his 
house  was  situated  a  short  distance  easterly  of  the  house  now 
occupied  by  said  Green.  He  married,  before  1680,  Elizabeth, 
dau.  of  Samuel  Dunton,  Sen.,  a  young  lady,  of  whom  tradition 
says  "  that  her  temper  was  less  amiable  than  her  looks,"  which 
occasioned  the  remark  among  the  neighbors  "  that  Evans  had 
spoiled  his  family  for  the  sake  of  a  pretty  face."  He  d.  1710, 
and  his  wid.  d.  in  1740.  Chil. :  Nathaniel,  b.  1680,  and  per- 
haps John,  who  m.  1719,  Sarah  Sweetser. 

EVANS,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1680;  m.  1704, 
Abigail  Townsend ;  probably  succeeded  his  father  on  the  orig 


70  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

inal  homestead.  He  d.  1750,  and  his  wife  d.  the  same  year. 
Chil. :  Abigail,  b.  1705;  Sarah,  b.  1707,  and  m.  1732,  Josiah 
Convers,  of  Maiden;  Andrew,  b.  1709;  Elizabeth,  b.  1711,  and 
d.  1718;  David,  b.  1715;  Elizabeth,  b.  1719;  Jonathan,  b. 
1722  ;  Mary,  b.  1723,  and  d.  1747. 

EVANS,  Jonathan,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Abigail,  b.  1722;  m.  1744, 
Eunice1,  dau.  of  David  and  Martha  Green,  and  d.  1797.  He 
lived  on  a  farm  at  the  south'erly  end  of  Smith's  Pond,  and  his 
house  stood  near  where  is  now  the  Boston  &  Maine  Railroad 
bridge,  the  track  of  the  railroad  having  been  laid  directly 
through  the  cellar  of  said  house.  He  d.  in  1797,  aged  75. 
Chil. :  Jonathan,  b.  1746,  and  settled  in  Winchendon  ;  Thomas, 
b.  1749,  and  m.  1776,  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Ebenr  Smith; 
Jonas,  b.  1751;  Amos,  b.  1754,  and  settled  in  Marblehead ; 
Samuel,  b.  1756,  and  succeeded  to  his  father's  homestead; 
Eunice,  b.  1758,  and  m.  1788,  Timothy  Alexander,  of  Mendon ; 
Timothy,  b.  1762;  Sarah,  b.  1763;  Lois,  b.  1767;  Abigail,  b. 
1768. 

EVANS,  Andrew,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Abigail,  b.  1709 ;  settled  in 
Woburn,  and  was  grandfather  of  the  present  Capt.  Asaph 
Evans,  of  Wakefield. 

EVANS,  David,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Abigail,  b.  1715  ;  married  Hannah, 
and  lived  in  a  house  that  stood  a  little  southward  of  his  brother 
Jonathan's.  This  old  house  was  removed  about  1750  or  '60, 
to  the  corner  of  Main  and  Salem  Streets,  and  was  taken 
down  by  Lilley  Eaton  in  1804.  This  David  Evans  had  chil.  : 
Nathaniel,  b.  1751,  and  settled  in  Peterboro',  N.  H.,  and  was 
father  of  Col.  Nathaniel,  of  Stoddard,  N.  H. ;  Esther ;  David ; 
Nathan  ;  Silas,  who  settled  in  Hillsdale,  N.  Y. ;  and  Hannah, 
who  d.  in  the  almshouse  in  So.  Reading. 

EVERETT,  Francis,  m.  1675  (at  Cambridge),  Mary  Edwards,  who  was 
probably  a  dau.  of  Matthew  and  Mary  Edwards,  of  Reading. 
Chil.  :  Francis,  b.  and  d.  1676  ;  Mary,  b.  1678  ;  Francis,  b. 
1680. 

FAIRFIELD,  Walter,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Fairfield,  of  Salem,  m. 
1654,  Sarah  Skipperway  ;  the  mother  of  Walter  ml  for  her  2d 
husband  Peter  Palfrey,  of  Reading,  as  his  ad  wife.  Chil.  :  (of 
Walter)  Sarah,  b.  1655  ;  Samuel,  b.  1658,  and  d.  1660  ;  Samuel, 
b.  1660;  and  William,  b.  1662,  removed  to  Wenhajn  and  was 

1  "  This  woman  had  more  dignity  of  manners,  and  was  more  reserved  and  discreet 
in  conversation  than  her  husband." 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  71 

representative  27  years,  was  speaker  of  the  house  in  1741,  and 
d.  the  next  year,  aged  80,  leaving  six  sons,  of  whom  Rev.  John, 
of  Saco,  Har.  Coll.  1757,  was  one. 

FAIRFIELD,  Benjamin,  brother  of  Walter  aforesaid,  d.  1664. 

FELCH,  Henry,  settled  first  at  Watertown,  removed  to  Reading  in  1647, 
was  selectman,  and  d.  1699.  Chil.  :  Hannah,  b.  1650,  and  d. 
1668  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1655  '>  John,  b.  1659  ;  Samuel,  b.  and  d. 
1661  ;  Samuel,  b.  1662,  and  d.  1683  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1666  ;  Han- 
nah, b.  1672  ;  Ruth,  b.  1672.  His  wid.,  whose  name  was  Han- 
nah, d.  1717,  aged  100,  nearly. 

FELCH,  John,  son  of  Henry  and  Hannah,  b.  1659.  Chil.  by  wife  Eliza- 
beth :  Elizabeth,  b.  1686;  John,  b.  1688;  Samuel,  b.  1690; 
Hannah,  b.  1692  ;  Mary,  b.  1695  ;  Daniel,  b.  1697,  and  d. 
1703  ;  Nathaniel,  b.  1699  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1701 ;  Abigail,  b.  1703, 
and  m.  1726,  Ebenezer  Cutler,  of  Shrewsbury. 

FELCH,  Joseph,  by  wife  Mary,  had  chil. :  Mary,  b.  1689,  and  d.  1690  ; 
Mary,  b.  and  d.  1691  ;  Mary,  b.  1693  ;  Joseph,  b.  1695,  and  d. 
1710;  Samuel,  b.  and  d.  1698;  Mr.  Joseph  d.  1727,  and  his 
wid.  d.  1729. 

FELCH,  Dr.  Daniel,  m.  1702,  Deborah  Deane,  of  Charlestown.  Chil.  : 
Daniel,  b.  1703,  and  d.  1713;  Daniel,  b.  1718;  Deborah  and 
Sarah,  twins,  b.  1720. 

FELCH,  Samuel,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1690;  m.  1714,  Katha- 
rine, dau.  of  Dea.  Francis  Smith.  Chil. :  Katharine,  b.  1715  ; 
Jemima,  b.  1716. 

NOTE.  —  We  know  not  the  original  seat  of  the  Felch  family;  but  about  1765,3 
Samuel  Felch  was  living  on  or  near  the  spot  where  Adam  Hawkes  now  lives. 

FISH,  Stephen,  by  wife  Mary,  had  chil. :  John,  b.  1687  ;  Ruth,  b.  1688 ; 
Mary,  b.  1691  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1693  ;  Nicholas,  b.  1698;  Benja., 
b.  1701,  and  d.  1703.  He  appears  to  have  lived  in  what  is  now 
North  Reading. 

FISH,  John,  son  of  Stephen  and  Mary,  b.  1687;  m.  1711,  Mary  Lewis, 
and  had  chil. :  Mary,  b.  1712  ;  John,  b.  1715  ;  Stephen,  b.  1721, 
and  d.  soon;  Ruth,  b.  1724;  Experience,  b.  1730;  Jacob,  b. 

1733- 

FITCH,  Dea.  (Zachery),  settled  first  at  Lynn  ;  was  a  freeman  in  1638  ; 
removed  to  Reading  about  1644  ;  lived  in  South  Parish,  on  Sa- 
lem Street,  then  called  Fitch's  Lane  ;  owned  "  Fitch's  Hill,"  so 
called  ;  his  house  stood  near  where  D.  Swett,  Jr.,  now  lives  ; 
was  deacon  and  selectman.  His  wife's  name  was  Mary ;  had 


72  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

children  :  Zachery,  who  d.  in  1647  ;  Joseph,  Sarah,  Benjamin, 
John,  Jeremiah,  Thomas.  He  d.  1662. 

FITCH,  Joseph,  son  of  Zachery  and  Mary,  m.  1661,  Hannah  Sweetser, 
dau.  of  Seth  Sweetser,  of  Charlestown,  and  d.  1694,  aged  60. 
His  wife  d.  1673.  Chil.:  Hannah,  b.  and  d.  1662  ;  Joseph,  b. 
1663  ;  Hannah,  b.  1664  ;  Benja.,  b.  1667. 

FITCH,  Dea.  Benja.,  son  of  Zachery  and  Mary,  m.  1665,  Elizabeth 
Story,  and  she  d.  1697.  Chil. :  Benja.,  who  removed  to  Bos- 
ton, and  Zachery,  who  d.  young. 

FITCH,  Samuel,  son  of  Zachery  and  Mary;  m.,  ist,  1673,  Sarah  Low, 
and  she  d.  1679  ;  m.,  2d,  1681,  Rebecca  Merriam.  Chil. :  Sam- 
uel, b.  1674 ;  Job,  b.  1676  ;  Sarah,  b.  and  d.  1680. 

FITCH,  Joseph,  son  of  Joseph  and  Hannah,  b.  1663  >  by  wife  Anna  had 
chil.:  Joseph,  b.  1689,  and  d.  young;  Anna,  b.  1690,  and  d. 
1697;  Zachery,  b.  1693  ;  Joseph,  b.  1695,  and  was  a  captain, 
and  d.  1754.  The  father  d.  1695,  and  his  wid.  m.  1700,  John 
Dix. 

FITCH,  Stephen,  by  wife  Mary  had  Stephen,  b.  1695. 

FLINT,  George,  son  of  Thomas  and  Ann,  of  Danvers,  b.  1652 ;  d.  1720, 
aged  68.  He  is  called  on  the  records  "  Sergt.  Geo.  Flint." 
He  went  to  Reading  before  the  year  1682,  and  settled  on  land 
he  acquired  by  inheritance  from  his  father,  and  was  the  first  of 
the  name  in  the  town.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  resided  in  the 
North  Precinct,  now  the  town  of  North  Reading.  Tradition 
says  that  his  was  the  first  framed  house  in  the  Precinct,  and  that 
it  was  early  used  as  a  garrison-house,  while  there  were  hostile 
Indians  in  the  Colony.  Another  circumstance  connected  with 
this  family  is,  that  on  a  certain  Sabbath  all  the  family  were  ab- 
sent at  church  (five  miles  distant)  but  two  daughters  of  Sergt. 
Flint,  who  were  left  at  home  in  charge  of  the  house.  During 
their  absence,  one  of  the  daughters  took  a  pistol,  and,  aiming  it 
at  the  other,  said  :  "  Suppose  you  were  an  Indian,  how  easily  I 
could  shoot  you ! "  At  that  moment  the  pistol  went  off  and 
lodged  its  contents  in  the  shoulder  of  her  sister,  which  crippled 
her  for  life.  Sergt.  Flint  was  selectman  of  the  town  and  a  very 
influential  citizen.  He  m.,  ist,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Nath1  and 
Elizabh  (Hutchinson)  Putnam ;  she  d.  1697  ;  m.,  2d,  Mrs.  Su- 
sannah Gardner;  she  d.  1720.  Chil.:  Elizabeth,  b.  1685,  and 
m.  Ebenezer  Damon  ;  George,  b.  1686  ;  Ann,  b.  1687,  and  m. 
1706,  Jonathan  Parker;  Ebenezer,  b.  1689  ;  Nathaniel,  b.  1690, 
and  d.  young;  Mary,  b.  1691,  wounded,  accidentally,  as  afore- 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


73 


said;  Mercy,  b.  1692,  and  m.  Benja-.  Damon;  Nathaniel,  b. 
1694,  and  removed  1722,  to  Tolland,  Ct. ;  Hannah,  b.  1695, 
and  m.  1716,  John  Hunt;  John,  b.  1696,  and  d.  in  infancy. 

FLINT,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Capt.  Tho.  and  Mary  (Dounton)  Flint,  of 
Danvers;  was  nephew  of  Sergt.  Geo.  aforesaid;  b.  1683  ;  lived 
in  the  North  Precinct ;  m.  Gertrude,  dau.  of  Joseph  and  Bethsua 
(Folger)  Pope.  He  d.  1767.  Chil. :  Nathaniel,  b.  1708,  and 
m.  1749,  Hepzi.  Woodward  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1711,  and  m.  1737, 
Mary  Putnam,  and  settled  in  Dracut;  Nathan,  b.  1716,  and  m. 
Lydia  Hutchinson,  and  settled  in  Amherst,  N.  H. ;  Amos,  b. 
1718,  and  m.  1741,  Mary  Graves,  and  removed  to  Amherst,  N. 
H. ;  Lois  and  Eunice. 

FLINT,  Dea.  William,  son  of  Capt.  Thomas  and  Mary,  b.  1685  ;  m.  1713, 
Abigail,  dau.  of  John  and  Abigail  (Kendall)  Nichols,  and  grand- 
dau.  of  Dea.  Tho.  Kendall.     He  d.   1736.     Chil.:  William,  b. 
1714;  Abigail,  b.  1719,  and  m.  1751,  Nathl.  Bachelder;  Eliza- 
beth, b.  1722,  and  m.   1745,  Isaac  Osgood ;  James,  b.   1724; 
Joseph,  b.  1726,  and  m.   Sarah  Putnam,  and  settled  in  Salem 
Benja.,  b.  1728;  Mary,  b.  1730,  and  m.  1751,  Joshua  Osgood 
Kendall,  bap.  1733 ;  Jacob,  bap.  1734,  and  d.  young.     Lived  in 
North  Precinct,  "  on  south  side  of  the  river,  and  about  half  a 
mile  below  the  centre  of  the  village." 

FLINT,  Jonathan,  son  of  Capt.  Thomas  and  Mary,  b.  1689  ;  lived  in  the 
North  Precinct;  m.  1723,  Mary,  dau.  of  Adam  Hart.  Chil.: 
Lydia,  b.  1723,  and  m.  1752,  Hezekiah  Upton;  Jonathan,  b. 
1730. 

FLINT,  George,  son  of  Sergt.  George,  b.  1686 ;  lived  in  the  North  Pre- 
cinct, in  the  western  part,  in  a  locality  known  as  "  Pudding 
Point" ;  m.  1713,  Jerusha,  dau.  of  Joseph  and  Bethsua  (Folger) 
Pope,  and  d.  1781.  Chil.:  Susanna,  b.  1715,  and  m.  1736, 
Wm.  Flint;  Jerusha,  b.  1718;  Elizabeth,  b.  1720,  and  m.  1744, 
Joseph  Lewis ;  Abigail,  b.  1726 ;  George,  b.  1728,  and  m.  Han- 
nah Phelps,  of  Andover;  Eliezer,  b.  1731  ;  Hannah,  b.  1733, 
and  m.  1765,  Jabez  Upton. 

FLINT,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Sergt.  George,  b.  1689 ;  lived  in  North  Precinct, 
near  Andover  line  ;  d.  1778 ;  m.  1714,  Tabitha,  dau.  of  Joseph 
and  Tabitha  Burnap.  Chil.:  Tabitha,  b.  1714,  and  d.  young  ; 
Ebenezer,  b.  1716;  Eunice;  John,  b.  1720;  Tabitha,  b.  1721; 
Elizabeth,  b.  1723  ;  Jacob,  b.  1729  ;  Hepzibeth,  b.  1732;  Ann, 
b.  and  d.  1734. 

FLINT,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Gertrude,  b.  1708;  m.  1749, 
10 


74 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Hepzi.  Woodward,  and  d.  1756.     Chil.  :  Nathaniel,  b.  1750,  and 
removed  to  New  Boston,  N.  H      Zibah  and  Lois. 

FLINT,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Tabitha,  b.  1716  ;  lived  on  the 
homestead  with  his  father  in  North  Precinct ;  was  in  the  old 
French  war,  and  was  shot  by  an  Indian  in  N.  H. ;  m.  1738, 
Abigail,  dau.  of  Henry  and  Sarah  Sawyer.  Chil. :  Abigail,  b. 
1739,  and  d.  1759;  Daniel,  b.  •  1740,  and  slain  in  the  war;  . 
Ebenezer,  b.  1742  ;  Abigail,  b.  1744;  Benja.,  b.  1746. 

FLINT,  Capt.  John,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Tabitha,  b.  1720,  and  d.  1802  ; 
lived  in  North  Precinct  on  the  homestead  of  his  grandfather, 
Sergt.  Geo.  Flint.  The  place  is  now  or  was  lately  owned  by  J. 
Gowing.  He  is  represented  as  a  man  of  "  stern  aspect  and  of 
temper  inflexible  to  a  fault."  M.,  ist,  1744,  Joanna  Farnham  ; 
she  d.  1753  ;  m.,  2d,  Tamar  Hunt,  who  d.  1802.  Chil. :  John, 
b.  1745  ;  settled  in  Lyme,  N.  H.  ;  was  a  Lieut,  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution;  Joanna,  b.  1746,  and  m.  1767,  Thomas  Eaton- 
James,  b.  1749,  and  settled  in  Bridgton,  Me.;  Levi,  b.  1753,  and 
succeeded  to  his  father's  homestead;  Ebenezer,  b.  1761,  and 
settled  in  Tewksbury  and  Charlestown ;  Hepzi.,  b.  1764,  and 
m.  1783,  Joshua  Damon. 

FLINT,  Capt.  William,  son  of  Dea.  Wm.  and  Abigail,  b.  1714,  succeeded 
to  the  homestead;  m.  1736,  Susanna,  eldest  dau.  of  Geo.  and 
Jerusha  (Pope)  Flint,  and  d.  1790.  Chil.  :  William,  bap.  1737  ; 
Jerusha,  b.  1739,  and  m.  1761,  Nath.  Sawyer;  Susanna,  b. 
1741  ;  Lucy,  b.  1743,  and  d.  1749  ;  Naomi,  b.  1745,  and  d. 
1749  ;  Hezekiah,  b.  1748,  and  removed  to  Ohio  ;  Eli,  b.  1751  ; 
Aaron,  b.  1754. 

FLINT,  James,  son  of  Dea.  Wm.  and  Abigail,  b.  1724,  and  d.  1802  ;  was 
a  gunsmith  and  farmer  ;  lived  in  the  North  Precinct ;  m.,  ist, 
1747,  Hannah,  dau.  of  Rev.  Daniel  Putnam  ;  m.,  2d,  1765,  Mary 
Hart.  Chil.  :  James,  b.  1754,  and  d.  unm.  ;  Kendall,  b.  1756, 
and  d.  young;  Hannah,  b.  1759,  and  m.  1786,  Benja.  Buxton  ; 
Daniel,  b.  1761  ;  Adam,  b.  1766  ;  Jacob,  bap.  1768  ;  Elizabeth, 
bap.  1782,  and  m.  1808,  Charles  Eaton  ;  Mary,  bap.  1773,  ar)d 
d.  unm.  ;  James,  b.  1779  ;  Charlotte,  b.  1784,  and  m.  1805, 
Tho.  Whittredge,  — 

"  He  lost  his  life  in  the  amusement  of  fowling  and  fishing,  of  which  he  'was 
extremely  fond  through  life.  On  the  day  of  his  death  he  entered  a  wood  in  quest  of 
game  ;  and  not  being  successful  with  his  gun,  he  took  his  angling  lines,  with  a  small 
boat,  and  went  out  on  Swan's  Pond  for  the  purpose  of  fishing.  Making  a  misstep,  as 
is  supposed,  he  fell  overboard  and  was  drowned."  "  In  him,"  it  is  said,  "  the  Chris- 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


75 


tian  religion  lost  a  uniform  friend  and  supporter,  the  community  in  which  he  lived  an 
ingenious  artist  and  useful  member,  and  his  country  a  true  patriot." 

FLINT,  Benja.,  son  of  Dea.  William  and  Abigail,  b.  1728  ;  m.,  ist,  1755, 
Peggy  Sawyer,  and  m.,  2d,  1762,  Rachel  Upton  ;  lived  in  the 
North  Precinct ;  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  French  war,  and,  with 
his  brother  Kendall,  was  in  the  expedition  to  Crown  Point,  in 
1755.  Chil.  :  Benja.,  b.  1757,  and  settled  in  Swanzey,  N.  H.  ; 
Wm.,  bap.  1763,  and  m.,  ist,  1785,  Hannah  Eaton  ;  m.,  2d, 
Edith  Herrick;  and  m.,  3d,  1804,  wid.  Sarah  (Graves)  Abbott ; 
Peggy,  b.  1760  ;  Betty,  who  m.  John  Brooks  ;  Rachel,  b. '1765, 
and  m.  1786,  Asa  Hart ;  Anna,  b.  1767,  and  m.  Nathaniel  Har- 
dy ;  Ezekiel;  Kendall,  b.  1771  ;  Simeon,  b.  1775;  Lucy,  b. 
1773,  and  m.  Edw.  Baxter;  James,  b.  1777  ;  Abigail,  b.  1779, 
and  d.  unm. 

FLINT,  William,  son  of  Capt.  Wm.  and  Susanna,  b.  1737  ;  m.,  ist, 
1766,  Martha  Kimball ;  m.,  zd,  1808,  Mrs.  Mary  C.  Gould; 
succeeded  to  the  homestead;  had  chil.:  William,  bap.  1769; 
Patty,  bap.  1770,  and  m.  John  Green;  Eli,  bap.  1773;  Peter, 
bap.  1775;  Tamar;  Timothy,  bap.  1780;  Hepzi.,  bap.  1782, 
and  m.  David  Upton;  Micah,  bap.  1784,  and  d.  1803;  Elias, 
bap.  1786. 

FLINT,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Abigail,  b.  1742  ;  m.  1764, 
Asenath  Holt;  m.,  2d,  1789,  wid.  Mary  Damon  Taylor;  had  a 
large  family  of  children,  and  removed,  1802,  to  Wilton,  N.  H., 
where  he  d.  1829. 

FLINT,  Benja.,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Abigail,  b.  1746;  lived  on  the 
homestead  of  his  grandfather,  Ebenezer ;  "  was  noted  for  his 
great  firmness  of  purpose  and  determination  of  will,  and  was  much 
respected  for  his  blameless  life  and  personal  worth;"  m.  1768, 
Olive,  dau.  of  Rev.  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  Richardson,  of  Woburn, 
and  d.  1837.  Chil.:  Benja.,  b.  1769,  and  settled  in  Norway, 
Me. ;  Olive,  b.  1771 ;  Betsey,  b.  1773,  and  m.  1796,  Wm.  Pratt ; 
Sarah,  b.  1775;  Thurza,  b.  1778;  Rutha,  b.  1780;  Addison,  b. 
1782;  is  a  deacon;  m.,  ist,  1804,  Sally  Upton;  m.,  2d,  1833, 
wid.  Mary  E.  (Foster)  Burrill ;  Isaac,  b.  1784  ;  m.  1807,  Lydia 
Frost ;  settled  in  Greenwood,  Me. ;  was  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
representative,  and  d.  1858. 

FLINT,  Col.  Daniel,  son  of  James  and  Rebecca,  b.  1761;  lived  in  the 
North  Precinct;  m.  1783,  Priscilla,  dau.  of  William  and  Priscilla 
Sawyer.  Col.  Flint  was  a  farmer ;  "  possessed,  in  an  uncommon 
degree,  a  strong  and  vigorous  intellect,  with  indomitable  perse- 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


DEA.    ADDISON     FLINT. 

verance  and  great  native  force  of  character.  With  very  limited 
advantages  of  acquiring  an  education  in  youth,  he  nevertheless, 
by  diligent  self-culture,  overcame  this  deficiency,  so  that  he  not 
only  managed  his  own  affairs  with  system  and  accuracy,  but  in 
the  various  offices  of  justice  of  the  peace,  selectman,  etc.,  faith- 
fully and  acceptably  transacted  a  large  and  intricate  amount  of 
public  business,  oftentimes  requiring  legal  forms  and  knowledge. 
He  represented  his  native  town  several  years  in  the  State  Legis- 
lature, participated  freely  in  the  debates,  and  guarded  well  the 
interests  of  his  constituents.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Consti- 
tutional Convention  of  1820,  where  he  was  active,  vigilant,  and 
energetic,  and  rendered  good  service  by  his  acute  and  discerning 
intellect  In  his  social  relations  he  was  genial,  courteous,  and 
companionable,  of  an  eminently  pacific  disposition.  JChil.  : 
Priscilla,  b.  1784,  and  m.  1801,  James  Nelson,  and  afterwards, 
in  1807,  m.  Moses  Abbott,  and  d.  1811 ;  Margaret,  b.  1786,  and 
m.  1813,  Rev.  J.  Bradford  ;  Hannah  Putnam,  b.  1789,  and  m. 
1811,  Samuel  Train,  and  d.  1851 ;  Ann,  b.  1791,  and  m.  .1812, 
Edward  Tucker,  and  d.  1814  ;  Mary,  b.  1793,  and  m.  1832, 
David  M.  Russell ;  Daniel,  Major,  b.  1795,  and  m.  1821,  Sarah, 
eldest  dau.  of  Rev.  Dr.  Peter  and  Sarah  (Stone)  Eaton,  of 
Boxford,  and  granddaughter  of  Rev.  Eliab  Stone,  of  North 
Reading. 


Of    THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


77 


MAJOR     DANIEL     FLINT. 


FLINT,  Adam,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Hart),  b.  1766;  he  m.  1792, 
Mary,  dau.  of  Joshua  and  Mary  Osgood  ;  he  d.  1808,  by  drown- 
ing in  Martin's  pond,  in  North  Reading. 

"  He  was,  in  common  with  his  father  and  many  of  his  ancestors,  extremely  fond  of 
fishing  and  gunning,  and  it  was  in  pursuit  of  the  former  amusement  that  he  lost  his 
life.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  his  father,  whom  he  succeeded  on  the  homestead, 
lost  his  life  in  another  pond  in  the  same  town  under  similar  circumstances.  He  is 
remembered  by  many  as  a  warm-hearted  and  excellent  man,  a  kind  neighbor,  and 
upright  in  all  his  dealings." 

Chil. :  Adam,  Mary,  Abigail,  Charlotte,  who  d.  young,  and  Silvia, 
Julia  Ann,  b.  1808;  m.  Joseph  French,  and  d.  1841. 
FLINT,  Rev.  Jacob,  son  of  James  and  Mary,  b.  1768;  graduated  at 
Har.  Coll.  in  1794;  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Eliab  Stone, 
pastor  of  his  native  parish ;  ordained  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Cohasset,  Mass.,  in  1798,  where  he  continued  until  his  death,  in 
1835.  "As  a  husband,  father,  brother,  and  friend,  he  was  all 
that  could  be  desired.  Beloved  in  social  life  beyond  most  men, 
his  people  blessed  him  when  he  entered  their  doors.  He  was  a 
good  patriot,  a  well-read  theologian,  a  faithful  minister,  and  a 
pious  Christian."  M.,  ist,  Silvia  Barker,  who  d.  1816;  m.,  2d, 
wid.  Nickerson.  Chil. :  Joshua  Barker,  physician,  settled  first 
in  Boston,  and  then  in  Louisville,  Ky.  ;  Jacob ;  Cranch ;  and 
Mary  Elizabeth. 


78  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

FLINT,  Rev.  James,  D.  D.,  son  of  James  and  Mary,  b.  1779  ;  grad.  at 
Har.  Coll.  in  1802;  m.  1805,  Lydia  Harriet  Deblois ;  was  or- 
dained pastor  of  the  church  in  East  Bridge  water,  Mass.,  in  1806. 
This  connection  was  dissolved  at  his  own  request  in  1821  ;  in- 
stalled pastor  of  the  East  Society  in  Salem,  1821 ;  d.  in  Salem, 
1855.  He  was  a  man  of  the  most  extensive  and  varied  culture. 
As  a  scholar,  a  preacher,  a  poet,  and  a  critic,  he  was  eminent 
and  distinguished.  Some  of  his  hymns  and  occasional  odes 
will  long  be  remembered  and  used  on  account  of  their  singular 
beauty  and  felicity  of  expression.  He  delivered  an  Historical 
Address  (which  will  be  found  in  this  history)  at  the  bi-centen- 
nial  celebration  of  the  incorporation  of  Reading,  in  1844.  He 
had  nine  children. 

FLINT,  Peter,  son  of  Wm.  and  Martha,  bap.  1775  ;  m.  1802,  Mary, 
dau.  of  Tho.  and  Elizabeth  Burns,  of  Milford,  N.  H.,  and  d. 
1842.  His  wid.  d.  1866.  Chil. :  Peter  Greele,  b.  1804,  and  m. 
1829,  Hannah  A.  H  ay  ward ;  Charles  Frederic,1  b.  1808,  and  m. 


CHARLES     F.     FLINT. 

1  Charles  F.  Flint  died  at  North  Reading,  in  1868,  at  the  age  of  60  years.  He 
had  been  all  his  life  a  most  unwearied  worker,  and  is  reported  to  have  accumulated  a 
large  property.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  he  was  President  of  the  Salem  and  Lowell 
Railroad  Company,  and  was  also  one  of  the  board  of  directors  of  Wamesit  Bank  of 
Lowell.  He  was  known  to  every  one  in  North  Reading  and  vicinity,  where  for  years 
he  had  been  engaged  in  about  every  important  enterprise  that  had  been  started.  Mr 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


79 


1840,  Harriet  N.  Evans;  Sylvester  G.,  b.  1809,  and  d.  1814; 
Mary  B.,  b.  1810,  and  m.  1831,  Wm.  Wakefield,  and  d.  1842; 
Elizabeth  Jane,  b.  1816,  and  m.  1834,  Andrew  Upton  ;  Timothy  ; 
Gilman,  b.  1819,  and  d.  1858  ;  Martha,  b.  1822,  and  d.  1845. 
FLINT,  Rev.  Timothy,  son  of  Wm.  and  Martha,  bap.  1780;  grad.  at 
Har.  Coll.  in  1800;  m.  1802,  to  Abigail  Hubbard,  of  Marble- 
head  ;  ordained  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Lunen- 
burg,  in  1802  ;  dismissed  1814,  at  his  own  request,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  emigrating  to  the  West. 

"  He  was  well  known  in  America  and  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  as  the  au- 
thor of  various  works,  that  have  given  him  a  rank  among  the  most  distinguished  wri- 
ters of  the  country.  Of  a  genius  highly  imaginative  and  poetical,  he  united  with  a 
vigorous  intellect  and  discriminating  judgment,  a  quick  sensibility  and  warm  affec- 
tions, a  vivid  perception  and  enjoyment,  a  deep-felt  and  ever-grateful  recognition  of 
the  author  of  the  beautiful,  grand,  and  lovely  in  nature,  of  the  true  and  good,  the  ele- 
vated and  pure,  the  brilliant  and  divinely  gifted  in  human  endowment  and  character, 
and  possessed  a  rare  felicity  and  power  of  embodying  in  glowing  and  appropriate 
language  his  impressions  of  the  outward,  and  what  he  conceived  and  felt  of  the  in- 
ward and  spiritual  world." 

He  d.  at  the  residence  of  his  brother  in  Reading,  in  1840. 
He  had  five  children. 

FOSTER,  Samuel,  was  probably  the  son  of  Andrew  or  Abraham  Foster, 
of  Andover,  and  a  descendant  of  Abraham,  of  Ipswich,  and  of 
Reginald  Foster,  who  came  from  Exeter,  in  England,  in  1638. 
He  m.  1701,  Sarah,  dau.  of  Abraham  and  Sarah  Roberts,  and 
d.  1762,  "at  an  advanced  age,"  says  his  will,  made  during  the 
month  in  which  he  died.  He  lived  in  the  westerly  part  of  Read- 
ing, near  Wilmington  line,  and  owned  much  land.  Chil. :  Abra- 
ham, b.  1703;  Samuel;  Ebenezer,  who  m.  1731,  Deborah 
Roberts,  of  Wilmington  ;  Jonathan,  b.  1712  ;  Benja.,  b.  1715  ; 
Sarah,  who  m.  in  1726,  Benja.  Parker ;  Elizabeth,  who  m.  1733, 
Jona.  Boutwell. 

FOSTER,  Abraham,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah,  b.  about  1702  ;  m.  1733, 
Susanna,  dau.  of  Thos.  and  Susanna  Hartshorne  ;  he  d.  1753, 

Flint  stood  high  in  the  estimation  of  those  associated  with  him  in  business,  and  his 
death  has  caused  a  void  in  his  native  town  which  must  long  remain  unfilled.  We 
learn  that  it  is  probable  the  origin  of  his  sudden  attack  of  illness  was  in  consequence 
of  a  fall  in  Salem,  but  a  few  days  before.  He  slipped  upon  the  sidewalk,  and  fell  in 
such  a  manner  that  his  head  struck  the  walk,  rendering  him  for  a  moment  almost 
unconscious,  or  so  nearly  so  that  he  was  helped  to  his  feet  by  a  stranger.  He  soon 
after  complained  of  the  severity  of  his  injuries,  and  physicians  are  of  the  opinion 
that  congestion  of  the  brain  (which  was  the  cause  of  his  death)  was  the  result 


8o  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

aged  48, ;  lived  in  northwest  part  of  West  Parish.  Chil. :  Su- 
sanna, b.  1734;  Abraham,  b.  1735,  and  m.  1758,  Rebecca 
Goodwin;  Daniel,  b.  1740;  Sarah,  b.  1743;  David,  b.  1745; 
Edmund,  b.  1752;  grad.  at  Yale  Coll.  in  1784;  became  the 
minister  of  Littleton,  Mass.,  and  d.  1826  ;  was  in  the  battle  of 
Lexington,  and  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  in 
1820  ;  Elizabeth. 

FOSTER,  Jonathan,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah,  b.  1712  ;  m.  1733,  Doro- 
thy, dau.  of  John  and  Ann  Merrow,  and  lived  in  West  Parish, 
near  Ebenezer  Emerson  place.  Chil. :  Ann,  b.  1735,  and  m. 
1758,  John  Goodwin  ;  Jonathan,  b.  1737,  and  m.  1761,  Sarah 
Townsend  ;  Dolly,  b.  1738,  and  m.  1760,  Raham  Bancroft,  of 
Worcester;  Sarah,  b.  and  d.  1742  ;  Sarah,  b.  1744;  Samuel, 
who  m.  1767,  Judith  Poster  (his  cousin). 

FOSTER,  Benja,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah,  b.  1715  ;  by  wife  Elizabeth 
had  chil.  :  James,  b.  1742,  and  m.  1765,  Elizabeth  Flint;  set- 
tled in  Danvers  ;  was  father  of  the  late  Aaron  Foster,  of  Dan- 
vers,  and  grandfather  of  Capt.  Aaron  Foster,  of  Wakefield. 

Elizabeth,  b.  1744,  and  m. Johnson  ;  Judith,  b.  1746,  and 

m.  Samuel  Foster,  Jr.  (her  cousin)  ;  William,  b.  1749;  Samuel, 
grandfather  of  the  late  Caleb  Foster,  of  South  Reading  ;  Benja., 
m.  1770,  Jemima  Eaton;  Mehitabel,  m.  1774,  Arnos  Taylor; 
Martha,  m.  1778,  John  Gould,  of  Wilmington. 

FRANCIS,  Stephen,  had  a  son  John,  b.  1657. 

GOODWIN,  Nathaniel,  m.,  ist,  1665,  Mary  Lunt ;  m.,  2d,  1776,  Susanna  ; 
was  called  "  Ensign  Goodwin  "  ;  lived  on  the  side  of  the  pond  ; 
d.  1693  ;  was  many  years  a  selectman,  and  several  times  town 
clerk  and  representative.  Chil.  :  Nathaniel,  b.  and  d.  1667  ; 
Nathaniel,  b.  1669,  and  d.  young;  Mary,  b.  1671  ;  Elizabeth,  b. 
1673  ;  John,  b.  about  1676  ;  Nathaniel,  b.  1678  ;  Hannah,  b. 
1690  ;  and  perhaps  Kendall,  Timothy,  Jeremiah,  and  Susanna. 

GOODWIN,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Ensign  Nathaniel  and  Mary,  b.  1678  ;  m., 
ist,  Susanna,  and  had  Abiel,  b.  1695  ;  m.,  2d,  Mary,  and  had 
Sarah,  b.  1702,  and  d.  1703  ;  Nathaniel,  b.  1706  ;  John,  b.  1709  ; 
Sarah,  b.  1711,  and  Thomas. 

GOODWIN,  Dea.  John,  son  of  Ensign  Nathaniel  and  Mary,  b.  about 
1676  ;  m.  1696,  Tabitha  Pearson,  of  Lynnfield  ;  was  selectman, 
town  clerk,  and  deacon,  and  sustained  a  high  character  for 
ability  and  virtue.  The  venerable  mansion,  taken  down  a  few 
years  since  by  James  Eustis,  that  stood  on  the  site  of  Mr.  Eustis's 
present  dwelling,  was  erected  by  Dea.  Goodwin.  He  d.  1757, 


OF  THE    TOWX  OF  READING.  8 1 

aged  81.     Chil. :  Tabitha,  b.  1697,  and  m.  1724,  Thomas  Wiley ; 

Mary,  b.  1700;  Susanna,  b.  1704,  and  d.  soon  ;   Elizabeth,  b. 

1706,  and  m.  1733,  John  Weston  ;  John,  b.  1709;  Susanna,  b. 

1712,  and  m.  1735,  Timo.  Bryant;  James,  b.  1714. 
GOODWIN,  Timothy,  probably  son  of  Ensign  Nathaniel ;  m.  1708,  Eliza- 
beth, dau.  of  Nathaniel   Cowdrey.     Chil.:   Timothy,  b.   1710; 

Hannah,  b.  1715  ;  Timothy,  b.  1718;  Johna.,  b.  1720;  Hepzi., 

b    1722;  Samuel,  b    1725. 
GOODWIN,  Capt.  John,  son  of  Dea.  John  and  Tabitha,  b.  1709  ;  m.,  ist, 

1738,  Mary,  dau.  of  Kendall  Parker,  Esq. ;  m.,  2d,  1776,  Sarah, 

widow  of  Capt.  Cornelius  Wolton.     Chil.  :  John,  b.  1739  ;  Mary, 

b.  1741,  and  m.  1764,  James  Nichols;  Samuel,  b.  1744. 
GOULD,  John,  by  wife  Abigail,  who  d.  1687,  had  chil.  :  John,  b.  1671  ; 

Abigail,  b.  1672;  Daniel,  b.    i6fci,  and  by  wife  Martha  had: 

Samuel,  b.  1691  ;  Abraham,  b.  1693,  the  father  of  Capt.  Abrra, 

whose  dau.  m.  Dr.  Hart;  Isaac,  b.  1696.     He  d.  1712,  aged  69. 
GOULD,  Daniel,  perhaps  brother  of  the  preceding,  d.   1697,  aged  43. 

By  wife  Dorcas  had:  Dorcas,  b.  1685  ;  Daniel,  b.  1687,  and  d. 

1689  ;  Daniel,  b.  1689  ;  David,  b.  1691 ;  Joanna,  b.  1694. 
GOULD,  Jeremiah,  m.    1701,   Mary  Brown,  and   had   chil.:   Mary,  b. 

1703;  Abigail,  b.  1706;  Jeremiah,  b.   1709;  Sarah,  b.  1710; 

John,  b.  1714. 
GOULD,  Daniel,  son  of  Daniel  and  Dorcas,  b.  1689;  m.  1710,  Susanna 

Pearson,  and  had  chil.:  Susanna,  b.   1714;  Dorcas,  b.  1716; 

Sarah,  b.  1719  ;  Tabitha,  b.  1721  ;  Daniel,  b.  1724,  the  father  of 

Daniel,  Esq. 

NOTE.  —  The  foregoing  Gould  settlers  lived  on  lands  that  were  situated  partly  in 
Reading  and  partly  in  Stoneham,  near  the  town  line,  on  the  farms  of  the  late  Charles 
Gould,  Daniel  Gould,  Esq.,  and  Capt.  Abraham  Gould. 

GOULD,  William,  came  from  Ipswich;  bap.  1726;  was  son  of  "Major 
Gold,"  perhaps  of  Major  Joseph  Gould,  who  was  a  descendant 
of  Zacheus,  the  very  earliest  settler  of  that  part  of  Ipswich  and 
Salem,  that  was  incorporated  as  the  town  of  Topsfield,  in  1650. 
Said  Zacheus  Gould  is  supposed  to  have  come  to  America  in 
1638,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  the  western  part  of  Topsfield, 
in  1643.  A  descendant  of  old  Zacheus  who  has  written  a  his- 
tory of  the  Gould  family  of  Topsfield,  speaking  of  one  of  the 
early  members  of  the  family,  says  :  "  I  know  little  of  him,  except 
that  he  was  a  man  very  much  set  in  his  way ;  which,"  he  adds, 
"is  peculiarly  characteristic  of  the  family."  He  says  further, 


82  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

"  they  are  good,  peaceable,  and  industrious  members  of  society, 
warm  and  steady  friends,  and  kind  and  benevolent  to  all.  They 
content  themselves  with  their  own  private  affairs,  highly  esteem- 
ing their  own  ways,  customs,  and  habits,  without  looking  much 
beyond  themselves  to  be  benefited  by  the  improvements  or  vain 
philosophy  of  others.  Honesty,  justice,  and  truth  are  the  char- 
acteristics of  the  family."  William  Gould  came  to  Reading  be- 
fore 1749;  m.,  ist,  1749,  Lydia,  dau.  of  Abraham  and  Elizabeth 
Smith;  m.,  zd,  1753,  Hepzibeth,  dau.  of  James  and  Abigail 
Smith.  Chil. :  Wm.,  b.  1750;  Wm.,  b.  1754;  Hepzibeth,  b. 
1756,  and  m.  1782,  Samuel  Foster,  of  Boston;  John,  b.  1758, 
and  m.  1785,  Mary,  dau.  of  Phineas  Sweetser;  James,  b.  1760, 
and  m.  1786,  Rebecca,  dau.  of  Dr.  John  Aborn,  of  Lynnfield  ; 
Nathaniel,  b.  1763;  Samuel,  b.  1767.  He  lived  in  the  house 
recently  occupied  by  his  son,  the  late  John  Gould,  Esq.,  and 
now  taken  down. 

GREEN,  Henry,  first  minister  of  Reading,  was  an  inhabitant  of  Water- 
town  in  1642,  a  freeman  in  1640.  Owned  72  acres  of  land  in 
Watertown,  which  had  been  granted  him  by  the  town.  Gov. 
Winthrop  says,  that  "in  1642  or  3,  divers  families  going  from 
Watertown  to  plant  Martha's  Vineyard,  procured  a  young  man, 
one  Mr.  Green,  a  scholar,  to  be  their  minister,  in  hopes  soon  to 
gather  a  church  there.  He  went  not"  This  was  Rev.  Henry. 
Green,  who  was  ordained  at  Reading  in  1645  ;  he  m.  Frances, 
dau.  of  Dea.  Simon  and  Joanna  Stone,  of  Watertown.  Frances 
came  over  to  America  in  1635,  at  the  age  of  16,  so  that  at  her 
husband's  ordination  in  1645  sne  was  2&  years  old,  and  we  may- 
suppose  that  Rev.  Henry  was  then  about  30.  He  died  Oct.  n, 
1648.  Johnson,  the  quaint  historian,  says  of  him  :  "  He  was  a 
man  of  toil,  faithful  and  devoted  to  his  work,  and  early  fell." 
He  had  chil.  :  Joanna  and  Nathaniel,  and  perhaps  others. 
Bond,  the  historian  of  Watertown,  says  :  — 

"  It  appears  that  Rev.  Henry  Green  left  only  two  children  that  lived  to  maturity, 
and  that  his  widow,  Frances,  married  a  second  husband  and  had  other  children.  It 
has  not  been  ascertained  what  became  of  his  daughter,  Joanna,  or  whether  his  son, 
Nathaniel,  had  wife  or  family.  The  son  resided  in  Watertown  as  early  as  1694,  when 
he  subscribed  towards  repairing  the  meeting-house.  After  this,  he  appears  to  have 
become  indigent  or  helpless.  In  1709,  Mary  Stone,  his  uncle  Simon  Stone's  widow, 
presented  a  complaint  to  the  selectmen,  that  Nathaniel  Green,  an  inhabitant  of  Water- 
town,  is  destitute  of  a  place  of  abode.  Same  date,  the  selectmen  agreed  to  meet  to 
enquire  what  estate  of  Green  may  be  found  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  Mary  Stone. 
Afterward,  the  selectmen  '  desired  Jabez  Beers  to  take  Nathaniel  Green  as  far  as  he 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  83 

hath  occasion,  and  the  rest  of  the  time  to  spend  with  Samuel  Spurr  at  the  shoe- 
maker's trade.'  In  17(0,  the  selectmen  'ordered  the  treasurer  to  receive  of  the  heirs 
of  Simon  Stone,  deceased,  payment  on  Green's  estate;  and  in  1711,  Simon  Tainter 
agreed  to  keep  Nathaniel  Green  four  years.'  So  much  for  the  family  of  Rev.  Henry 
Green." 

NOTE.    The  following  Green  families  appear  to  be  a  distinct  branch  from  that  of 
Rev.  Henry. 

GREEN,  Thomas,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Cook)  Green,  and  grandson 
of  Thomas  Green,  who 'settled  in  Maiden  as  early  as  1651. 
Thomas  (Jr.)  was  b.  1669  ;  m.  1698,  Hannah,  dau.  of  John 
and  Hannah  (Green)  Vinton,  of  Woburn ;  lived  in  that  part  of 
Maiden  that  was  annexed  to  Reading  in  1729,  now  known  as 
the  village  of  Greenwood.  He  occupied  the  place  formerly 
owned  by  the  late  Reuben  Green.  He  d.  1725,  and  his  wid.  m. 
John  Pool  of  Reading.  Chil. :  Hannah,  b.  1699,  and  m.  Eben- 
ezer  Parker;  Thomas,  b.  1702;  Joshua,  b.  1708;  Jonathan,  b. 
1714. 

GREEN,  William,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  of  Maiden,  b.  1674;  m. 
1707,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Edward  Farmer,  of  Billerica.  He  lived 
on  the  place  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Chas.  W.  Green,  and 
had  chil.:  Elizabeth,  b.  1708;  Eunice,  b.  1709  ;  Wm.,  b.  1711, 
and  d.  1713  ;  Wm.,  b.  1715  ;  Nathan,  b.  1719. 

GREEN,  Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Green)  Green,  b.  1702, 
and  m.  about  1726  or  '27,  Mary,  dau.  of  Dea.  Daniel  Green,  of 
Stoneham.  He  succeeded  to  the  homestead  of  his  father.  He 
owned  land  in  Reading,  Maiden,  Stoneham,  and  elsewhere.  He 
d.  1750,  aged  51.  Chil.:  Mary,  b.  1728,  and  m.  1751,  Ebenezer 
Smith;  Thomas,  b.  1731;  Daniel,  b.  1733;  Hannah,  b.  1735, 
and  m.  1756,  Jacob  Swain;  Sarah,  b.  1738,  and  d.  young; 
Amos,  b.  1740,  "a  joiner,"  went  to  Amherst,  N.  H. ;  Nathan, 
b.  1743,  and  d.  young;  Sarah,  b.  1745,  and  m.  1768,  Isaac 
Smith,  3d  ;  Nathan,  b.  1748 ;  lived  in  N.  H. ;  was  a  miser  and 
d.  unm. 

GREEN,  Wm.,  son  of  Wm.  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1715  ;  m.  1736,  Susanna, 
dau.  of  Lieut.  Daniel  Gould,  of  Stoneham  ;  succeeded  probably 
to  the  homestead  of  his  father.  He  d.  1772,  aged  58.  Chil.  : 
Wm.,  b.  1737,  and  m.,  ist,  1760,  Elizh  Townsend;  and  m.,  2d, 
1800,  Joanna  Hadley,  and  was  father  of  the  late  Caleb  Green  ; 

Susanna,  b.  1739,  and  d.  young  ;  Susanna,  b.  1743,  and  m.  

Townsend  ;  Aaron,  b.  1754,  and  m.,  ist,  —    -  Hay,  and  after  m., 
2d,  Sarah  Green,  and  was  the  grandfather  of  Chas.  W.  Green,  Esq. 


84  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

GREEN,  David,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Cook)  Green,  b.  1685  ;  lived 
on  the  place  formerly  occupied  by  Charles  Green,  and  probably 
owned  also  the  farm  now  owned  by  heirs  of  Hon.  P.  H.  Sweet- 
ser.  He  d.  1754,  aged  70.  M.,  ist,  1713,  Martha,  dau.  of 
John  and  Martha  Pratt ;  m.,  2d,  Hannah,,  dau.  of  John  and 
Sarah  Marble.  Chil.  :  David,  b.  1714;  Martha,  b.  1716,  and 
m.  1732,  Joseph  Upham;  Elizabeth,  b.  1718,  and  m.  1741,  Jo- 
tham  Walton  ;  Lois,  m.  1741,  Amos  Upham,  of  Maiden  ;  Eunice, 
b.  1726,  and  m.  1744,  Jonathan  Evans. 

GREEN,  Col.   David,  son  of  David  and   Martha,  b.    1714;    lived  in 

Greenwood,  near  Stoneham  line  ;  m.  Ruth ;  d.  1781,  aged 

67.     He  was   captain,  colonel,  selectman,  and  justice   of  the 
peace.     Chil.:  David,  b.   1737,  and  d.   1738;  David,  b.   1741, 

and  removed  to  Amherst,  N.  H. ;  Ruth,  b.   1744,  and  m. 

Upham,  and  removed  to   Amherst,  N.  H. ;  John,  b.  1747,  and 

m.  1771,  Abigail,  dau.  of  David  Gerry;  Isaac,  b. ;  m.,  ist, 

Lois,  and  2d,  Mary . 

GREEN,  Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Green)  Green,  b.  1731  ; 
m.  1754,  Lydia,  dau.  of  Jeremiah  and  Sarah  Swain.  He  lived 
on  the  site  now  occupied  by  Wakefield's  Rattan  Factory  build- 
ings ;  was  a  miller;  was  called  Capt.  Green.  He  d.  1810, 
aged  79.  Chil.  :  Lydia,  b.  1755,  and  m.  1775,  Josiah  Bryant; 
Mary,  b.  1757,  and  m.  1783,  Wm.  Deadman  ;  Thomas,  b.  1759, 
and  m.  1781,  Mehitabel  Pratt,  and  removed  to  Maine;  Jere- 
miah, b.  1762,  and  m.  1782,  Martha  Green,  of  Stoneham,  and 
succeeded  his  father  on  the  homestead,  and  was  carpenter  and 
miller.  He  d.  1840.  Hannah,  b.  1764,  and  d.  unm. ;  Judith, 
b.  1769,  and  m.  1791,  John  White. 

GREEN,  Daniel,  brother  of  the  preceding,  b.  1733 ;  m.,  ist,  1760,  Ruth 
Oakes,  of  Medford;  m.,  2d,  1801,  Wid.  Joanna  (Oakes)  Gerry, 
who  was  niece  to  his  first  wife.  He  lived  in  Stoneham  till  1785, 
where  he  was  selectman,  town  treasurer,  and  deacon.  About  1 785 
he  removed  to  Reading,  on  to  the  place  recently  occupied  by 
Charles  Green  ;  was  selectman  in  Reading  one  year.  Chil. : 
Daniel  (Capt.),  b.  1761,  and  m.,  ist,  1783,  Sarah  Evans ;  m.,  2d, 
1807,  Mary  Evans  ;  m.,  3d,  1838,  Elizh  (Evans)  Ash  (all  sisters)  ; 
Nathan,  b.  1765;  m.  Betsey  Orr,  of  Charlestown ;  Reuben,  b. 
1767;  m.  Huldah  Newhall,  of  Lynnfield  ;  Ruth,  b.  1769,  and 
became  in  1814,  the  2d  wife  of  Thomas  Green,  of  Stoneham, 
who  was  father  by  his  first  wife  (Anna  Knight),  of  Rev.  Samuel 
Green,  Har.  Coll.  1816,  and  pastor  of  F.ssex  St.  Church,  Boston, 


,  jv     y»y 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  RFADING.  85 

and  of  Rev.  David  Green,  Yale  Coll.  1821 ;  Abigail,  b.  1771, 
and  m.  1792,  Nathan  Simonds,  of  Stoneham  ;  Rhoda,  m.  Thad- 
deus  Perry;  Mary,  m.  about  1800,  Samuel  Larrabee ;  Charles, 
b.  1785,  and  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Aaron  Green  ;  and  by  the  2d  wife  : 
Isaac,  b.  about  1802,  and  m. Kinerson. 

GROVER,  Thomas ;  m.  1696,  Bethiah,  dau.  of  Thomas  Burnap.  Chil. : 
Ebenezer,  b.  1698;  Mary,  b.  1700. 

GROVER,  Matthew,  by  wife  Naomi  had  chil. :  Naomi,  b.  1706  ;  Joseph, 
b.  1708;  John,  b.  1710;  Leonard,  b.  1714;  Edmund,  b.  1716. 

HARNDEN,  Richard  ;  m.  1666,  Mary .  He  d.  1693.  Chil. :  John, 

b.  1668;  Benj.,  b.  1671;  Ebenezer,  b.  1674;  William;  Eben- 
ezer, b.  1679 ;  Hepzibh,  b.  1688. 

HARNDEN,  John,  son  of  Richard  and  Mary,  b.  1668  ;  m.,  ist,  1690,  Su- 
sanna   ;  she  d.  1707;  m.,  2cl,  1707,  Sarah  Sherman,  of 

Lynnfield.  Chil.  :  Susanna,  b.  1691  ;  Abigail,  b.  1692  ;  Susanna, 
b.  1695  ;  Mary,  b.  1699  ;  Hepzi.,  b.  1701 ;  John,  b.  1703  ;  Hep- 
zi.,  b.  1705  ;  Susan,  b.  1708. 

HARNDEN,  Benja.,  son  of  Richard  and  Mary,  b.  1671 ;  m.  1691,  Mary 

,  and  had  chil.:  Elizabeth,  b.  1692;  Hannah,  b.  1694; 

Benja.,  b.  1697  ;  Richard  and  Samuel,  twins,  b.  1699. 

NOTE.  —  The  early  Harnden  families  lived  in  that  part  of  Reading  that  was  an- 
nexed, in  1729,  to  Wilmington. 

HART,  Isaac,  came  over  in  1637  as  servant  to  Richard  Carver ;  stopped 
first  at  Watertown ;  was  at  Lynn  in  1640;  removed  to  Reading 
in  1647.  His  wife's  name  was  Elizabeth.  Chil. :  Elizabeth,  b. 
1651,  and  m.  1667  (at  Maiden),  John  Winborne ;  Samuel,  b. 
1656;  Adam,  b.  1666;  Rebecca,  d.  1670.  He  settled  first  in 
the  south  part  of  the  town,  near  and  west  of  the  present  site 
of  Congregational  Meeting  House,  and  removed  to  North 
Reading. 

HARTSHORNE,  Thomas,  an  early  settler  on  the  place,  a  part  of  which 
is  still  occupied  by  a  descendant,  Joseph  Hartshorne.  He  was 

a  freeman  in  1648;  was  a  selectman.  M.,  ist,  Susanna , 

who  d.  1659  ;  m.,  2d,  1659,  Sarah,  wid.  of  Wm.  Lamson,  of 
Ipswich.  Chil.:  Thomas,  b.  1642;  John,  b.  1650;  Joseph,  b. 
1652;  Benja.,  b.  1654;  Jonathan,  b.  1656;  David,  b.  1657; 
Susanna,  b.  1659  ;  Timothy,  b.  1661. 

HARTSHORNE,  Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  and  Susanna,  b.  1642  ;  m.  1671, 
Hannah  Goodwin.  She  d.  1673.  Child :  Mary,  b.  1672.  He 


86  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

probably  removed  to  Haverhill,  where  it  is  said  he  took  an  oath 
of  fidelity  in  1677. 

HARTSHORNE,  Joseph,  son  of  Tho.  and  Susanna,  b.  1652  ;  wife's  name 
was  Sarah.  He  was  a  soldier  in  King  Philip's  war.  Chil. : 
Susanna,  b.  i677;(Sarah,  b.  1679  :jMary,  b.  J68i  ;  Abigail,  b. 
i686;(Joseph,  b.  1 688  •) Tabitha,  £  1690. § t . &*^&J*jL».t, >Jf- 

HARTSHORNE,  Benj.,  son  of  Thomas  and  Susanna,  r.b.  1654;  m.,  ist, 
1682,  Mary,  dau.  of  Geo.  Thompson;  she  d.  1682;  m.,  2d, 
1684,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  John  and  Elizh  (Osgood)  Browne.  He 
d.  1694,  aged  40;  had  chil. :  Mary,  b.  and  d.  1682  ;  Benja.,  b. 
1685  ;  Elizabh,  b.  1686,  and  m.  1703,  Nathaniel  Haseltine,  of 
Haverhill;  Hannah,  b.  1689,  and  m.  1733,  Joseph  Boutwell ; 
Jonathan,  b.  1690  ;  Susanna,  b.  1692. 

HARTSHORNE,  David,  son  of  Thomas  and  Susanna,  b.  1657  ;  m.  Deb- 
orah, and  had  Samuel,  b.  1692.  David  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Indian  war. 

HARTSHORNE,  Timothy,  son  of  Thomas  and  Susanna,  b.  1661 ;  by  wife 
Martha  had  chil.  :  Timothy,  b.  1688;  Thomas,  b.  1691  ;  John, 
b.  1693,  and  d.  1695  ;  Martha,  b.  1696,  and  m.  1717,  Francis 
Nurse  ;  John,  b.  1698  ;  Mary,  b.  1701  ;  Hepzih,  b.  1703,  and  m. 
1721,  James  Pearson,  of  Lynn  ;  Samuel,  b.  1708  ;  David,  b.  1710. 

HARTSHORNE,  Benja.,  son  of  Benja.  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1685  ;  m.  1716, 
Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Sergt.  -James  Boutwell.  Chil. :  Benja.,  b. 
1720;  Jonathan,  b.  1721;  Elizabeth,  b.  1724;  and  James,  b. 
1727,  and  d.  1729. 

HARTSHORNE,  Tho.,  son  of  Timothy  and  Martha,  b.  1691 ;  by  wife 
Susanna  had  chil.  :  Susanna,  b.  1710  ;  Tho.,  b.  1713  ;  a  dau.,  b. 
1715;  Tho.,  b.  1718;  Hepzi.,  b.  1721. 

HARTSHORNE,  Samuel,  son  of  Timothy  and  Martha,  b.  1708;  m.  1731, 
Abigail,  dau.  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Taylor.  Chil.  :  Abigail,  b. 
1732  ;  Mary,  b.  1734,  and  m.  1752,  Jona.  Pearson;  Timothy,  b. 
1737  ;  Susanna,  b.  1740. 

HARTSHORNE,  Benja.,  son  of  Benja.  and  Elizabeth  (Boutwell),  b.  1720 ; 
m.  1742,  Mary,  dau.  of  Jeremiah  and  Sarah  (Burnap)  Swain. 
Chil.:  Benja.,  b.  1744,  and  m.  Abigail,  and  was  father  of  the 
late  Thomas,  and  great-grandfather  of  the  late  Benj.  M.,  Esq., 
of  Reading;  Mary,  b.  1746;  James,  b.  1750  (Dea.  James),  m. 
1771,  Sarah  Hopkinson,  and  was  father  of  Col.  James,  Eben- 
ezer,  Joseph,  and  other  children :  William  ;  Jonathan  ;  Jeremiah, 
b.  1760,  and  m.  1786,  Margaret  Swain;  Mary,  b.  1765;  and 
Samuel,  b.  1768. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  8/ 

HARTSHORNE,  Jonathan,  son  of  Benj.  and  Elizabeth  (Boutwell),  b. 
1721  ;  m.  1748,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Jeremiah  and  Sarah  (Burnap) 
Swain.  He  d.  childless,  and  his  wid.  m.  1774  (second  wife), 
Rev.  Joseph  Swain,  of  Wenham. 

HASELTINE,  Nathaniel;  m.  1703,  Elizabeth  Hartshorne. 

HASTINGS,  Joseph,  came  from  Cambridge  (perhaps  son  of  John  and 
Lydia,  of  Cambridge,  and  b.  1669);  m.  1699,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of 
Matthew  Edwards.  Chil. :  John,  b.  1700;  Elizabeth,  b.  1702; 
Lydia,  b.  1705;  Mary,  b.  1708;  Joseph,  b.  1711;  Hannah,  b. 

I7I3-  § 

HAUGH,  Rev.  Samuel,  second  minister  of  Reading,  son  of  Hon.  Ather- 
ton  Haugh,  of  Boston,  who  came  from  Boston,  England,  where 
he  had  been  Major.  Samuel,  it  is  probable,  was  born  in  Eng- 
land, and  came  over  in  1634  with  his  father.  He  was  educated 
at  Har.  Coll.,  but  did  not  graduate.  He  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Rev. 
Zechariah  Symms,  of  Charlestown ;  began  to  preach  at  Read- 
ing in  1648,  and  was  ordained  pastor  at  Reading,  in  March, 
1650.  He  d.  Mar.  30,  1662,  at  the  house  of  his  brother-in-law, 
Hezekiah  Usher,  in  Boston.  Chil. :  Elizabeth,  who  m.  Capt. 
John  Herbert;  Samuel,  b.  1650,  and  d.  1651 ;  Samuel,  b.  1651 ; 
removed  to  Boston,  and  m.  Ann,  dau.  of  Rev.  Edward  Rains- 
ford,  and  had  Samuel,  b.  1676;  Ann,  b.  1677;  Atherton,  b. 
1678;  "both  these  sons  of  Samuel,  Jr.,  of  whom  Chief-Justice 
Sewall  was  guardian,  died  before  middle  age  ;"  Sarah,  b.  1652  ; 
m.,  ist,  O. .Walker,  and  m.,  2d,  1678,  Ephraim  Savage,  of  Bos- 
ton and  Reading;  Zechariah,  b.  and  d.  1654;  Mary,  b.  1655, 
and  m.  Tho.  Baker,  of  Boston;  Rebecca,  b.  1660,  and  d.  1661. 
Rev.  Samuel  owned  and  occupied  at  Reading,  the  place  of  the 
late  Noah  Smith,  Esq.  He  also  owned  houses  and  lands  at 
Boston,  Braintree,  and  Cambridge.  His  estate  at  his  death  was 
appraised  at  £1,822  7*.  5</.,  a  large  estate  for  those  days.  His 
Reading  place,  in  the  distribution  of  his  estate,  fell  to  his  dau. 
Elizabeth,  wife  of -Capt.  John  Herbert,  of  Boston,  who  removed 
thereto.  His  will,  written  in  his  own  hand,  in  beautiful  style 
and  penmanship,  shows  somewhat  the  peculiar  talents  and  char- 
acter of  the  writer.  The  following  is  a  copy  :  — 

In  the  name  of  God :  Amen.  I,  Samuel  Haugh,  of  Reading,  in  the  County  of 
Middlesex,  in  New  England,  being  in  good  health  and  sound  memorie,  but  put  in 
mind  of  my  mortality,  both  by  the  word  gf  God,  the  death  of  many  near  relatives 
formerly,  and  the  frequent  diseases,  whereby  it  has  pleased  the  Lord  of  late  years  and 
now  at  present  to  visit  his  people  in  this  country  —  Do  make  and  declare  this  my  last 


gg  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Will  and  Testament,  in  writing,  this  twenty-fifth  day  of  October  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  One  Thousand  six  hundred  and  fifty-seven,  to  the  end  that  when  my  latter  end 
may  be  near,  I  may  not  be  troubled  with  matters  of  the  world. 

First,  therefore,  I  beseech  the  Lord  of  his  infinite  grace  and  mercie  in  Jesus 
Christ,  that  he  would  more  and  more  strengthen  my  faith  in  those  gratious  promises 
of  his,  in  which  he  hath  formerly  given  me  to  trust  in  him ;  for  the  pardon  of  my 
great  and  many  sins  and  for  the  accepting  of  my  person  through  the  pretious  merits 
of  my  dear  Redeemer  —  and  the  good  Lord  cover  all  the  weaknesses  and  imperfec- 
tions of  my  poor  endeavors  in  this  weighty  imployment,  he  hath  called  me  unto  ;  — 
accepting  through  Christ  the  sincere  desire  of  my  soul  therein,  to  promote  his  king- 
dom ;  concerning  all  which  I  beg  the  sparing  mercye  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  Fi- 
nally, the  peace  of  God's  Zion,  the  prosperity  of  his  Jerusalem,  and  in  particular  of 
that  little  flock  of  Christ,  among  whom  he  hath  set  me,  I  implore,  for  Christ  Jesus' 
sake.  And  when  it  shall  please  God  to  call  me  out  of  this  transitory  life,  I  do  hereby 
bequeathe  my  soul  unto  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  hath  so  dearly  bought  it.  My  body  I 
desire  may  be  decently  interred,  to  sleep  in  the  dust,  until  the  resurrection  of  the  just. 
Believing  in  Christ  Jesus  to  enjoy  a  glorious  resurrection,  even  the  fruit  of  my  re- 
demption, at  that  great  day,  according  to  his  faithful  promise.  My  wife  and  children, 
whom  God  of  his  grace  hath  given  me,  I  again  resign  to  his  merciful  care  and  provi- 
dence, humbly  craving  the  sure  mercys  of  the  Covenant  for  them ;  even  the  remem- 
brance of  that  Gratious  promise  to  them,  ("  I  will  be  a  God  to  thee  and  to  thy  seed,") 
which  I  account  abundantly  more  worth  than  all  outward  enjoyments.  And  for  that 
portion  of  outward  estate,  which  God  hath  gratiously  given  unto  me  as  his  steward,  I 
thus,  in  his  fear,  dispose  thereof: 

First,  I  will  that  all  my  debts  be  discharged  and  my  funeral  expenses,  which  I 
leave  to  the  discretion  of  my  Executors. 

Item  —  I  give  these  following  legacies,  in  token  of  my  sincere  and  hearty  affection 
unto  the  persons  as  follows  : 

Imprimis  —  To  my  dear  father  in  law,  Mr.  Zechariah  Symms,  pastor  of  the  church 
at  Charlestown,  twentie  shillings;  —  To  my  dear  mother  in  law.,  Mrs.  Sarah  Symms, 
twentie  shillings  ;  —  To  my  dear  uncle,  Mr.  Peter  Buckley,  teacher  of  the  church  at 
Concord,  Bishop  Usher's  Annals  of  the  New  Testament ;  To  every  of  my  dear 
brothers  and  sisters,  to  wit :  Capt.  Tho.  Savage  and  his  wife  ;  —  Mr.  Hezekiah  Usher 
and  his  wife  ;  —  Left.  Wm.  Davis  and  his  wife  —  Mr.  Humphrey  Booth  and  his  wife, 
Mr.  Wm.  Symms  and  his  wife,  Mrs  Ruth  Symms,  Mr.  Zeckariah  Symms,  Jr.,  Deborah 
Symms  and  Timothy  Symms,  to  each  of  all  these,  ten  shillings. 

Item  —  Unto  my  two  negroes,  Frank  and  Mary,  (If  they  survive  me)  let  my 
father's  will  be  performed. 

It.  Unto  the  church  at  Reading  let  that  silver  bowl,  given  by  my  father  to  them, 
after  my  decease  be  surrendered  up. 

It.  Unto  my  beloved  daughters,  Elizabeth,  Sarah  and  Mary,  I  give  all  my  houses 
and  lands  that  I  shall  dye  in  possession  of  within  the  town  of  Reading,  with  all  the 
accommodations,  properly  thereunto  belonging,  together  with  all  the  quick  stock, 
that  I  shall  then  have  at  Reading. 

Item  — To  my  beloved  son  Samuel  Haugh,  I  give  all  my  farm  at  Cambridge, 
together  with  all  the  stock  that  is  or  shall  then  be  upon  the  same  property,  belonging 
unto  me.  Also,  I  give  unto  my  said  son,,  my  Librarie  and  manuscripts,  to  wit,  if  he 
prove  a  scholar.  And  my  will  is  that  he  be  educated  in  Learning  at  the  College. 
Also,  I  give  unto  my  said  son,  Samuel  Haugh,  the  reversion  of  my  house  and  land  in 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


89 


Boston,  now  in  tenure  of  Mr.  Peter  Oliver,  to  come  to  him  at  my  wife's  death.  What 
I  have  herein  willed  to  each  of  my  children,  I  give  to  them  and  their  heirs,  of  their 
bodye  lawfully  begotten.  Also,  that  they  shall  every  one  enter  upon  what  I  here 
give  them,  at  the  age  of  one  and  twentie  years,  or  the  time  of  their  lawful  marriage, 
which  shall  soonest  happen.  In  case  that  any  of  the  daughters  should  dye,  the  sur- 
viving sister  or  sisters  to  be  their  heir  or  heirs.  In  case  all  of  them  dye  before  they 
come  to  be  twentie  one  year  old,  their  brother  Samuel  shall  be  their  heir.  In  case 
my  son  Samuel  dye  before  he  be  one  and  twentie,  his  sisters  shall  equally  share  what 
is  herein  willed  to  him,  (as  it  is  also  my  will  that  they  equally  share  what  I  have 
willed  them,  excepting  any  peeces  of  plate,  that  have  been  given  to  any  of  them  be- 
fore.) In  case  that  Samuel  should  dye  before  age,  or  will  not  be  a  scholar,  then  I 
give  my  Librarie  unto  my  dear  nephew,  Wm.  Whittingham.  In  case  Wm.  Whitting- 
ham  dye,  I  give  them  to  wit  my  said  Librarie  to  my  beloved  brother  Latham  Symms. 
In  case  all  my  children  should  dye  before  their  age  or  lawful  marriage,  then  I  will 
one  half  of  my  estate  shall  be  given  to  my  dear  wife,  to  her  and  her  heirs  forever  ; 
the  other  half  to  be  divided  between  Wm.  Whittingham,  Martha  Whittingham  and 
Elizabeth  Whittingham  —  Wm.  to  have  a  double  share. 

Item  :  —  I  give  to  my  dearly  beloved  wife  Mrs.  Sarah  Haugh,  my  little  negro  boy, 
and  also  Mary,  negro,  if  Frank  dye  before  me.  Also,  I  give  unto  my  said  wife,  dur- 
ing her  life  my  house  and  land  in  Boston,  now  in  tenure  of  Mr.  Peter  Oliver  ;  and  all 
the  land  at  Braintree  now  in  tenure  of  Samuel  Basse  and  his  partners.  Also,  I  will 
that  a  true  inventorie  be  taken  of  all  my  goods  and  household  stuff;  and  that  they 
shall  be  prised  to  the  just  value  of  them,  according  to  the  discretion  of  the  Apprisers 
that  shall  take  the  inventorie.  Item  :  I  will  that  my  beloved  wife  shall  have  the  use 
of  the  same  household  stuff,  during  her  widowhood,  all  of  it.  And  in  case  of  her 
marriage  I  will  that  her  husband  shall  enter  into  bonds  to  make  good  the  household 
stuff  to  the  value  they  shall  be  apprised  at,  and  in  kind  to  the  several  partyes,  and  at 
the  time  I  shall  herein  appoint ;  only  in  consideration  of  loss  and  decay,  I  do  allow 
five  pounds  out  of  the  full  price,  if  my  wife  survive  me  three  years ;  but  that  five 
pounds  to  be  abated  out  of  that  sort  of  household  stuff,  which  the  children  shall 
allow. 

Item  :  I  give  unto  my  dear  wife  a  part  of  all  my  household  stuff,  during  her  life,  to 
wit :  a  fourth  part ;  and  to  that  end,  I  will  that  before  her  marriage  the  said  household 
stuff  shall  be  justly  parted  into  four  parts,  of  each  kind  whereof  she  shall  have  her 
fourth  part  during  her  life.  And  she  shall  have  liberty  to  use  the  other  three  parts 
until  they  are  to  be  disposed  of,  as  followeth,  viz. :  I  will  that  my  four  children,  Sam- 
uel, Elizabeth,  Sarah  and  Mary,  shall  have  the  other  three  parts  of  the  household  stuff 
parted  equally  among  them,  and  delivered  to  them  at  their  several  ages  of  one  and 
twentie,  or  at  their  lawful  marriage,  which  shall  soonest  be.  If  my  wife  marry  again 
and  her  husband  do  not  put  in  sufficient  surety  before  marriage  with  her  for  the  per- 
formance of  my  Will  in  point  of  the  household  stuff,  according  to  the  full  meaning  of 
this  my  Will,  then  shall  he  and  my  said  wife  lose  the  benefit  of  that  part  of  my  Will 
concerning  household  stuff. 

Item :  Seeing  that  I  cannot  foresee  what  providences  of.  God  may  fall  out  after  my 
death,  which  may  occasion  some  of  my  children  more  than  others  to  be  in  want,  I 
leave  it  therefore  in  the  power  of  my  dearly  beloved  wife  to  make  her  will  concerning 
that  land  of  mine  at  Braintree,  given  her  during  her  life,  together  with  that  part  of 
the  household  stuff  given  her  during  life,  provided  she  give  it  to  some  or  all  of  said 
forenamed  children,  Samuel,  Elizabeth,  Sarah,  Mary,  according  as  she  shall  find  caus«. 
12 


QQ  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

But  if  she  doth  not  make  a  will  of  them,  while  she  is  in  perfect  memorie,  then  the 
land  shall  fall  by  inheritance  to  my  son  Samuel,  and  that  part  of  the  household  stuff 
shall  be  divided  among  the  sisters.  If  my  wife  choose  the  law  of  the  Countrie  con- 
cerning dowries,  then  my  will  concerning  her  shall  be  void.  If  God  take  away  all 
those,  whom  I  have  willed  my  estate  unto,  before  the  time  I  have  appointed  for  them 
to  receive  it,  then  the  College  shall  enjoy  the  same.  But  if  any  of  them  live  to  that 
age,  they  shall  have  the  benefit  of  the  will,  according  to  the  plain  meaning  of  the  Will. 
And  of  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament,  I  make  my  dearly  beloved  wife,  Mrs.  Sarah 
Haugh,  together  with  my  dearly  beloved  brethren,  Capt.  Tho.  Savage  and  Mr.  Heze- 
kiah  Usher,  my  Executors  and  Executrix  of  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament  To 
each  of  my  Executors  I  give  three  pounds,  in  token  of  my  endeared  affection  to  them, 
and  in  confirmation  hereof,  I  have  set  to  my  hand  and  seal. 

SAMUEL  HAUGH.  [L.  s.] 

This  Will  and  Testament,  I  signed  and  sealed  this  twentie-fifth  of  January,  1657. 

Witness : 

WM.  SIMMES,  SAMUEL  HAUGH.  [L.  s.] 

WM.   COWDREY. 

CODICIL: 

Whereas  in  my  indorsed  novissimum  I  ordered  my  land  at  Brantry  as  part  of  my 
wife's  jointure,  and  my  housing  and  land  that  are  at  Reading,  all  of  them  as  part  of 
my  daughter's  portion,  I  have  thought  meet  to  make  this  change  in  that  Will,  (in  this 
only)  to  wit :  that  I  leave  it  to  my  wife's  choyce,  which  of  these  to  take  four  or  five 
year,  —  the  other  to  be  my  daughters' ;  and  of  that,  which  she  shall  choose,  I  do 
give  her  power  to  make  a  will,  provided  she  doe  give  unto  some  or  all  of  those  chil- 
dren, that  are  between  us,  according  as  she  shall  think  meete —  having  respect  partly 
unto  those  that  may  most  need  it,  and  partly  and  espetially  to  those,  that  are  most 
obedient  to  her.  The  rest  of  my  Will  lett  stand  untouched. 
Witness  my  hand  this  2d  of  September,  1661. 
Witness :  By  me, 

WM.  COWDREY,  SAMUEL  HAUGH.  [L.  s.] 

THOMAS  CLARK. 

NOTE.    Besides  what  I  have  given  to  Frank  and  Mary,  I  doe  give  them  a  cow. 

Upon  further  consideration,  I  have  thought  meete  to  make  some  further  alteration 
of  my  last  Will  and  Testament,  concerning  my  librarie  : 

If  my  son  Samuel  prove  a  scholar,  I  give  my  Librarie  unto  him ;  if  he  prove  no 
scholar,  then  my  will  is  that  my  librarie  be  divided  between  my  dear  wife,  and  my  be- 
loved brother  Mr.  Zachery  Symms  Jr.  and  my  beloved  cousin  Wm.  Whittingham,  pro- 
vided he  prove  an  approved  minister,  otherwise,  by  virtue  hereof  he  shall  fall  short  of 
his  share : 

Given  under  my  hand  this  29th  of  March,  1662. 

Witness  : 

HEZEKIAH  USHER,  SAMUEL  HAUGH.  [L.  s.] 

HULLDAH  DAVIS. 

NOTE.     His  wid.  m.  Rev.  John  Brock.     See  Brock's  Genealogy. 

HAY,  James,  d.  1682. 

HAY,  Patrick,  m.  1685,  Mary  Kidder. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


DR.    WILLIAM     HAY. 

HAY,  William,  a  physician,  a  native  of  Scotland;  m.  1717,  Abigail 
dau.  of  Dea.  Thomas  and  Abigail  Boutwell ;  he  occupied  the 
place  on  Elm  Street,  formerly  owned  by  the  late  Geo.  W.  Harts- 
horn. Dr.  Hay  was  selectman  in  1744.  His  wife  d.  1779,  and 
he  d.  1783,  aged  100,  nearly.  Chil. :  Thomas,  b.  and  d.  1718; 
Abigail,  b.  1719,  and  m.  1750,  Rev.  Joseph  Emerson,1  of  Groton  ; 

William,  b.  and  d.  1722  ;  William,  b.  1723,  and  m. Gale, 

and  settled  in  Merrimac,  N.  H. ;  Thomas,  son  of  William,  2d 
b.  1762,  and  settled  in  Dublin,  N.  H. ;  m.  1792,  Rebecca  Poole, 
and  d.  1839;  Edmund,  son  of  William,  2d,  settled  in  Boston; 
John,  b.  1737,  m.  about  1760  to  Sarah  Ring. 

HAY,  John,  son  of  Dr.  William,  m.  Sarah  Ring,  as  above,  about  1760 ; 
settled  first  in  Woburn  ;  was  a  physician ;  removed  to  Reading ; 
died  1815.  Chil.:  Sarah,  b.  1762,  and  m.  Dudley  Porter;  Jon- 
athan Pierpont,  b.  1765,  and  m.  Hepzi  Appleton ;  Charlotte, 

b.  1766,  and  m.  I.  S.  Thompson,  and  2d, Flint;  Charles, 

b.  1769;  Abigail,  b.  1771,  and  m.  John  Chandler;  Elizabeth, 
b.  1773,  and  m.  Samuel  Nichols;  Permela,  b.  1774,  and  m. 

1  Joseph  Emerson,  of  Groton  (West  Parish,  now  Pepperell),  was  the  son  of  Rev. 

Emerson,  of  Maiden;  H.  Coll.  1743;  ordained  at  Pepperell,  1747;  m.  Abigail 

Hay,  in  1750,  and  d.  1775,  aged  51.     Chil.:  Mary,  b.  1751  ;  Joseph,  b.  1754;  Eben- 
ezer,  b.  1762 ;  Samuel,  Moody,  twins,  b.  1757;  Joseph,  Sewall,  twins,  b.  1764. 


02  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


DR.    JOHN     HAY, 

Timothy  Sweetser ;  Anna,  b.  1776,  and  m.  Jesse  Pope  ;  John,  b. 
1777,  and  m.  Sarah  Lucas  ;  George,  b.  1779,  and  settled  in 
Kentucky ;  Mary,  b.  1781,  and  m.  R.  Raddin ;  Francis,  b.  1783, 
and  m.,  ist, Mansfield,  and  2d, Myrick. 

HERBERT,  John,  came  from  Boston  ;  was  in  early  life  a  mariner  and  sea- 
captain  ;  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Rev.  Samuel  Haugh.  He  lived 
on  the  place  recently  owned  by  the  heirs  of  Capt.  Noah  Smith, 
and  which  fell  to  his  wife  in  the  distribution  of  her  father's  (Rev. 
Samuel  Haugh)  estate.  Capt.  Herbert  was  town  clerk  and 
selectman  several  years,  and  wrote  a  very  handsome  hand.  He 
had  one  child :  Mary,  b.  1684,  and  m.  Thomas  Nichols,  who 
succeeded  to  the  place.  His  wife  Elizabeth  d.  when  her  dau. 
Mary  was  one  week  old.  He  d.  1712. 

HERBERT,  Jonathan,  m.  1713,  Anna  Southwick,  and  had  Anna,  b.  1715. 

HESCEY,  William,  m.  1681,  Judith  Poole ;  d.  1689  ;;  was  a  lieutenant,  a 
man  of  note. 

HILLS, Mas. ;  was  taxed  in  1686  for  the  Indian  purchase. 

HODGKINS,  Wm. ;  by  wife  Deborah  had  Samuel,  b.  1695. 

HODGMAN,  Thomas,  m.  1663,  Mary,  who  was  (probably)  the  young 
widow  of  Ezekiel  Morrill.  It  is  thought  that  Hodgman  had  no 
children,  but  that  he  adopted  one  Josiah  Webber,  who  took  the 
name  of  Josiah  Hodgman.  Thomas  d.  1729,  and  his  widow  d. 
1735,  aged  95. 

HODGMAN,  Josiah,  son  of  Josiah  Webber,  and  adopted  son  of  Thomas 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  93 

,.?  I       Hodgman,  b.  1668;  m.,  ist,  1691,  Elizabeth ;  she  d.  1712  ; 

m.,   2d,   1724,  Grace,  widow  of  John  Boutwell ;    had   a   son, 
Thomas,  b.  1693.     He  (the  father)  d.  1749  ;  his  widow  d.  1756. 

HODGMAN,  Thomas,  son  of  the  above-named  Josiah,  b.  1693,  and  set- 
tled in  West  Parish,  near  and  south  of  Prescott  place  ;  m.  1714, 
Abigail  Gerry,  of  Stoneham.  Chil. :  Elizabeth,  b.  1715  ;  Josiah, 
b.  1721 ;  I  Benjamin,  b.  1722;  Jonathan,  b.  1725;  Thomas,  b. 
1727  ;  David,  b.  1729  ;  Timothy,  b.  1731 ;  John,  b.  1733. 

HOOPER,  Wm.,  came  over  in  1635,  at  the  age  of  18  \  was  one  of  the 
very  early  settlers  of  Reading.  He  d.  1678,  aged  61.  Chil.: 
Mary,  b.  1647  y  James,  b.  and  d.  1649  ;  Susan,  b.  1650  ;  Ruth, 
b.  1653  ;  Rebecca,  b.  1656  ;  William,  b.  1658  ;  Hannah,  b.  1662  ; 
Elizabeth,  b.  1665  ;  Thomas,  b.  1668 ;  John,  b.  1670. 

HOOPER,  Wm.,  son  of  William,  b.  1658;'  by  wife  Susanna  had  chil. : 
William,  b.  1687  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1689  ;  Ruth,  b.  1691.  He  was 
a  selectman  in  1685. 

HUTCHINSON,  Francis,  came  here  from  Lynn;  b.  in  England  in  1630; 
m.,  ist.,  1661,  Sarah  Leighton  ;  she  d.  soon  ;  m.,  2d,  Martha 

,  who  d.  1708  ;  removed  early  to  the  North  Precinct,  and  d. 

1702.  Chil. :  Francis,  who  m.  1708,  Mary  Jeffrey,  of  Lynn  ; 
Thomas,  whose  wife  was  Mary,  and  had  chil. :  Adam  and 
Thomas  (twins),  b.  1712,  and  Lydia,  b.  1721. 

HUTCHINSON,  Samuel,  sold  in  1670,  the  place  on  side  of  Great  Pond, 
next  above  Capt.  T.  Emerson's  former  residence. 

JACKSON,  Thomas,  m.  1685,  Hannah  Taylor,  or  Tower. 

JENKINS,  Joel,  m.  1704,  Mary  Chadwick;  livedjn  the  North  Precinct. 
Chil. :  Mary,  b.  1705  ;  Joel,  b.  1707  ;  Samuel,  b.  1709. 

JENKINSON,  Barnard  ;  by  wife  Mary  had  Mary,  b.  1703. 

KEBBE,  or  KIDDER,  Edward,  d.  1694. 

KELSON,  Thomas,  had  chil. :  Elizabeth,  b.  1663;  Susanna,  b.  1666. 

KEN,  Robert,  came  from  Salem  ;  had  a  blacksmith's  shop  upon  the 
Common  ;  it  stood  near  what  from  him  was  called  "  Ken's 

Pond,"  now  filled  up.     His  wife's  name  was  Mary ;  had 

chil. :  Mary,  b.  1684,  and  m.  1707,  Edward  Pepper,  of  Salem  ; 
Susanna,  b.  1687;  Robert,  b.  1689  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1691 ;  Anna, 
b.  1698.  He  probably  returned  to  Salem. 

KENDALL,  Dea.  Thomas,  an  original  settler,  removed  here  from  Lynn  ; 
was  brother  of  Francis,  of  Woburn  ;  lived  on  the  "  James  Emer- 
son place,"  corner  of  Cedar  and  Church  Streets  ;  was  deacon 
and  selectman  for  many  years,  and  a  very  influential  citizen. 
He  d.  1681,  and  his  widow,  Rebecca,  d.  1703,  aged  85.  Chil.  : 


04  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Elizabeth,  b.  1642,  and  m.  1658,  John  Eaton;  Rebecca,  b.  1644, 
and  m.  1665,  James  Boutwell ;  Mary,  b.  1647,  and  m-  l664> 
Abraham  Bryant;  Hannah,  b.  1650,  and  m.  1667,  John  Parker; 
Sarah,  b.  and  d.  1652  ;  Sarah,  2d,  b.  1653,  and  m.  Samuel  Dun- 
ton  ;  Abigail,  b.  1655,  and  m.  John  Nichols  ;  Susanna,  b.  1658, 
and  m.  Nathaniel  Goodwin  ;  Tabitha,-  b.  1660,  and  m.  John 
Pearson ;  and  Thomas,  b.  1663,  and  d.  1664.  Dea.  Kendall 
had  no  son  that  lived  to  adult  age,  and  his  name  has  long  since 
disappeared  from  our  municipal  record  ;  yet  perhaps  there  is  no 
one  of  the  first  settlers  that  can  be  pointed  out,  whose  blood, 
through  his  eight  daughters  diverging,  has  come  down  to  us 
through  so  many  families,  and  still  flows  in  the  veins  of  so  many 
of  the  present  population  of  the  town. 

KNOWLTON,  Benoni,  son  of  Marah,  b.  1689. 

LAMSON,  Samuel  (probably  a  son  of  Wm.  Lamson,  of  Ipswich,  who  d. 
there  in  1659,  and  whose  wid.,  Sarah,  m.  in  1661  Thomas  Harts- 
horn, of  Reading,  and  with  her  children  came  to  Reading)  ;  m. 
1676,  Mary,  dau.  of  Richard  Nichols.  Chil. :  Samuel,  b.  1677  ; 
Mary,  b.  1678;  Ebenezer,  b.  1680,  and  d.  1681  ;  William,  b. 
and  d.  1681  ;  Joanna,  Jx  1682  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1685  ;  John,  b. 
1686;  Sarah,  b.  1689;  Elizabeth,  b.  1691;  Samuel,  Sen.,  d. 
1692. 

LAMSON,  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary,  b.  1677  ;  was  a  carpenter, 
and  by  wife  Elizabeth  had  chil.  :  Samuel,  b.  1701 ;  Rebecca,  b. 
1702  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1709.  Samuel  Lamson,  father  or  son,  lived 
near  the  late  Daniel  Damon  place. 

LAUKIN,  or  LAKIN,  Wm.,  m.  Lydia  Brown,  and  had  chil. :  Lydia,  b. 
1650;  Mary,  b.  1652  ;  Wm.,  b.  1655  ;  John,  b.  1657  ;  Jona.,  b. 
1 66 1.  He  early  removed  to  Groton,  where  he  had  other  chil- 
dren. 

LEAMAN,  Samuel,  came  from  Charlestown ;  by  ist  wife,  Margaret,  had 
Nathaniel,  b.  1694,  and  perhaps  Samuel ;  m.,  2d,  1715,  Hannah 
Damon. 

LEAMAN,  Samuel;  probably  son  of  Samuel  and  Margaret;  m.  1716, 
Mary  Bryant,  and  had  chil. :  Margaret,  b.  1717  ;  Mary,  b.  1719  ; 
Samuel,  b.  1721 ;  Nathaniel,  b.  1726. 

LEWIS,  Samuel;  came  probably  from  Lynn;  m.  1706,  Sarah,  dau.  of 
John  and  Hannah  Boutwell.  Chil.:  Sarah,  b.  1707;  Mary,  b. 
1709;  Samuel,  b.  1714,  and  m.  1736,  Mary  Taylor;  Abigail; 
Ebenezer,  b.  1717  ;  Phebe,  b.  1720 ;  Joseph,  b.  1722  ;  Lydia,  b. 
1724;  Benjamin,  b.  1727. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  95 

LILLEY,  George ;  m.,  ist,  1659,  Hannah  Smith  ;  and  m.,  ad,  1667,  Jane 

.      Chil. :    Hannah,  b.  1660;  John,  b.  1662;  Reuben,  b. 

1669  ;  Abagail,  b.  1672  ;  George,  and  perhaps  Samuel.  He  set- 
tled in  W.  Parish,  near  the  old  Tho.  Sweetser  place,  and  was 
schoolmaster  at  Woodend  in  1683,  and  d.  1691. 

LILLEY,  Samuel ;  perhaps  and  probably  son  of  George  ;  by  wife  Han- 
nah had  chil.  :  Samuel,  b.  1695  ;  John,  b.  1697,  and  m.  1723, 
Abigail  Burnap;  Hannah,  b.  1700,  and  m.  1719,  Ebenezer  Bur- 
nap;  Sarah,  b.  1702,  and  m.  1723,  John  Parker;  Jona.,b.  1705  ; 
Mary,  whom.  1728,  Nathaniel  Goodwin;  David,  b.  1712;  Eliz- 
abeth, b.  1714.  He  lived  in  the  West  Parish,  near  the  Centre, 
on  the  place  now  occupied  by  John  Burrill,  and  afterwards  re- 
moved to  Sutton. 

LILLEY,  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel  and  Hannah,  b.  1695  >  m<  I71^,  Abigail 

Wright.     Had  chil.:  Phebe,  bap.   1717;  Sam1,  bap.  1719,  and 

removed  to  Woburn  and  Sutton.     From  the  Sutton  branch  of 

the  Lilley  family  have  sprung,  it  is  said,  O.  K.  Hutchinson,  Esq., 

Superintendent  of  the  Reform  School   at  Westboro',  and  Judge 

Chase,  the  late  Chief-Justice  of  the  United  States. 

LILLEY,  John,  son  of  George  and  Hannah,  b.  1662.;  m.  Hannah,  and 

settled  in  North  Woburn.     Chil.:  John,  b.  1691,  and  probably 

d.  between  1670  and  '74,  unm.;  Hannah,  b.   1694;  Sarah,  b. 

1696  ;  Rebecca,  b.  1699  ;  Susanna,  b.  1702  ;  Phebe,  b.  Feb. 

+ 1705,  and  m.  Noah  Eaton,  of  Reading,  and  her  oldest  son  (Noah 

'    Eaton,  Jr.)  succeeded  to  his  grandfather's  (John  Lilley)  estate 

in  Woburn. 

MARSHALL,  Thomas ;  was  called  Lieut;  was  a  carpenter ;  was  dismissed 
with  his  wife  from  Lynn  Church  to  Reading  Church  before  1648  ; 
wife's  name  was  probably  Joanna.  They  had  chil. :  Abigail,  b. 
1644;  Elizabeth,  b.  1649  j  Thomas,  b.  1650,  and  d.  1651  ;  Su- 
sanna, b.  1652  ;  he  was  selectman,  and  was  son  of  Capt.  Tho., 
of  Lynn. 

MARSHALL,  Edward;  m.  1665,  Mary  Swain. 

MARTIN,  William,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers,  and  was  selectman  in 
1647,  '48,  and  '51,  and  early  removed  to  Groton,  where  it  is  said 
he  m.  the  widow  of  Wm.  Laukin,  who  had  also  removed  from 
Reading  to  Groton. 

MAVERICK,  Anna,  wid.  of  Elias  Maverick,  of  Charlestown  and  Winni- 
simmet ;  dau.  of  a  wid.  Elizabeth  Harris,  who  became  the  wife 
of  Dea.  Wm.  Stetson,  of  Charlestown.  Anna,  by  her  husband 


96  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Elias,  had  several  chil.,  among  whom  was  Ruth,  who  m.  1680, 
Francis  Smith,  of  Reading.     Mrs.  Anna  d.  1697. 

MclNTiRE,  Philip,  lived  in  the  North  Precinct.  Chil. :  Philip,  b.  1666  ; 
Thomas,  b.  and  d.  1668;  Daniel,  b.  1669;  Mary,  b.  1672; 
John,  b.  1679;  David,  b.  1688;  and  perhaps  others.  His 
descendants  are  numerous. 

MERROW,  Henry,  came  from  Scotland ;  m.  1661,  Jane  Wallis,  a  young 
wid.  in  Woburn ;  lived  in  Reading,  West  Parish,  and  there  d.  in 
1685,  aged  60.  Estate  appraised  at  ,£322  ;  debts,  ^5.  Chil.  : 
ist,  Daniel,  b.  1662  ;  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Dr.  James  Stimpson  ; 
succeeded  his  father  on  the  homestead ;  2d,  John,  whose  wife's 
name  was  Deliverance,  lived  in  Reading,  near  his  brother  Dan- 
iel ;  had  seven  chil.,  and  d.  1735  ;  3d,  Henry,  who  m.  Miriam 
Brooks,  of  Woburn,  and  removed  thither  ;  6th,  Samuel,  b.  1670  ; 
wife's  name  was  Mary;  removed  from  Reading,  about  1720,  to 
Oyster  River,  now  Durham,  N.  H.;  was  the  ancestor  of  the  New 
Hampshire  Merrows ;  was  a  physician,  and  d.  about  1 740,  at  Roch- 
ester, N.  H.,  where  his  sons  had  settled  ;  7th,  Joseph,  b.  1675,  and 
d.  1695.  There  were  also  four  daughters.  Many  of  Dr.  Samuel's 
descendants  have  become  eminent  in  civil  and  professional  life, 
among  whom  are  Horace  P.  Tuttle,  of  the  Cambridge  Observa- 
tory, and  C.  W.  Tuttle,  Esq.,  a  lawyer  in  Boston.  Edward 
Merrow,  son  of  John  and  Ann,  and  grandson  of  John  and  De- 
liverance aforesaid,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Wm.  and  Tabitha  Cow- 
drey,  and  lived  in  Reading,  West  Parish,  on  the  Hartshorn 
place,  and  had  chil. :  ist,  Edward,  b.  1738,  who  joined  the  army 
in  the  French  war,  about  1757,  took  the  small-pox,  and  d.  His 
father,  on  hearing  of  his  sickness,  hastened  to  his  assistance, 
but  arrived  too  late,  his  son  being  dead.  He  started  homeward, 
but  his  grief  was  so  great  at  the  loss  of  his  only  son,  that  he  re- 
turned to  bring  the  remains  home  with  him.  He  caught  the 
malignant  disease  and  there  d.  also.  There  were  four  daugh- 
ters, viz.  Ann,  b.  1743,  and  m.  Nathan  Pearson;  Tabitha,  b. 
1745,  and  m.,  ist,  Timo.  Pratt,  and  2d,  Abram  Gould;  and 
Esther  and  Mary. 

MERROW,  Henry,  son  of  John  and  Deliverance,  b.  1686;  m.  1710, 
Abigail  Parker,  and  had  chil.  :  David,  b.  1711  ;  Abigail,  b.  at 
Woburn,  1713  ;  Ruth,  b.  1715  ;  Hepzi.,  b.  1717  ;  Ruth,  b.  1721. 
He  died  1761. 

MERROW,  John,  son  of  John  and  Deliverance,  b.  1688;  by  wife,  Ann, 
had  chil. :  Ann.  b.  1711,  and  d.  1713  ;  Dorothy,  b.  1712,  and  m. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


97 


J733>  Jona.  Foster;  Edward,  b.  1714,  and  m.  1737,  Mary  Cow- 
drey,  and  d.  1758,  of  small-pox;  John,  b.  and  d.  1719. 

NOTE.     The  Merrow  family  lived  in  the  West  Parish,  on  the  lands  now  occupied 
by  the  families  of  Joseph  and  Emory  Bancroft. 

MILLER,  Humphrey  ;  m.  1677,  at  Cambridge,  Elizabeth  Smith,  probably 
the  dau.  of  Matthew  Smith,  of  Reading.  Chil.  :.  Thomas,  b. 
1678;  Matthew,  b.  1680;  Elizabeth,  b.  1683;  Hannah,  b.  and 
d.  1684.  He  d.  1684. 

MORRILL,  Ezekiel ;  probably  from  Cambridge ;  wife's  name  was  Mary. 
He  d.  1663,  while  on  a  visit  to  Roxbury. 

NEWHALL,  Ens. ;  was  taxed  in  1686  as  of  the  North  Precinct. 

NICHOLS,  Richard ;  came  from  Ipswich ;  lived  in  the  westerly  part  of 
the  South  Parish,  on  the  place  subsequently  known  as  the  Lam- 
bert farm.  He  d.  1674.  His  wid.  Annas  d.  1692.  Their  chil. 
were  :  Mary,  Thomas,  James,  John,  Richard,  and  Hannah. 

NICHOLS,  Capt.  Thomas,  son  of  Richard  and  Annas,  m.  1680,  Rebecca, 
dau.  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Eaton  ;  was  selectman  from  1691  to 
1722  ;  was  deacon  and  representative,  and  d.  1737.  Chil.  : 
Thomas,  b.  1682  ;  Rebecca,  b.  1684,  and  m.,  ist,  in  1700,  Nich- 
olas Brown,  and  m.,  2d,  Dea.  Jona.  Barrett;  Ebenezer,  b.  1686  ; 
Judith,  b.  1688;  Abigail,  b.  1693,  and  m.  1711,  Jacob  Hersey, 
or  Hussey;  Elizabeth,  b.  1699;  Timothy,  b.  1702;  Daniel,  b. 
1707. 

NICHOLS,  James,  son  of  Richard  and  Annas,  m.  1682,  Mary  Poole, 
probably  dau.  of  Jona.  and  Judith.  She  d.  1711,  and  he  d.  1745, 
aged  87.  Chil. :  James,  b.  1683  ;  Mary,  b.  1685,  and  m.  1707, 
Benjamin  Wiley;  Jona.,  b.  1691  ;  William,  b.  1696;  Sarah,  b. 
1699,  and  m.  1722,  Joseph  Burnap;  Ebenezer,  b.  1703. 

NICHOLS,  John,  son  of  Richard  and  Annas,  b.  1651 ;  m.  Abigail,  dau. 
of  Dea.  Tho.  Kendall.  They  both  d.  1721,  aged,  he  70,  she  66. 
Chil.:  John,  b.  1677,  and  d.  1721;  Richard,  b.  1679,  and  d. 
soon  ;  Richard,  b.  1682  ;  Thomas  Kendall,  b.  1686 ;  James,  b. 
1688;  Nathaniel,  b.  1691;  Abig1,  b.  1694,  and  m.  1713,  Wm. 
Flint;  Samuel,  b.  1696  ;  Benj.,  b.  1699  ;  Joseph,  b.  1702;  This 
family  settled  in  the  West  Parish. 

NICHOLS,  Richard,  son  of  Richard  and  Annas;  m.  1706,  Abig1,  dau.  of 
Samuel  and  Mary  Damon.  He  d.  1732.  Chil.:  Abigail,  b. 
1708,  and  d.  1732  ;  John,  b.  1711 ;  Mary,  b.  1713 ;  Richard,  b. 
I7I5J  Joshua,  b.  1718;  Hepzi.,  b.  1721;  Mehitabel,  b.  1723; 
Jacob,  b.  1726.  This  family  settled  in  the  West  Parish. 
13 


98 


GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 


DR.  JOSEPH    EATON   (father  of  Gen.  J.   H.    Eaton.      See   page  67). 

NICHOLS,  Dea.  Thomas,  son  of  Capt.  Tho.  and  Rebecca,  b.  1682  ;  m. 
Mary,  dau.  of  Capt.  John  Herbert,  and  succeeded  to  his  father- 
in-law's  place.  His  wife  was  granddau.  of  Rev.  Samuel  Haugh. 
Dea.  Thomas,  d.  1745,  aged  63.  Chil. :  Herbert,  b.  1705  ; 
John,  b.  1708,  and  d.  soon;  John,  b.  1712,  and  m.  1734,  Ruth, 
dau.  of  Capt.  Tho.  Eaton;  Samuel,  b.  1714;  Jacob,  b.  1719. 

NICHOLS,  James,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Poole),  b.  1683;  m.  1707, 
Joanna,  dau.  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Lamson.  Chil.  :  James,  b. 
1708 ;  Joanna,  b.  1712  ;  Mary,  b.  1713,  and  d.  1741 ;  James,  b. 
1719;  Zechariah,  b.  1721. 

NICHOLS,  Nathaniel,  son  of  John  and  Abigail,  b.  1691 ;  m.  1715,  Isabel 
Hay,  of  Charlestown  (now  Stoneham).  Chil. :  Mary,  b.  1717  ; 
Nathaniel,  b.  1719;  Abigail,  b.  1721. 

NICHOLS,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Capt.  Thomas  and  Rebecca,  b.  1686 ;  m., 
ist,  Abigail,  and  m.,  2d,  Anna.  He  lived  in  the  South  Parish, 
near  the  Pond,  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  F.  B.  Eaton. 
Chil. :  Mary,  b.  1719  ;  Anna,  b.  about  1720  ;  Rebecca,  b.  1724  ; 
Ebenezer,  b.  1733,  and  perhaps  Lydia  and  Eunice. 

NICHOLS,  Col.  Ebenezer,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Poole),  b.  1703  ;  m. 
Susanna ;  was  selectman,  justice  of  the  peace,  representative, 
colonel,  etc.  He  lived  on  the  place  long  known  afterwards  as 
the  "  Rayner  place,"  and  his  house  stood  near  where  now  stands 
the  residence  of  Mrs.  Dr.  J.  G.  Brown.  Chil. :  Ebenezer,  b. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  go 

1725,  and  d.  soon  ;  Edmund,  b.  1727,  and  d.  1729  ;  Susanna,  b. 
1729;  Elizabeth,  b.  1732,  and  m.  1749,  Jeremiah  Bancroft; 
Katharine,  b.  1734,  and  m.  Dr.  Wm.  Stimpson;  Edmund,  b.  and 
d.  1741 ;  Wm.,  b.  1743,  and  d.  1745  ;  Susanna,  b.  1748;  Eben- 
ezer,  b.  1750,  and  perhaps  Richard. 

NICHOLS,  Wm.,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Poole),  b.  1696  ;  by  wife  Abi- 
gail had  chil. :  Wm.,  b.  1721,  and  m.  1754,  Phebe  Stimpson; 
Joshua,  b.  1724;  Abigail,  b.  1726;  Samuel,  b.  1729. 

NICHOLS,  Samuel,  son  of  John  and  Abigail  (Kendall),  b.  1696  ;  m.,  ist, 
Rebecca,  and  m.,  2d,  Abigail.  Chil.:  Samuel,  b.  1723;  Abi- 
gail, b.  1726,  and  other  children,  among  whom  was  James,  b. 

1735,  and  he  (James)  was  grandfather  of  the  late  Rev.  Samuel 
Nichols,  the  present  Hero  W.  Nichols,  James  Eustis,  etc.     He 
d.  1810,  aged  75. 

NICHOLS,  Samuel,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Herbert),  b.  1714;  m. 

1736,  Mary  Bancroft,  and  had  Sarah,  b.  1739. 

NICHOLS,  Richard,  son  of  John  and  Abigail,  b.  1682  ;  m.  1706,  Abigail 
Damon,  and  had  chil. :  Abigail,  b.  1708  ;  John,  b.  1711  ;  Mary, 
b.  1713  ;  Richard,  b.  1715  ;  Joshua,  b.  1718  ;  Hepzi.,  b.  1721 ; 
Mehitabel,  b.  1723  ;  Jacob,  b.  1726. 

NICHOLS,  Jona.,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Poole),  b.  1691;  m.,  ist,  1713 
Elizabeth  Boutwell ;  she  d.  1715  ;  m.,  2d,  1716,  Phebe,  dau.  of 
John  and  Dorcas  Eaton.  Chil.:  Jona.,  b.  1715,  and  d.  soon; 
Jona.,  b.  1717;  Elizabeth,  b.  1719;  Phebe,  b.  1721,  and  d., 
1749  ;  Benja.,  b.  1723  ;  Hepzi.,  b.  1726  ;  Joseph,  b.  1728  ;  Wm., 
b.  1731,  and  d.  1737  ;  Abigail,  b.  1734,  and  d.  1737. 

NICHOLS,  Timothy,  son  of  Capt.  Thos.  and  Rebecca,  b.  1702  ;  by  wife 
Hannah,  had  chil.:  Hepzibeth,  b.  1727;  Hannah,  b.  1729; 
Timothy  and  Thomas  (twins),  b.  1731 ;  Sarah,  b.  1737  ;  Moses, 
b.  1740;  Lucy,  b.  1743. 

NICHOLS,  Daniel,  son  of  Capt.  Thos.  and  Rebecca,  b.  1707  ;  m.  1729, 
Elizabeth  Batchelder,  and  had  chil. :  Daniel,  b.  1730 ;  Eliza- 
beth, b.  1732;  Didimus,  b.  1734;  Amos,  b.  1736;  Esther,  b. 
1738;  Abigail,  b.  1741. 

NICHOLS,  John,  son  of  Richard  and  Abigail,  b.  1711 ;  m.  1733,  Joanna, 
dau.  of  James  and  Mary  Nichols.  Chil.:  Hannah,  b.  1734; 
John,  b.  1736;  Abigail,  b.  1738  ;  David,1  b.  1741 ;  Kendall,  b. 

1  David  Nichols,  son  of  John  and  Joanna,  settled  in  Gardner,  was  father  of  Isaac, 
of  Gardner,  and  grandfather  of  Lyman  Nichols,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  president  of  Boston 
National  Bank. 


I00  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

1743;  Simon,  b.  1745;  William,  b.  1747,  and  was  grandfather 
of  Wm.  Nichols,  Esq.,  late  counsellor-at-law  in  South  Reading. 

NURSE,  Francis,  son  of  Francis  and  Rebecca,  of  Salem,  b.  1661.  His 
mother  was  executed  in  1692  for  witchcraft.  His  wife's  name 
was  Sarah,  and  his  chil.  were:  Francis,  b.  1688  ;  Benjamin,  b. 
1690,  and  m.  1713,  Elizabeth 'Roberts ;  Josiah,  b.  1694,  and  m. 
1717,  Mary  Eaton  ;  Jona.,  who  m.  Abigail . 

NURSE,  Francis,  son  of  Francis  and  Sarah,  b.  1688;  m.  1717,  Martha 
Hartshorne,  and  had  chil.:  Jona.,  b.  1719;  Martha,  b.  1722  ; 
Timothy,  b.  1724;  Samuel,  b.  1726;  Caleb,  b.  1729. 

PALFREY,  Peter,  was  of  Salem  in  1626  ;  a  representative  from  Salem  in 
1635  >  removed  to  Reading  as  early  as  1652  ;  was  selectman  in 
Reading  in  1652,  '3,  and  '7;  d.  1663,  "well  stricken  in  years"; 
was  a  man  who  was  "much  betrusted."  His  first  wife  was 
Edith ;  second  wife  was  Elizabeth,  widow  of  John  Fairfield,  of 
Salem  ;  third  wife  was  Alice,  who  d.  1677,  "far  stricken  in 
years."  Chil.  :  by  first  wife,  Jonathan,  b.  1635  ;  Jehoidan,  Mary, 
Remember,  and  perhaps  others.  Jehoidan  m.  1661,  Benjamin 
Smith,  of  Reading,  and  d.  1662. 

PARKER,  Dea.  Thomas,  came  over  from  England  in  the  "  Susan  Ellen,' 
in  1635,  at  the  age  of  30 ;  stopped  first  at  Lynn  ;  was  a  freeman 
in  1637.  His  son  Nathaniel  removed  to  the  West  Parish  among 
its  early  settlers,  and  was  the  common  ancestor  of  the  West 
Parish  Parkers.  D'ea.  Thomas  lived  in  the  easterly  part  of  the 
town,  on  the  place  where  his  descendant  and  namesake,  and 
official  successor,  the  late  Dea.  Thomas  Parker  lived,  and  where 
he  d.  in  1822.  His  wife's  name  was  Amy.  He  was  selectman. 
He  d.  in  1683,  aged  78,  and  his  wid.  d.  1690.  Chil. :  Hana- 
niah,  b.  1638  ;  Thomas;  Joseph,  b.  1642,  and  d.  soon;  Joseph, 
b.  1645,  and  d.  soon  ;  Mary,  b.  1647  ;  Martha,  b.  1649  >  Nathan- 
iel, b.  1651;  Sarah,  b.  1653,  and  d.  soon;  Jona.,  b.  1656; 
Sarah,  b.  1658  ;  John. 

PARKER,  Lt.  Hananiah,  son  of  Dea,  Thomas  and  Amy,  b.  1638 ;  m., 
ist,  1663,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Nicholas  Brown;  succeeded  to  his 
father's  homestead ;  was  a  freeman  in  1679  ;  his  wife,  Eliza- 
beth, d.  1698;  m.,  2d,  1700,  Mary,  dau.  of  Wm.  Bursham,  of 
Watertown,  and  wid.  of  Dea.  John  Bright,  of  Watertown.  He 
was  selectman,  town  clerk,  and  representative,  and  perhaps 
captain.  He  d.  1724,  aged  85,  and  his  wid.  Mary  d.  1736,  aged 
86.  Chil. :  John,  b.  1664 ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1668,  and  m.  1685, 
Nath1  Cowdrey;  Sarah,  b.  1672,  and  d.  soon;  Hananiah,  b. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  IOI 

1674,  and  d.  soon;  Ebenezer,  b.  1676,  and  m.   1697,  Rebecca 
Newhall  ;  Hananiah,  b.  1681,  and  d.  soon. 

PARKER,  Sergt.  John,  son  of  Dea.  Thomas  and  Amy  ;  settled  on  Cow- 
drey's  Hill,  where  M.  F.  Leslie  has  since  resided  ;  m.,  ist,  1667, 
Hannah,  dau.  of  Dea.  Thomas  Kendall  ;  she  d.  1689  ;  m.,  2d, 
Thankful.  He  d.  1698.  Chil.  :  John,  b.  1668;  Thomas,  b. 
1670,  and  d.  1689  ;  Hannah,  b.  1672,  and  d.  1689  ;  Rebecca,  b. 

1675,  and  d.  1689;  Kendall,  b.  1677  ;  Abigail,  b.  1679,  and  d. 
soon;  Jonathan,  b.   1681  ;  Daniel,  b.   1686;  Abigail,  b.  1688, 
and  d.  soon;  Hananiah,  b.  1691  ,  Rebecca,  b.  1693;  Thomas, 
b.  1695  >  Elizabeth,  b.  1698. 

PARKER,  Thomas,  son  of  Dea.  Tho.  and  Amy  ;  by  wife  Deborah  had 
chil.  :  Thomas,  b.  1668;  Samuel,  b.  1670;  Sarah,  b.  1672; 
Deborah,  b.  1674;  Jona.,  b.  1678,  and  d.  soon;  Elizabeth,  b. 
1681  ;  Abigail,  b.  1683,  and  in.  1710,  Henry  Merrow;  Ruth,  b. 

1686,  and  d.  1705  ;  Joseph,  b.   1688,  and  m.  1711,  Elizah,  dau. 
of  Jona.  Eaton. 

PARKER,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Dea.  Tho.  and  Amy,  b.  1651  ;  m.  1677,  Be- 
thiah  Polly,  who  was  probably  the  dau.  of  John  Polly,  of  Rox- 
bury,  whose  wife  Bethiah  was  dau.  of  Dea.  Wm.  Cowdrey,  of 
Reading,  and  whose  dau.  Bethiah  was  bap.  1659.  He,  Nathan- 
iel, settled  in  the  West  Parish,  near  where  is  now  the  centre  of 
Reading  (on  the  Sanborn  Place,  where  it  is  said  he  built  the 
first  house  in  the  West  Parish).  He  was  the  first  person  interred 
in  the  West  Parish  grave-yard.  Chil.  :  Bethiah,  b.  1678,  and  d. 
soon  ;  Nathaniel,  b.  1679  •>  Stephen,  b.  1684,  and  d.  soon;  Be- 
thiah, b.  1685,  and  m.  1707,  Ebenezer  Emerson;  Susanna,  b. 

1687,  and  m.  1707,  Joseph  Underwood  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1689,  and 
m.  1714,  Mercy  Damon;  Stephen,  b.  1692,  and  m.  1713,  Eliza- 
beth Batchelder;  Caleb,  b.  1694;  Timothy,  b.  1696;  Obadiah, 
b.   1698;   Abigail,  b.  1699;    Amy,   b.   1701;    Amy,   b.  1702; 
Phineas,  b.  1704. 

PARKER,  Samuel,  son  of  Thomas  and  Deborah,  b.  1670  ;  m.,  ist,  Martha  ; 
m.,  2d,  Hannah.  Chil.  :  Martha,  b.  1689  ;  Nicholas,  b.  1697,  at 
Lynn  ;  Samuel,  b.  1701  ;  Hannah,  b.  1703  ;  Ruth,  b.  1709  ; 
Joseph,  b.  1701;  Eunice,  b.  1712,  in  Woburn  ;  Elizabeth,  b. 


PARKER,  John,  son  of  Hananiah  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1664  ;  by  wife  Deliv- 
erance had  chil.  :  Hananiah,  b.  1691,  and  d.  1711,  at  Port  Royal, 
N.  S.,  while  in  the  military  expedition  ;  Andrew,  b.  1693  >  Josiah, 
b.  1694;  Mary,  b.  1695,  and  d.  1709;  John,  b.  and  d.  1696; 


I02  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Ede,  b.  1697  ;  John,  b.  1703.  He,  the  father,  removed  to  Lex- 
ington, where  his  wife  d.  in  1718,  and  where  he  d.  in  1741,  aged 
77.  He  was  the  ancestor  of  the  late  Rev.  Theodore  Parker, 
and  of  Capt.  John  Parker,  who  commanded  the  Lexington  com- 
pany on  the  i Qth  April,  1775. 

PARKER,  John,  son  of  John  and  Hannah,  b.  1668  ;  m.  1691  or  4,  Eliza- 
beth, and  settled  near  the  Aaron  Parker  place  in  W.  Parish, 
where  he  built  third  house  of  that  Parish.  Chil. :  Elizabeth,  b. 
1695,  and  d.  1703;  John,  b.  1697;  Abigail,  b.  1699;  John,  b. 
1701;  Benjamin,  b.  1703;  Elizabeth,  b.  1704;  Elizabeth,  b. 
1706;  Joseph,  b.  1707,  and  d.  soon;  Mary,  b.  1710;  Joseph, 
b.  1711 ;  Tho.,  b.  1716. 

PARKER,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Hananiah  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1676  ;  m.  1697, 
Rebecca  Newhall,  and  had  chil. :  Elizabeth,  b.  1698  ;  Eben- 
ezer, b.  and  d.  1699 ;  Ebenezer,  b.  about  1701 ;  Hepzi.,  b.  and 
d.  1703  ;  Rebecca,  b.  1706  ;  Sarah,  b.  1711 ;  Hananiah,  b.  1714. 

PARKER,  Kendall,  son  of  Sergt.  John  and  Hannah,  b.  1677  ;  by  wife 
Ruth  had  chil. :  Ruth,  b.  1704,  and  m.  1722,  Joseph  Bancroft, 
and  was  the  grandmother  of  the  late  Joseph  Hopkins  ;  Mary, 
b.  1712,  and  m.  1738,  John  Goodwin.  He  was  justice  of  the 
peace,  etc.  He  succeeded  to  his  father's  homestead. 

PARKER,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Bethiah,  b.  1679  ;  by  wife 
Elizabeth  had  chil.:  Elizabeth,  b.  1703;  Phineas,  b.  1704; 
Bethiah,  b.  1707,  and  m.  Hezekiah  Winn,  of  Wilmington ; 
Nathaniel,  b.  1710;  Lydia,  b.  1716;  Nathan,  b.  1719,  and  lived 
in  the  West  Parish  ;  built  the  house  now  owned  by  James  Davis  ; 
was  captain,  and  father  of  the  late  Col.  Nathan  Parker,  and 
grandfather  of  the  late  Hon.  Edmund  Parker;  Mehitabel,  b. 
1721  ;  Caleb,  b.  1725. 

PARKER,  Jonathan,  son  of  Sergt.  John  and  Hannah,  b.  1681 ;  m.,  ist, 
1700,  Mehitabel  Bancroft ;  she  d.  1703  ;  m.,  2d,  1706,  Barbara 
Elseley.  Chil. :  Mehitabel,  b.  and  d.  1703  ;  Sarah,  b.  1708  ; 
Mary,  b.  1709,  and  d.  1710;  Mary,  b.  1711 ;  Hannah,  b.  1716  ; 
David,  b.  1719;  Amy,  b.  1720;  Hepzi.,  b.  1723;  Daniel,  b. 
1725  ;  Elisha,  b.  1727. 

PARKER,  Jonathan,  Jr. ;  probably  a  grandson  of  Dea.  Thomas ;  m. 
1706,  Anna  Flint,  and  had  chil. :  Timothy,  b.  1711  ;  Anna,  b. 
1714;  John,  b.  1717  ;  Mary,  b.  1719  ;  Kendall,  b.  1723. 

PARKER,  Ebenezer ;  probably  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Rebecca,  and  b. 
about  1701  ;  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Vinton) 
Green,  Chil.:  Ebenezer,  b.  1723;  Thomas,  b.  1725  ;  Hannah, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


103 


b.  1727;  Rebecca,  b.  1730;  Lois  and  Eunice  (twins),  b.  1732; 
Mary,  b.  1734;  Green,  b.  1736;  Joshua,  b.  1738;  Susanna,  b. 
1740.  The  father  d.  1753  ;  the  mother  d.  1756. 

PARKER,  Thomas  ;  probably  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Hannah,  and  b. 
1725  ;  m.  1749,  Sarah  Parker,  and  had  chil.  :  Thomas  (Deacon), 
b.  1751,  and  m.  1773,  Sarah  Richardson,  and  had  no  chil.; 
Phebe,  b.  1757  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1754,  and  m.  1779,  Lucretia  Rich- 
ardson ;  Lydia,  b.  1763,  and  m.  1785,  Herbert  Richardson  ;  Wil- 
liam, b.  1759,  and  d.  1776,  at  Stillwater,  in  the  American  army  ; 
Ichabod,  b.  1761,  and  m.  1785,  Abigail  Eaton  ;  Hananiah  and 
James  (twins),  b.  1765  ;  Hananiah  m.  1787,  Molly  Pope  ;  James, 
d-  1783  ;  Jacob,  b.  1767,  and  m.  1787,  Martha  Gould  ;  Lucy,  b. 


PEARSON,  John  ;  one  of  the  earliest  settlers,  and  one  of  the  first  seven 
church  members.  He  d.  in  1679,  aged  64,  and  his  widow, 
Maudlin,  d.  1690.  Chil.  :  John,  b.  1650,  and  James,  b.  1652. 

PEARSON,  John,  son  of  John  and  Maudlin,  b.  1650;  m.  Tabitha,  dau. 
of  Dea.  Tho.  Kendall.  Chil.  :  Tabitha,  b.  about  1676,  and  m. 
1696,  John  Goodwin;  James,  b.  1678,  and  m.  1698,  Hepzibeth 
Swain  ;  John,  b.  and  d.  1682  ;  John,  b.  about  1684,  and  m.  1706, 
Elizabeth  Batcheller;  Rebecca,  b.  1686;  Kendall,  b.  1688; 
Susanna,  b.  1690,  and  m.  1710,  Daniel  Gould;  Mary,  b.  1692, 
and  m.  1709,  Joseph  Eaton. 

NOTE.     This  family  removed  to  Lynnfield  about  1689. 

PHELPS,  John,  came  from  Salem,  and  settled  in  the  North  Precinct  ;  d. 
before  1688.  He  had  a  wife  whose  name  may  have  been  Abi- 
gail, and  by  whom  he  probably  had  the  following  children,  most 
of  whom  were  probably  born  in  Salem  :  Abigail,  b.  1669  ;  John, 
b.  1671  ;  Henry,  b.  1673  ;  Joseph,  b.  1675  ;  Abigail,  b.  1678  ; 
Samuel,  b.  1680  ;  Hannah,  b.  1683  ;  and  by  his  second  wife  had  : 
Elizabeth,  b.  1702,  and  Mary,  b.  1706. 

PHELPS,  John,  son  of  John  and  Abigail,  b.  1671  ;  m.  1701,  Elizabeth, 
dau.  of  John  Putnam,  of  Salem,  and  had  chil.  :  Elizabeth,  b. 
s  1702  ;  Mary,  b.  1706. 

PHIPPS,  John,  by  wife  Mary  had  John,  b.  1699. 

PIERPONT,  Jonathan,  fourth  minister  of  Reading,  son  of  Robert  and 
Sarah  (Lynde)  Pierpont,  of  Roxbury,  b.  1665,  Har.  Coll.  1685  ; 
ordained  at  Reading,  1689  ;  m.  1691,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Ed- 
mund Angier,  of  Cambridge.  Chil.:  Elizabeth,  b.  1693,  and 
m.  1716,  Tobijah  Perkins,  of  Topsfield;  Jonathan,  b.  1695; 


IQ4  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Sarah,  b.   1697,   and   m.   1721,    Enoch   Sawyer,  of  Newbury 
Thomas,  b.  1700;  Har.  Coll.  1721 ;  settled  in  Danvers,  and  d. 
1753  ;  Anna,  m.,  ist,  Edmund  Gale,  of  Marblehead,  and,  2d, 

Ring,  of  Marblehead;  Joseph,  b.  1706;  Mary,  b.   1708, 

and  m.  1727,  Joseph  Bancroft.  Rev.  Jonathan  d.  1709.  He 
lived  on,  or  near,  the  corner. of  Main  and  Albion  Streets.  The 
following  extracts,  from  a  journal  kept  by  Mr.  Pierpont  in  his 
early  life,  will  furnish  some  idea  of  his  feelings  and  style  of 
thought  and  expression  at  about  the  time  of  his  settlement  here, 
and  before  and  after :  — 

44  July  10,  1682.  I  was  admitted  a  member  of  Colledg.  Mr.  J.  Cotton,  a  pious  and 
learned  man,  was  my  Tutor.  It  pleased  God  to  awaken  me  by  the  Death  of  y* 
pious  Youth,  Edw.  Dudley.  I  thought  it  would  go  ill  with  me  if  God  should  sud- 
denly take  me  away. 

"July  i,  1685.    I  took  my  first  degree. 

44  July  4,  1685.    I  removed  from  Cambridge  to  my  father's  house. 

"  Feb.  i,  1686.  I  went  to  Dorchester  to  keep  school.  While  I  lived  at  Dorchester 
it  pleased  God  to  awaken  me  by  the  word  preached. 

44  Aug.  8,  1686.  I  'preached  my  first  sermon  at  Milton ;  Text :  i  Pet  5  :  5.  And 
giveth  grace  to  the  humble." 

44  July  i,  1687.  I  was  invited  to  preach  at  Deadham,  for  a  quarter  of  a  year.  By 
the  advice  of  Ministers  and  my  friends  I  accepted  the  Call. 

"Sept.  1 8,  1687.  The  church  at  Deadham  with  the  town  invited  me  to  continue 
in  the  work  of  the  Ministry  in  order  to  settlement. 

44  Nov.  8,  1687.    I  had  an  invitation  to  the  work  of  the  Ministry  at  New  London. 

41  Nov.  13,  1687.  I  was  again  called  to  settle  at  Deadham,  But  meeting  with  Op- 
position, I  was  discouraged  from  accepting  the  call. 

"  Dec.  18,  1687.  I  gave  this  answer,  '  That  I  did  not  see  my  way  clear  to  settle 
among  them,'  and  so  I  took  my  leave  of  the  people  of  Deadham. 

41  Feb.  19,  1688.     I  joyned  in  ful  comunion  with  the  Church  of  Ch't  in  Roxbury. 

44  Apl.  12,  1688.    I  had  a  call  to  preach  the  word  at  Sandwich. 

"  May  5,  1688.  A  public  Fast,  appointed  by  reason  of  a  sore  drought ;  —  when  the 
afternoon  Exercise  began,  God  sent  a  plenteous  rain. 

44  May  16,  1688.    I  had  a  call  to  the  work  of  the  Ministry  at  Newberry  Village. 

"  May  22,  1688.    I  had  a  call  to  Northfield. 

44  June  19,  1688.  I  went  to  the  Funeral  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brock,  at  Reading.  I 
took  notice  that  the  good  people  much  lamented  the  death  of  their  Pastor.  He  was 
a  man  who  excelled  most  men  in  Faith,  Prayer,  and  private  Conference.  After  the 
Funeral  I  was  Desired  by  some  of  the  principal  persons  in  the  place  to  preach  among 
them  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  July. 

"July  i,  1688.     I  preached  at  Reading.     Text :  Heb.  12  :  5. 

"July  4,  1688.    I  took  my  second  degree. 

"  July  15,  1688.  I  preached  again  at  Reading,  and  being  desired,  I  continued  to 
be  helpful  at  that  place,  till  I  went  to-  Sandwich. 

44  Aug.  8,  1688.  I  went  to  Sandwich,  according  to  my  promise,  and  continued  there 
a  month.  The  people  there  were  very  desirous  of  my  settlement  among  them.  But 
I  kept  myself  free  from  an  engagement  to  them,  as  my  Father  counselled  me. 


Of    THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  Io^ 

"  Sept  9,  1688.  I  was  helpful  at  Reading.  The  people  at  Reading  gave  me  a 
Call.  I  was  in  a  great  strait,  and  knew  not  which  way  to  move.  I  had  inclinations 
to  go  to  Sandwich :  ist,  Because  I  saw  there  was  an  opportunity  to  do  service  for 
Ch*  in  y*  place  ;  2d,  The  generality  of  the  people  (except  the  Quakers)  were  Desir- 
ous of  my  coming  among  them  ;  3d,  The  young  men  in  y«  place  were  in  danger  of 
being  drawn  away  by  the  Quakers,  if  a  minister  was  not  speedily  settled  among  them. 
The  people  of  Reading  urged  me  to  accept  their  invitation.  They  told  me :  ist 
They  had  observed  remarkable  Providences,  directing  and  leading  them  to  make 
choice  of  me  for  their  minister ; 

2d.     They  were  unanimous  in  their  Calling  me  ; 

3d.     The  town  was  in  great  danger  of  being  divided,  if  I  accepted  not  their  call ; 

4th.     The  young  people  were  very  desirous  of  my  coming  among  them  ; 

5th.  The  longer  I  was  with  them,  the  more  desirous  were  they  of  Enjoying  my 
labors. 

"  I  looked  up  to  God  and  waited  on  him  to  lead  me  in  the  way  wherein  he  would 
have  me  go.  I  asked  advice  of  the  Reverend  Elders  what  to  do  in  my  present  case. 
Some  counselled  me  to  go  to  Sandwich,  but  the  most  were  for  my  going  to  Reading. 

1  asked  Counsel  of  my  Relations.     They  advised  me  to  accept  the  call  at  Reading. 
My  Honored  Father  was  averse  to  my  going  to  Sandwich.     He  once  told  me,  he  had 
often  sought  to  God  to  discover  his  mind  to  him  in  this  matter  ;  and  the  oftener  he 
comended  this  case  to  God,  the  more  unwilling  he  was  that  I  should  go  to  Sandwich. 
His  words  had  great  influence  on  me.     After  some  time  I  thought  God  called  me  to 
service  at  Reading.     My  way  seemed  to  be  cleer  to  go  thither. 

"Nov.  28,  1688.     I  removed  to  Reading  and  lived  with  Capt  Savage. 

"Dec.  6,  1688.  We  kept  a  public  Fast  at  Reading  to  seek  unto  God  for  his  pres- 
ence with  us,  in  the  work  before  us. 

"  Jan'y  30,  1689.  The  church  in  Reading  invited  me  to  accept  the  office  of  a  Pas- 
tor among  them. 

"  Feb.  27,  1689.     We  kept  another  public  Fast. 

"  May  29,  1689.     A  Fast  was  kept  by  the  church  and  town  of  Reading. 

"June  26,  1689.     I  was  ordained  Pastor  of  y«  Church  of  Ch*  in  Reading.     Text: 

2  Cor.  2:16.     Mr.  Morton  gave  me  the  charge.     Mr.  C.  Mather  gave  me  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship. 

"  Aug.  12.     I  began  publicly  to  catechise  the  children  in  Reading. 

"  Dec.  31.  Mr.  Fox,  Mr.  C.  and  myself  with  some  others  kept  a  day  of  Prayer  for 
a  maid  who  was  deprived  of  the  use  of  her  reason.  It  pleased  God  to  give  a  remark- 
able answer  to"  y8  prayers  put  up  to  him,  for  before  the  day  was  ended,  the  use  of  her 
understanding  was  wonderfully  restored  to  her." 

"Aug.  13,  1690.  This  day  my  horse  threw  me,  but  God  preserved  my  Life  and 
Limbs. 

"  OcL  8,  1690.  I  had  the  preceding  week  an  impulse  on  my  spirit  to  set  this  day 
apart  for  public  prayers  to  God  for  our  friends  who  were  gone  to  Canada.  When  I 
proposed  the  matter  to  the  Congregation,  some  desired  that  it  might  be  deferred.  I 
answered,  we  know  not  what  need  our  friends  might  stand  in  of  our  prayers.  I  have 
since  been  informed  that  on  this  day  they  engaged  with  their  enemies.  And  it 
pleased  God  that  not  a  man  that  went  from  this  town  was  slain. 

"  Dec.  10.  We  spent  time  in  prayer  to  God  for  our  friends  who  were  returned 
from  Canada,  and  were  sick  of  a  sore  fever.  And  though  many  of  them  were  likely 
to  die,  yet  they  all  soon  recovered. 


I06  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

"July  30,  1691.  Having  obtained  the  consent  of  my  parents,  I  gave  Mrs.  E.  A.  a 
visit 

(NOTE.  —  The  prefix  of  Mrs.  to  the  name  of  a  maiden  was  not  uncommon  in  early 
times.) 

"  Oct  29,  1691.     I  was  marryed  to  Mrs.  E.  A.,  a  pious  and  prudent  Person. 

"  Feb.  25,  1693.     Our  first  child  was  born,  which  was  a  daughter." 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Green,  of  Danvers,  who  attended  the  funeral 
of  Mr.  Pierpont,  says :  "  There  was  a  general  lamentation  ;  he 
was  a  man  of  great  worth."  Judge  Sewall,  in  his  journal,  June 
3,  1709,  writes  :  "Rev.  Mr.  Pierpont  dies  at  Reading,  a  very 
great  loss.  June  6,  Artillery  day,  I  went  with  Mr.  John  Wil- 
liams, of  Deerfield,  to  ye  funeral  of  Mr.  Pierpont  at  Reading. 
His  bearers  were  Leverett,  Brattle,  Wadsworth,  Colman,  Green, 
Fox  Mr.  Jona.  Corwin  and  I  followed  next  after  the  relations ; 
none  else  of  the  Council  were  there."  The  wife  of  the  late  Dr. 
John  Hay,  of  South  Reading,  was  the  granddaughter  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Pierpont. 

PIERPONT,  Jona,  son  of  Rev.  Jonathan,  b.  1695  ;  Har.  Coll.  1714.  In 
1715,  he  was  appointed  schoolmaster  at  Reading,  at  ^40  per 
year. 

PIKE,  James,  came  from  Charlestown ;  had  wives,  Naomi  and  Sarah. 
Chil. :  Jeremiah;  John,  b.  1653;  Zachariah,  b.  1638,  and  perhaps 
James.  His  wife  Sarah  d.  1693,  and  he  died  1699. 

PIKE,  Jeremiah,  son  of  James,  m.  1671,  Rachel  Leffingwell,  dau.  prob- 
ably of  Michael,  of  Woburn.  Chil. :  Jeremiah,  b.  1674  ;  James, 
b.  1676,  and  d.  soon  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1677  >  Michael,  b,  1678  ; 
James,  b.  1679  ;  Rachel,  b.  1681 ;  Wm.,  b.  1687. 

PIKE,  James,  perhaps  brother  of  the  last  named;  m.  1681,  Hannah, 
dau.  of  Nathaniel  Cutler.  Chil.  :  James,  b.  1682  ;  Martha,  b. 
1685  ;  John,  b.  1687  ;  Samuel,  b.  1690  ;  Jona.,  b.  1693  ;  Han- 
nah, b.  1695. 

POLLY,  John,  son,  probably,  of  George,  of  Woburn,  m.  1681,  Mary 
Everett,  perhaps  sister  of  Francis.  Child  :  Elizabeth,  b.  1683. 
He  removed  to  Woburn,  and  had  other  children. 

POLLY,  Edward,  by  wife  Mary  had  chil. :  Mary,  b.  1696  ;  Elizabeth,  b. 
1698  ;  Edward,  b.  1699. 

POOLE,  John ;  came  here  from  Lynn ;  was  at  Cambridge  in  1632  ;  was 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Reading,  and  probably  the  wealth-' 
iest.     He  lived  on  the  present  site  of  Wakefield's  rattan  factory, 
where  he  built  the  first  grist-mill  and  fulling  mill  of  the  town. 
He  also  owned  much  land  at  the  north  end  of  the  Great  Pond, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


lO/ 


including  the  farm  lately  owned  by  Dea.  Caleb  Wakefield,  and 
extending  easterly,  included  the  late  Newcomb  mill,  where  said 
Poole  erected  the  first  saw-mill,  and  included  also  the  present 
farm  of  heirs  of  Benjamin  Cox,  of  Lynnfield.  He  divided  his 
estate  between  his  son  Jonathan  and  his  grandson  John.  His 
wife  Margaret  d.  in  1662,  and  he  d.  in  1667.  Chil.  :  Jona.,  b. 
1634,  and  succeeded  to  the  homestead  ;  Mary,  who  m.  1657, 
Matthew  Edwards,  and  perhaps  Sarah,  wife  of  Wm.  Barrett. 

POOLE,  Capt.  Jonathan,  son  of  John  and  Margaret,  b.  1634,  probably 
at  Cambridge.  Succeeded  his  father  on  the  homestead,  and 
also  owned,  in  conjunction  with  his  son  John,  much  land  at  the 
north  end  of  the  pond.  Was  the  second  captain  of  the  Reading 
company.  "Was  much  valued  in  Philip's  Indian  war;"  "was 
a  Captain  under  Major  Appleton,  at  Hadley  ; "  "  was  President 
of  a  Council  of  War  in  the  winter  of  1675-6  ;"  was  selectman 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  representative,  and  d.  1678,  aged  44. 
By  wife  Judith  had  chil.  :  Sarah,  b.  1656,  and  m.  1673,  Thomas 
Bancroft;  Judith,  b.  1658,  and  m.  1681,  Wm.  Hescy ;  Mary,  b. 
1660,  and  d.  1661  ;  Mary,  b.  1662,  and  m.  1682,  James  Nichols  ; 
John,  b.  1665;  Jonathan,  b.  1667  ;  Thomas,  b.  1673,  and  m. 
1695,  Rebecca ;  William,  b.  1677;  Elizabeth,  b.  1678. 

POOLE,  John,  son  of  Capt.  Jonathan  and  Judith,  b.  1665  ;  lived  at  the 
north  end  of  the  Great  Pond.  His  grandfather  John  Poole 
bequeathed  him  one  half  of  his  estate  in  that  vicinity,  including 
the  late  residence  and  farm  of  Dea.  Caleb  Wakefield,  the  "  New- 
comb  Mill,"  and  the  "Benja.  Cox  Farm  in  Lynnfield."  Was  a 
lieutenant ;  d.  1721,  aged  56.  By  wife  Mary  had  chil.  :  John,  b. 
1688  ;  Nathaniel,  b.  1691. 

POOLE,  Jonathan,  Esq.,  son  of  Capt.  Jona.  and  Judith,  b.  1667  ;  suc- 
ceeded his  father  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  the  Rattan 
Works;  m.  1691  or  '92,  Bridget  Fitch.  They  both  died  in 
1723,  he  at  the  age  of  56.  He  was  selectman  and  justice  of 
the  peace.  Chil. :  Jona.,  b.  1692  ;  Benja.,  b.  1694 ;  Zachariah, 
b.  1696,  and  d.  1698 ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1698,  and  m.  1720,  Nicholas 
Belknap,  of  Boston;  Samuel,  b.  1700;  Wm.,  b.  1702;  Zach- 
ariah2'1, b.  1708,  and  lived  on  the  place  formerly  owned  by 
Dea.  Jacob  Eaton,  at  the  corner  of  Crescent  and  Eaton  Streets  ; 
sold  and  removed  to  Medford  ;  Mary,  b.  1711  ;  Judith,  b.  1714, 
and  d.  1714;  Bridget.  His  will,  made  1723,  divided  his  real 
estate  among  his  sons  Benjamin,  Samuel,  and  Zachariah ;  and 
after  providing  for  his  wife  Bridget,  and  remembering  his 


I03  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

daughters  Elizabeth  (Belknap),  Bridget,  and  Mary,  goes  on  to 
say:  — 

"  I  give  to  Jonathan  (the  eldest  son),  my  cloak  and  cane,  and  this  is  over  and  above 
what  I  had  given  him  before,  by  Deed,  which  I  count  was  more  than  a  double  portion 
—  that  I  gave  by  Deed." 

POOLE,  John,  son  of  Lieut.  John  and  Mary,  b.  1688.  He  succeeded 
his  father  on  his  homestead  at  the  north  end  of  the  Pond.  By 
wife  Sarah  had  chil. :  John,  b.  1713  ;  Nathaniel ;  James;  Jona- 
than, b.  1720;  Sarah,  b.  1721,  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1724.  He  d. 
1758,  aged  70. 

POOLE,  Jonathan,  son  of  Esq.  Jona.  and  Bridget,  b.  1692  ;  by  wife 
Esther,  had  Esther,  b.  1717  ;  lived  on  the  place  now  occupied 
by  the  Rattan  Works ;  sold  out  his  paternal  homestead  and  re- 
moved to  Lynnfield,  retaining,  it  is  hoped,  the  old  "  cloak  and 
cane  "  which  he  inherited  from  tiis  father. 

POOLE,  Benja.,  son  of  Esq.  Jona.  and  Bridget,  b.  1694;  m.  Mehitabel, 
dau.  of  Benja.  Gibson,  of  Boston.  Lived  on  the  place  now 
owned  by  heirs  of  late  Leonard  Wiley ;  was  selectman  and  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  and  d.  1732,  aged  38,  much  lamented.  Chil. : 
Benjamin,  b.  1725  ;  removed  to  Woburn  ;  William,  b.  1726 ;  re- 
moved to  Danvers,  and  was  ancestor  of  Fitch  Poole,  Esq.,  of 
,,.;  Danvers;  Mehitabel,  b.  1728,  and  m.  Capt.  Joseph  Fitch,  of 
Boston;  James,  b.  1729  ;  Bridget,  b.  1731. 

POOLE,  Samuel,  son  of  Esq.  Jona.  and  Bridget,  b.  1700;  lived  on  the 
Common  on  the  old  Tavern  place  ;  by  wife  Rebecca,  had  chil. : 
Rebecca,  b.  1731,  and  d.  1737  ;  Samuel,  b.  1733  ;  Jonathan,  b. 
1737,  and  m.  1760,  Sarah  Eaton,  and  succeeded  his  uncle  Benj. 
Poole,  on  the  place  recently  occupied  by  his  grandson  Leonard 
Wiley;  Mary,  b.  1740  ;  Thomas,  b.  1744,  and  d.  soon  ;  Thomas, 
b.  1749,  and  m.  1771,  Mary  Parker.  Mr.  Samuel  d.  1752. 

POOLE,  Jonathan,  son  of  John  and  Sarah,  b.  1720;  lived  on  the  place 
recently  sold  by  Dea.  Caleb  Wakefield  ;  was  grandfather  of  Dea. 
Wakefield's  first  wife.  By  wife  Mary  Leman,  whom  he  m.  at 
Charlestown  in  1741,  had  chil. :  Jonathan,  b  1747,  and  m.  1769, 
Anne  Bancroft,  and  was  grandfather  of  Hon.  H.  Poole  Wake- 
field  ;  Sarah,  b.  1749;  Samuel  Sheldon,  b.  1751,  and  removed 
to  Nova  Scotia;  Timothy,  b.  1753,  and  d.  soon  ;  Timothy,  b. 
1762 ;  m.,  ist,  Lucy  Pope,  and  m.,  2d,  Jerusha  Richardson, 
and  was  father  of  Dr.  Alexander  Poole  and  of  Franklin  Poole, 
Esq.,  now  residing  in  Wakefield. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


IO9 


NOTE.  —  The  Poole  family,  for  several  of  the   early  generations,  were  leather- 
dressers,  and  eminent  for  wealth,  talents,  and  influence. 

POOLE,  Samuel,  2d,  son  of  Samuel  and  Rebecca,  b.  1733,  by  wife 
Elizabeth  had  chil. :  Joseph  Eaton,  b.  1759  ;  Rebecca,  b.  1761, 
and  m.  1780,  Charles  Eaton,  and  d.  1836,  aged  76. 

POOLE,  Thomas,  son  of  Samuel  and  Rebecca,  b.  1749,  and  m.  1771, 
Mary  Parker,  had  chil.  :  Polly,  b.  1772  ;  Thomas,  b.  1773  ; 
Lucy,  b.  1775;  William,  b.  1778;  Nancy,  b.  1781;  Archibald, 
b.  1783;  and  Samuel.  (gJV&a.c.  ) 

PRATT,  John,  son  of  John  and  Rebecca  Pratt,  of  Medfield  (who  was  a 
blacksmith);  John  (the  son),  b.  about  1665;  m.  1691,  Sarah 
cVxS  removed  to  Reading  ;  lived  on  the  "Side  the  Pond,"  on 
the  "  John  White,  Sen.,  place,"  now  owned  by  Lucius  Beebe, 
Esq.  He  d.  1744,  in  his  8oth  year.  Chil. :  John,  b.  1692  ; 
Sarah,  b.  1694,  and  m.  1743,  Isaac  Smith  (second  wife);  Sam- 
uel, b.  1696;  Rebecca,  b.  1698,  and  m.  1722,  John  Damon; 
Edward,  b.  1700;  Timothy,  b.  1702.  His  wid.  d.  1751,  in  her 
8ist  year. 

PRATT,  Samuel,  son  of  John  and  Sarah,  b.  1696  ;  his  wife's  name  was 
Joanna.  Settled  in  the  easterly  part  of  the  West  Parish,  near 
where  Herrick  Batchelder's  heirs  now  own.  He  d.  1735. 
Chil.  :  Samuel,  b.  1719  ;  Joanna,  b.  1721  ;  John,  b.  1723,  and  d. 
1737;  Daniel,  b.  1725;  Mary,  b.  1727;  Ephraim,  b.  1729; 
Sarah,  b.  1731 ;  Sarah,  b.  1733.  Some  portion  of  this  family 
settled  on  the  Lovejoy  place  in  West  Parish. 

PRATT,  Timothy,  son  of  John  and  Sarah,  b.  1702  ;  m.,  ist,  1724, 
Tabitha,  dau.  of  John  and  Grace  Boutwell ;  succeeded  to  his 
father's  homestead.  Chil.  (by  first  wife) :  Dorcas,  b.  1725,  and 
m.  1750  to  Thomas  Wakefield,  grandfather  of  Dea.  Caleb  Wake- 
field  and  of  the  late  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Esq. ;  Timothy,  b.  and  d. 
1727  ;  Timothy,  b.  1730 ;  Tabitha,  b.  1734  ;  John,  b.  1737  ;  m., 
2d,  Abigail,  and  had  chil. :  Abigail,  b.  1738  ;  Isaac,  b.  1740,  and 
was  grandfather  of  the  present  Nathan  Parker  Pratt,  Esq.  ; 
Sarah,  b.  1744.  This  family,  a  portion  of  them,  early  removed 
to  the  late  Timothy  Wakefield  place,  and  to  the  place  now  owned 
by  the  said  Nathan  P.  Pratt,  in  West  Parish.  It  appears,  how- 
ever, that  John  Pratt,  probably  the  son  of  Timothy  aforesaid, 
was  living  on  the  old  homestead  by  the  "  Side  of  the  Pond,"  in 

1765. 

RICE,  Nicholas,  had  a  wife  Sarah  ;  she  d.  1698.  In  1692,  she  was 
charged  with  witchcraft  and  imprisoned  in  Boston  jail.  Her 


IIO  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

husband  petitioned  the  General  Court  for  her  release,  as  fol- 
•     lows :  — 

"  The  humble  petition  of  Nicholas  Rice  of  Reading  sheweth,  that  whereas  Sarah 
Rice,  wife  to  the  petitioner,  was  taken  into  custody,  the  first  day  of  June  last,  and  hath 
since  lain  in  Boston  Jail  for  witchcraft,  though  in  all  that  time  nothing  has  been  made 
to  appear,  for  which  she  deserved  imprisonment  or  death.  The  petitioner  has  been 
a  husband  to  the  said  woman  above  twenty  years,  in  all  which  time,  he  had  never 
reason  to  accuse  her  of  any  impietie  or  witchcraft ;  but  the  contrary,  she  lived  with 
him  as  a  good,  faithful,  dutiful  wife,  and  always  had  respect  to  the  ordinances  of  God, 
while  her  strength  remained ;  and  the  petitioner  on  that  consideration,  is  obliged  in 
conscience  and  justice  to  use  all  lawful  means  for  the  support  and  preservation  of  her 
life  ;  and  it  is  deplorable,  that  in  old  age,  the  poor  decrepid  woman  should  lye  under 
confinement  in  a  stinking  jail,  when  her  circumstances  rather  require  a  Nurse  to 
attend  her.  May  it  therefore  please  your  Honors  to  take  this  matter  into  your  pres- 
ent consideration,  and  direct  some  speedy  method,  whereby  this  ancient  and  decrepid 
person  may  not  forever  lye  in  such  misery,  wherein  her  life  is  made  more  afflictive  to 
her  than  death.  And  the  petitioner  shall,  as  in  duty  bound,  ever  pray. 

"NICHOLAS   RICE. 
"READING,  Oct.  19,  1692." 

(She  was  soon  after  discharged  from  prison  ) 

RICHARDSON,  John,  was  taxed  in  1686. 

ROBBINS,  William,  m.  1680,  Priscilla  James  ;  had  Elizabeth,  b.  1680  ; 
probably  removed  early  to  Boston. 

ROBERTS,  Abraham,  by  wife  Sarah  had  Mary,  b.  1681,  and  m.  1714, 
William  Shelton,  of  Salem.  The  following  may  also  have  been 
the  children  of  Abraham  and  Sarah  :  Sarah,  who  m.  1701,  Sam- 
uel Foster;  Ann,  who  m.  1707,  Caleb  Taylor;  Elizabeth,  who 
m.  1713,  Benjamin  Nurse;  Abigail,  who  m.  1721,  John  Eaton, 
and  Abraham,  who  m.  1726,  Elizabeth  Pierce. 

ROBERTS,  Giles,  by  wife  Deborah  had  a  dau.  :  Deborah,  b.  1711,  and  m. 
1731,  Ebenezer  Foster,  of  Wilmington.  This  Giles  may  have 
been  the  son  of  David  Roberts,  of  Woburn,  who  had  a  son 
Giles. 

ROGERS,  William,  had  chil. :  Mary,  b.  1669  ;  Abigail,  b.  1671 ;  William, 
b.  1672  ;  Sarah,  b.  1674  ;  John,  b.  1676;  Grace,  b.  1678. 

RUSSELL,  William,  by  wife  Elizabeth  had  Ebenezer,  b.  1688. 

RUSSELL,  Ebenezer,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1688  ;  by  wife 
Deborah  had  chil.  :  Deborah,  b.  1712,  and  m.  1729,  Joseph 
Mclntire  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1714;  Samuel,  b.  1716;  Nathan,  b. 
1718  ;  William,  b.  1721 ;  Stephen,  b.  1725  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1730. 

SADLER,  Richard,  owned  land  in  Reading ;  settled  in  Lynn  ;  was  town 
clerk  in  Lynn  in  1640  ;  returned  early  to  England.  He  owned 
a  tract  of  land  lying  between  Ipswich  River  and  Bare  Meadows 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  RFADING.  \\\ 

t 
that  was  called  from  him  "  Sadler's  Neck,"  now  the  southerly 

part  of  North  Reading.. 

SAVAGE,  Ephraim,  came  from  Boston  ;  was  a  captain.  His  first  wife 
was  Mary  Quincy,  of  Braintree.  His  second  wife  was  Sarah, 
wid.  of  Obadiah  Walker,  and  dau.  of  Rev.  Samuel  Haugh,  by 
whom  he  had  chil.  :  Sarah,  b.  1678  ;  Mary,  b.  1680  ;  Richard, 
b.  1682  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1685  ;  and  Hannah,  b.  1687,  at  which 
time  the  mother  died.  Capt.  Savage  m.,  3d,  1688,  Elizabeth, 
wid.  of  Timothy  Symmes,  and  dau.  of  Capt.  Francis  Norton,  of 
Charlestown,  by  whom  he  had  Hannah,  b.  1689.  His  third 
wife  d.  1710.  He  lived  in  Reading  not  many  years  ;  returned 
to  Boston,  where  he  had  a  fourth  wife.  Was  a  man  of  ability 
and  influence. 

SAWYER,  William,  by  Abigail  Lilley  had  Henry,  b.  1697  ;  m.  1700, 
Dorcas  Burnap,  and  had  other  chil. :  Dorcas,  b.  1701 ;  Rachel, 
b.  1703,  and  m.  1723,  Tho.  Rich  ;  Lydia,  b.  1705,  and  m.  1726, 
Daniel  Townsend,  of  Lynn;  William,  b.  1708,  and  m.  1730, 
Mary  Wood;  Isaac,  b.  1711;  Susanna,  b.  1717;  Bethiah,  b. 
1720;  and  probably  Jacob,  who  m.  1733,  Elizabeth  Damon. 

SAWYER,  Henry,  son  of  William  and  Abigail,  b.  1697  ;  m.  1718,  Sarah 
Nurse.  Chil. :  Abigail,  b.  1719  ;  Josiah,  b.  1721  ;  Reuben,  b. 
1723;  Sarah,  b.  1726;  Francis,  b.  1728;  Hepzi.,  b.  1730; 
Caleb,  b.  1732. 

NOTE.  —  The  Sawyer  family  settled  in  the  North  Precinct. 

SCOLLEY,  John,  was  taxed  in  1686  as  of  the  North  Precinct. 

SMITH,  Francis,  was  a  freeman  of  Watertown  in  1637  ;  stopped  awhile, 
it  is  said,  at  Chelsea  Ferry,  or  Rumney  Marsh,  and  came  to 
Reading  about  1647  ;  settled  at  the  north  end  of  Smith's  Pond 
(so  named  from  him) ;  he  owned  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  pond  and  extending  into  Woodville  (now  so 
called).  His  house  stood,  it  is  said,  near  where  is  now  Wake- 
field  Junction  railroad  Station.  He  was  selectman  ;  died  1651. 
Chil.  :  John  ;  Benjamin,  b.  at  Watertown,  1637  ;  Hannah,  who 
m.  1659,  Geo.  Lilley;  Mary,  who  m.  1664,  Jeremiah  Swain. 

SMITH,  John,  son  of  Francis  above  named ;  m.,  ist,  1647,  Catherine, 
dau.  of  Isaac  Morrill,  of  Roxbury ;  she  d.  1662;  m.,  2d,  1663, 
Mary  Bill,  who  may  have  been  the  Mary  Bill  said  to  have  been 
a  passenger  in  the  "  Planter,"  in  1635,  and  being  then  eleven 
years  old.  He  was  called  Lieut,  at  his  2d  marriage.  Chil. : 
John,  b.  1651;  Mary;  Sarah,  b.  and  d.  1654;  Isaac,  b.  1655  ; 


II2  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Benjamin,  b.  1657,  and  d.   1658;  Francis,  b.  1658;  Abraham, 
b.  1661  ;  James,  b.  1663  ;  Jemima,  b.  1670. 

SMITH,  Benjamin,  son  of  Francis,  b.  1637  ;  m.  1661,  Jehoadan,  dau.  of 
Peter  Palfrey;  she  died  1662,  and  he  died  1691.  Chil. :  Benj.> 
b.  1661,  and  d.  1662. 

SMITH,  Matthew,  probably  from  Woburn ;  ist  wife  was  Elizabeth,  who 
d.  1680;  m.,  2d,  1684,  Mary  Cutler,  at  which  time  he  is  called 
Sen.,  and  had  one  child :  Thomas. 

SMITH,  Francis,  Deacon,  son  of  John  and  Catherine,  b.  1658;  m.  Ruth, 
dau.  of  Elias  and  Ann  (Harris)  Maverick,  of  Charlestown  and 
Chelsea.  He  was  selectman,  town  clerk,  and  a  deacon  for  a 
long  time.  He  succeeded  to  the  old  homestead  of  his  father. 
His  wife  Ruth  d.  1717,  aged  62  ;  he  died  1744,  aged  85.  Chil. : 
John,  b.  1680 ;  Isaac,  b.  1682  ;  Abraham,  b.  1687  ;  James,  b. 
1690;  Catherine,  b.  1693,  and  m.  1714,  Samuel  Felch;  Benja- 
min, b.  1692  ;  Ruth,  b.  1694,  and  m.  1732,  John  Burnap ;  Mary, 
b.  1696,  and  m.  1722,  Abraham  Knowlton,  and  was  grandmother 
of  Hon.  John  Hart;  Elias,  b.  1698,  and  m.  1724,  Elizabeth 
Emerson. 

SMITH,  Samuel,  perhaps  from  Lynn ;  wife's  name  was  Priscilla ;  had 
chil. :  Samuel,  b.  1701;  John  and  Priscilla  (twins),  b.  1707; 
Mehitabel,  b.  1713. 

SMITH,  John,  eldest  son  of  Francis  and  Ruth,  b.  1680 ;  m.  1705,  Eliza- 
beth Lynde  ;  settled  in  Woodville  on  the  Almshouse  Farm,  and 
had  chil. :  Elizabeth,  b.  1706  ;  Ruth,  b.  1707,  and  m.  1732,  John 
Burnap;  John,  b.  1710;  m.  1738,  Ruth  Burnap,  and  subse- 
quently two  other  wives,  but  had  no  children  ;  was  deacon,  and 
succeeded  his  father  on  the  Almshouse  Farm  ;  Thomas,  b.  1712, 
settled  in  Lynn,  and  was  father  of  Sarah,  who  m.  Cornelius 
Sweetser,  of  South  Reading,  and  grandfather  of  John,  who  mar- 
ried Lois  Emerson;  Anna,  b.  1714;  Francis  b.  1716;  m.,  ist, 
1746,  Sarah  Boardman  ;  lived  on  the  place  long  owned  by  Widow 
Benjamin  Emerson  ;  was  deacon*  had  no  children  ;  made  Col. 
Amos  Boardman,  his  wife's  nephew,  his  heir;  m.,  2d,  Widow 
James  (Boutwell)  Bryant;  Joseph,  b.  1719,  who  was  father  of 
Joe  Smith  the  idiot. 

SMITH,  Isaac,  son  of  Francis  and  Ruth,  b.  1682  ;  lived  on  the  place 
formerly  occupied  by  Dr.  John  Hart.  His  first  wife's  name  was 
Mary  Pierce,  of  Charlestown  (Stoneham),  whom  he  m.  1709; 
she  d.  1740  ;  m.,  2d,  1743,  Sarah  Pratt;  he  d.  1779,  in  his  gSth 
year.  Chil.:  Mary,  b.  1710,  and  m.  Michael  Sweetser;  Sarah, 


OF  THE    TOIVN  OF  READING.  U^ 

b.  1712  ;  Abigail,  b.  1713,  and  d.  1724;  Martha,  b.  1715,  and  m. 
1734,  Samuel  Noyes,  of  Newbury;  Isaac,  b.  1717;  m.  1741, 
Susanna  Wiley  ;  Jonathan,  b.  1719,  and  m.  1743,  Martha  Webb, 
of  Woburn;  Catherine,  b.  1721,  and  m.  1739,  Joseph  Woodman, 
of  Newbury;  Phebe,  b.  1723  ;  Abigail,  b.  1725,  and  m.  1754, 
Samuel  Damon;  Timothy,  b.  1729,  and  m.  1751,  Mary  Damon, 
and  settled  in  Amherst,  N.  H. ;  Maverick,  b.  1732,  and  m.  1754, 
Martha  Smith,  and  settled  in  Amherst,  N.  H.  ;  and  perhaps 
Samuel. 

SMITH,  Abraham,  son  of  Francis  and  Ruth,  b.  1687  ;  wife's  name  was 
Elizabeth  ;  settled,  it  is  said,  on  Loel  Emerson  place  in  Wood- 
ville.  Chil.:  Elizabeth,  b.  1720,  and  m.  1740,  Ed.  Damon; 
Lydia,  b.  1723,  and  m.  1749,  William  Gould,  and  d.  1752  ;  Je- 
mima, b.  1726,  and  m.  1753,  Tho.  Jenkins,  of  Maiden  ;  Mary, 
b.  1727;  Abraham,  b.  1730;  Martha,  b.  1732,  and  m.  1754, 
Maverick  Smith;  Stephen,  b.  1736,  and  d.  1754. 

SMITH,  James,  son  of  Francis  and  Ruth,  b.  1690,  or  '91 ;  m.  Abigail, 
and  settled  on  the  late  Dea.  Ezekiel  Oliver  place  in  Greenwood. 
Chil.:  Abigail,  b.  1721;  Hepzibeth,  b.  1724;  m.  1753  (as  sec- 
ond wife),  William  Gould  ;  Esther,  b.  1727,  and  m.  1755,  James 
Bancroft,  of  Lynn,  ancestor  of  late  Capt.  Henry  Bancroft,  of 
Lynnfield;  James,  b.  1730,  and  m.  1773,  Susanna  Mead,  and 
was  father  of  the  late  Miss  Catey  Smith;  Ruth,  b.  1732,  and 
d.  1738. 

SMITH,  Benjamin,  son  of  Francis  and  Ruth,  b.  1692  ;  m.  1724,  Eliza- 
beth, dau.  of  Tho.  and  §arah  (Walton)  Burnap.  He  succeeded 
to  the  ancient  homestead  of  his  father;  his  wife  d.  1748,  aged 
54.  He  d  1781,  in  his  goth  year.  Chil. :  Elizabeth,  b.  1728, 
and  m.  1752,  Amos  Boardman,  of  Chelsea;  Ebenezer,  b.  1730; 
m.,  ist,  1751,  Mary  Green  ;  m.,  2d,  in  1753,  Hepzibeth  Damon, 
and  3d,  1780,  Mary  Sherman  ;  Elias,1  b.  1731 ;  Har..Coll.  1753  ; 
became  the  minister  of  Middleton,  and  d.  1792  (1791,  says  Town 
Clerk  of  Middleton). 

SMITH,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1730;  m.,  ist, 
1751,  Mary,  dau.  of  Thomas  Green;  she  d.  1753,  aged  21; 
in.,  2d,  1755,  Hepzibeth,  dau.  of  John  Damon;  and  m.,  3d, 
Mary  Sherman.  He  d.  1796,  aged  66,  and  his  wid.  d.  1802, 
aged  73-  He  had  succeeded  to  the  ancient  homestead.  After 
his  death  the  farm,  consisting  then  of  some  80  acres,  was  sold 

1  See  under  1759. 
15 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

to  Dr.  John  Hart  for  $4,000.  Chil.  :  Mary,  b.  1752,  and  m. 
1770,  Capt.  David  Smith;  Benjamin,  b.  and  d.  scoi ;  Ebenezer, 
b.  1756,  settled  in  Vermont;  Rebecca,  b.  1758,  and  m.  1776, 
Thomas  Evans;  Elizabeth,  b.  1761,  and  m.,  ist,  1785,  Israel 
Walton;  m.,  2d,  Paul  Sweetser;  Benjamin,  b.  1764,  and  m. 
1785,  Betty  Sherman,  and  settled  in  Hillsboro',  N.  H. ;  Hepzi- 
beth,  b.  1770,  and  m.  1790,  John  Damon. 

SOUTHWICK,  Isaac,  m.  1691,  Ann,  and  had  chil.  :  Anna,  b  1694,  and 
m.  1713,  Jonathan  Herbert;  Sarah,  b.  and  d.  1696;  Sarah,  b. 
1699,  and  m.  Benjamin  Southwick ;  Isaac,  b.  1703  ;  Mehitabel, 
b.  1706,  and  m.  1726,  Ebenezer  Weston.  Isaac,  Sen.,  lived  in 
the  easterly  part  of  the  West  Parish  on  the  place  now  owned  by 
Eben  D.  Symonds. 

SOUTHWICK,  Benjamin,  came  from    Salem;  m.   1720,  Sarah,  dau.  of 
Isaac  Southwick.     Chil.:  Isaac,  b.   1720;   Benjamin,  b.   1722; 
Sarah,  b.  1724;  Mercy,  b.  1730. 
NOTE.  —  The  Southwick  family  removed  to  Salem  and  Danvers. 

SQUIER,  John,  probably  came  from  Boston.  Chil. :  John,  b.  1667  ; 
Stephen,  b.  1670. 

STIMPSON,  James,  one  of  the  earliest  physicians  of  Reading;  m.  1661, 
Mary  Leffingwell,  and  settled  on  Cowdrey's  Hill.  Chil. :  Abi- 
gail, b.  1663  ;  Ruth,  b.  1664 ;  Thomas,  b.  and  d.  1666  ;  Abigail, 
b.  1667  ;  James,  b.  1669  ;  Thomas,  b.  1671  ;  Abigail,  b.  1673  ; 
Jonathan  and  David,  twins,  b.  1676;  Mary,  b.  and  d.  1678; 
Mary,  b.  1679  ;  Benjamin,  b.  i§8i  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1684. 

STIMPSON,  Naomi,  who  was  called  the  wife  of  James  Stimpson,  Sen., 
d.  1 68 1  ;  may  have  been  the  mother  of  Dr.  James. 

STIMPSON,  James,  son  of  Dr.  James  and  Mary,  b.  1669  ;  m.  1706,  Sarah 
Upton,  and  she  d.  1708.  Child  :  Sarah,  b.  1708. 

STIMPSON,  Thomas,  son  of  Dr.  James  and  Mary,  b.  1671,  was  a  physi- 
cian ;  by  wife  Mary  had  chil.  :  Mary,  b.  1699  ;  Phebe,  b.  1702  ; 
Thomas,  b.  1704;  Hepzibeth,  b.  1707,  and  m.  1730,  John 
Laughton,  of  Sudbury ;  Sarah,  b.  1709;  Jonathan,  b.  1712; 
Timothy,  b.  1714;  David;  Ebenezer,  b.  1720. 

STIMPSON,  Thomas,  son  of  Dr.  Thomas  and  Mary,  b.  1704  ;  was.  a  phy- 
sician ;  lived  on  the  "  Side  of  the  Pond,"  on  the  place  lately 
owned  by  John  White,  Sen. ;  m.  1726,  Elizabeth  Bryant.  Chil  : 
Phebe,  b.  1730,  and  m.  1754,  William  Nichols;  William,  b. 
1732;  Thomas,  b.  1735;  James,  b.  1737;  Mary,  b.  1740,  and 
m.  1758,  William  Bryant,  Jr. 


OF  THE  TOWN  OF  READING.  n$ 

+ 

STIMPSON,  Timothy,  son  of  Dr.  Thomas  and  Mary,  b.  1714;  m. 
1739,  Mehitabel  Parker,  and  had  chil. :  John,  b.  1744;  Mehit- 
abel,  b.  1749 ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1752  ;  Thaddeus,  b.  1753. 

STIMPSON,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Dr.  Thomas  and  Mary,  b.  1720  ;  was  a 
physician;  m.  1748,  Eleanor  Damon.  He  died  1775.  Chil.: 
tbenezer,  b.  1749;  Eleanor,  b.  1753,  and  m.  1771,  Elijah  Ful- 
ler, of  Middleton  ;  Mary,  b.  1755  ;  Mary,  b.  1759  ;  William,  b. 
1763. 

STIMPSON,  William,  son  of  Dr.  Thomas  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1732  ;  was  a 
physician  ;  lived  at  the  homestead  on  "  Side  of  the  Pond  "  ;  after- 
wards at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Salem  Streets ;  m.  Catharine, 
dau.  of  Ebenezer  Nichols,  Esq.  He-d.  1812,  aged  80.  She 
d.  1831,  aged  97.  Chil.:  Catharine,  b.  1758,  and  m.  1791, 
James  Ridgway,  of  Boston;  Elizabeth,  b.  1760,  and  m.  1784, 
Joseph  Bryant,  of  Stoneham  ;  William,  b.  1768,  and  m.,  ist,  Miss 
Danforth,  of  Lynnfield  ;  2d,  Miss  Boynton,  of  Dunstable  ;  3d, 
wid.  Teprel,  of  Boston;  Susanna,  b.  1770. 

STIMPSON,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Eleanor,  b.  1749  ;  m.  1780, 
Esther  Hartshorn,  and  had  chil.:  Mary,  b.  1781,  and  m.  1798, 
Rev.  Peter  Sanborn  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1782,  and  m.  Mary  Means, 
of  Amherst,  N.  H.,  and  was  father  of  Robert,  of  Charlestown, 
who  was  b.  1800;  Daniel,  b.  1784;  Nelly,  b.  1789;  Betsey,  b. 
1791;  Abigail,  b.  1793;  Timothy,  b.  1796;  Esther,  b.  1798; 
John,  b.  iSoi. 

STIMPSON,  William,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Eleanor,  b.  1763;  m.  1783, 
Esther  Cowdrey,  dau.  of  Nathaniel  and  Sarah.  Chil.  :  Philo- 
mela, b.  1790,  and  m.  1809,  John  B.  Atwell ;  William,  b.  1793  ; 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  m.  Lyclia  Knight. 

SUTTON,  Richard,  had  a  son  Richard,  b.  1674.  He  lived  "Side  of  the 
Pond,"  on  the  place  afterwards  owned  by  Tho.  Nichols  and 
Timo.  Goodwin. 

SWAIN,  Jeremiah,  was  at  Charlestown  in  1638  ;  came  to  Reading 
among  the  very  early  settlers  ;  lived  in  the  easterly  part  of  the 
First  Parish.  He  and  his  descendants  appeared  to  have  owned 
a  tract  of  land  extending  from  the  present  residence  of  David 
Batchelder  to  the  farm  of  the  late  Issachar  Stowell.  His  wife's 
name  was  Mary.  He  d.  1658.  Chil.:  Jeremiah,  b.  1643; 
John,  b.  1645  >  Sarah,  b.  1655  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1651,  and  d.  1656  ; 
and  Mary,  who  was  b.  before  1643,  and  m.,  ist,  in  1658,  Thomas 
Clark;  married,  2d,  1665,  Edward  Marshall. 

SWAIN,  Jeremiah,  major   and    doctor,  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Mary,  b. 


IZ6  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

1643  ;  m.  1664,  Mary  Smith,  and  succeeded  to  his  father's  home- 
stead ;  was  physician,  selectman,  justice  of  the  peace,  represen- 
tative, assistant  to  the  Governor,  captain,  major,  etc. ;  had  the 
command  of  a  regiment  that  was  sent  against  the  Eastern  In- 
dians ;  was  a  brave  and  talented  officer  and  an  able  man.  He 
d.  1710,  aged  67.  Chil.  :  Jeremiah,  b.  1665,  and  d.  1696  ;  John, 
b.  1667,  and  d.  soon  ;  John,  b.  1668,  and  d.  soon;  Benjamin,  b. 
1669;  John,  b.  1671,  and  d.  1696  ;  Mary,  b.  1674;  Hepzibeth, 
b.  1677  ;  Sarah,  b.  1682  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1684. 

SWAIN,  Jeremiah,  son  of  Maj.  Jeremiah,  b.  1665.  His  wife's  name  was 
Elizabeth.  They  both  d.  1696.  Chil.  :  Jeremiah,  b.  1693,  and 
m.  1715,  Sarah  Burnap  ;  Mary,  b.  1695. 

SWAIN,  Benjamin,  son  of  Maj.  Jeremiah,  b.  1669  ;  ist  wife's  name  was 
Margaret;  she  d.  1713  ;  m.,  2d,  1714,  Elizabeth,  wid.  of  James 
Boutwell.  He  was  a  physician,  lieutenant,  and  selectman.  He 
d.  1747,  aged  78.  Chil.:  Margaret,  b.  1696,  an^  m.  1720,  Jo- 
seph Allen,  of  Salem  ;  John,  b.  1698  ;  Benjamin,  b.  1700;  Mary, 
b.  1702,  and  d.  1707  ;  Thomas,  b.  1705  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1707,  and 
m.  1727,  Jonathan  Lawrence,  of  Lexington. ;  Mary,  b.  1709, 
and  m.  1733,  John  Williams,  of  Newbury  ;  Sarah,  b.  1711,  and 
m.  1727,  Daniel  Morse,  of  Newbury;  Anna,  b.  1713,  and  m. 
1732,  James  Parker;  Hepzibeth,  b.  1715,  and  m.  1732,  Joseph 
Appleton,  of  Ipswich. 

SWAIN,  Jeremiah,  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1693;  m.  1715, 
Sarah  Burnap.  Chil.  :  Jeremiah,  b.  1717*  Sarah,  b.  1719; 
Samuel,  b.  1722;  Mary,  b.  1724;  Elizabeth,  b.  1726;  Lydia, 
b.  1729,  and  m.  1754,  Thomas  Green;  Hepzibeth,  b.  1731  ; 
Jacob,  b.  1733. 

SWAIN,  John,  son  of  Dr.  Benjamin  and  Margaret,  b.  1698;  m.,  ist, 

about  1720,  Mary  ;  she  d.  1737;  m.,  2d,  Mary . 

Lived  at  the  North  Precinct.  Chil. :  John,  b.  1721  ;  Joseph,  b. 
1723,  Har.  Coll.  1744,  and  became  minister  of  Wenham.  Mary, 
b.  1724;  Hannah,  b.  1725;  Daniel,  b.  1726;  Mary,  b.  1728; 
Amos,  b.  1730;  Jonathan,  b.  1732;  Elizabeth,  b.  1734;  Mar- 
garet, b.  1736;  Nathaniel,  b.  1740  ;  Mary,  b.  1743. 

NOTE.  —  Six  of  the  above-named  children,  namely :  Hannah.  Daniel,  Mary,  Amos, 
Jonathan,  and  Margaret,  died  in  November  and  December  of  1736  of  throat  dis- 
temper. 

SWAIN,  Benjamin,  son  of  Dr.  Benjamin  and  Margaret,  b.  1700;  wife's 
name  was  Sarah;  had  chil. :  Benjamin,  b.  and  d.  1729  ;  William, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


117 


b.  1732,  and  d.  1736  ;  Sarah,  b.  1738  ;  Benjamin,  b.  1740  ;  Eliza- 
beth, b.  1743.  He  removed  to  Woburn. 

SWAIN,  Dr.  Thomas,  son  of  Dr.  Benjamin  and  Margaret,  b.  1705  ;  his 
wife's  name  was  Hannah.  He  lived  on  the  place  now  owned 
by  David  Batchelder;  was  a  physician,  and  d.  1759,  aged  53. 
Chil. :  Hannah,  b.  1731,  and  m.  1749,  Gen.  Benjamin  Brown; 
Hepzibeth,  b.  1733  ;  Lucy,  b.  1735  ;  Thomas,  b.  1738,  and  d. 
soon  ;  Oliver,  b.  1740 ;  Samuel,  b.  1743  ;  Lucy,  b.  1744,  and  d. 
soon;  Margaret,  b.  1748;  Thomas,  b.  1751. 

SWAIN,  Oliver,  son  of  Dr.  Thomas  and  Hannah,  b.  1740;  m.  1762, 
Margaret,  dau.  of  John  and  Mary  Walton  ;  was  a  physician,  and 
d.  1773.  Chil.:  Margaret,  b.  1763,  and  m.  1786,  Jeremiah 
Hartshorn;  Oliver,  b.  1765,  and  m.  1789,  Margaret  Hartshorn, 

Benjamin,  b.  1767,  and  m. Buck;  Thomas,  b.  1771,  and 

m.  Betsey  Pope,  and  was  a  school-teacher. 

SWAIN,  Thomas,  son  of  Dr.  Thomas  and  Hannah,  b.  1751  ;  his  wife's 
name  was  Abigail.  He  was  an  eminent  physician,  and  d.  1 780, 
aged  30.  Chil.:  Lucinda,  b.  1775  ;  Thomas,  b.  1780. 

TAYLOR,  Edward,  had  a  wife  Christiana,  who  d.  1673,  an^  he  m.,  2d, 
1673,  Elizabeth ,  and  he  d.  1694. 

TAYLOR,  Thomas,  was  of  Watertown  in  1642  ;  removed  to  Lynn,  and 
afterwards  to  Reading.  His  wife's  name  was  Elizabeth,  by 
whom  he  had  Seabred,  b.  1643.  His  wife  d.  1650. 

TAYLOR,  Thomas,  perhaps  a  son  of  the  above  ;  m.  1671,  Mary  Hooper, 
and  had  chil. :  Thomas,  b.  1672  ;  Mary,  b.  1675,  and  d.  1695  ; 
James,  b.  1678;  Caleb,  b.  1685.  Tho.,  the  father,  d.  1691,  and 
his  wid.  in  1697. 

TAYLOR,  William,  came  from  Lynn. 

TAYLOR,  Seabred,  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1643;  m.  1671, 
Mary  Harrington;  had  chil.:  Elizabeth,  b.  1675 ;  Mary,  b. 
1676,  and  d.  soon  ;  Mary,  b.  1678,  and  m.  1697,  Tho.  Stimpson  ; 
John,b.  1681  ;  James, b.  1688;  Thomas,  b.  1692.  Seabred,  the 
father,  d.  1714,  aged  71.  • 

TEMPLE,  Richard,  of  Reading,  son  of  Robert,  of  Saco,  Me.,  who  was 
killed  by  the  Indians  in  1676.  Richard  was  b.  1668  ;  m.  1696, 
Deborah,  dau.  of  Dea.  Thomas  and  Amy  Parker,  and  d.  1737, 
aged  69.  Chil. :  Josiah,  b.  1694  (by  a  first  wife)  ;  d  1737.  He 
had  a  fit  while  drawing  water,  and  fell  into  the  well  and  was 
drowned;  Thomas,  b.  1695,  an.l  d.  soon;  Jonathan,  b.  1699; 
Phebe,  m.  John  To»vnsend,  of  Charlestown ;  John,  b.  1704; 
Elizabeth,  b.  1706,  and  in.  James  Townsend;  Jabez,  b.  1709, 


H8  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

and  m.  Mehitabel  Nichols,  and  lived  in  Wilmington  ;  Ruth, 
b.  1712,  and  d.  1757;  Thomas  b.  1714,  and  m.,  ist,  Sarah 
Parker,  and,  ad,  Hepzibeth  Nichols,  and  lived  in  Framingham ; 
Ebenezer,  b.  1716,  and  m.  Hepzibeth  Jenkins,  and  went  to 
Tewksbury. 

NOTE.  —  Mr.  Richard  Temple  lived  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  West  Parish,  where 
his  descendants  still  occupy.  He  was  selectman  in  1734  and  '5. 

"The  Temples  of  England,  from  whom  this  family  came,  have  long  been  of  the 
nobility,  furnishing  some  of  the  most  eminent  and  illustrious  personages  in  English 
history,  among  whom  were  knights,  earls,  and  noble  lords  and  ladies.  Lord  Gren- 
ville,  the  younger  Pitt,  and,  recently,  Lord  Palmerston,  the  late  English  Premier, 
were  of  this  family.  The  Winthrops  of  our  own  land  are  connected  with  it.  The 
first  person  of  the  name  of  Temple  is  said  to  have  assumed  the  name  after  having 
obtained  a  grant  of  land  that  had  belonged  to  the  Knight  Templars." 

TEMPLE,  Jonathan,  son  of  Richard  and  Deborah,  b.  1699  ;  m.,  ist, 
1734,  Sarah  Harnden,  and  m.,  zd,  1759,  wid.  Sarah  Damon. 
Chil. :  Sarah,  b.  1735,  and  m.  Caleb  Bancroft,  and  went  to 
Temple,  N.  H. ;  Mary,  b.  1739,  and  d  1755  ;  Jonathan,  b.  1740, 
and  d.  soon;  Jonathan,  b.  1760,  and  m.  Hepzibeth  Parker,  and 
went  to  Antrim,  N.  H. ;  Jabez,  b.  1763,  and  m.  Hepzibeth  Emer- 
son, and  went  to  Londonderry,  N.  H. ;  Daniel,  b.  1767,  and  m. 
Sarah  Beard.  He  was  a  deacon. 

TEMPLE,  John,  son  of  Richard  and  Deborah,  b.  1704;  m.  1731, 
Rebecca  Parker ;  m.,  2 d,  Sarah  Weston.  He  was  town  clerk, 
selectman,  representative,  and  a  member  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  always  serving,  it  is  recorded,  "  to  good  acceptance." 
He.  d.  1776.  Chil.:  Phebe,  b.  1732;  Rebecca,  b.  1734,  and 
m.  Ephfaim  Parker,  and  she  d.  1784;  Elizabeth,  b.  1736,  and 
m.  Joseph  Bancroft,  and  she  d.  1815  ;  John,  b.  1738  ;  Timothy, 
b.  and  d.  1740;  Susanna,  b.  1741;  William,  b.  1745. 

TEMPLE,  John,  son  of  John  and  Rebecca,  b.  1738;  m.,  ist,  1761,  Han- 
nah Nichols;  shed.  1796;  m.,  2d,  Abigail  Richardson;  was 
deacon,  and  d.  1^821.  Chil.:  John,  b.  1762;  James,  b.  1765, 
and  m.  Mary  Fowle,  and  d.  1800;  Jonathan,  b.  1768,  and  m., 
ist,  Lydia  Pratt,  and,  2d,  Lucina  Parker  ;'  Richard,  b.  1770,  and 
m.,  ist,  Hannah  Nichols,  and,  2d,  Fanny  Beard;  Timothy,  b. 
1775,  and  m.  Lydia  Locke,  and  he  d.  1832. 

TEMPLE,  William,  son  of  John  and  Rebecca,  b.  1745  ;  m.  1768,  Rebecca 
Weston;  he  d.  1807.  Chil.  :  Rebecca,  b.  1769,  and  m.  John 
Temple,  and  she  d.  1798  ;  William,  b.  1773;  Susy,  b.  1775,  and 
d.  1778. 


OP    THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


IIQ 


TEMPLE,  John,  son  of  John  and  Hannah,  b.  1762  ;  m.,  ist,  Rebecca 
Temple,  by  whom  he  had  chil. :  John,  b.  1791;  Peter,  b.  1792, 
and  d.  1796;  Rebecca,  b.  1794,  and  d.  1798;  Chloe,  b.  1796, 
and  d.  1830  ;  Peter,  b.  1798,  and  m.  Abigail  Evans.  First  wife 
d.  1798,  and  m.,  zd,  Betsey  Carter,  and  had  chil.:  Rebecca,  b. 

1800,  and  d.  1819  ;  Betsey,  b.  1801,  and  m.  Jona.  Buck,  of  Wil- 
mington;  Lydia,  b.   1802,  and  m.   Ab'iel   Holden,  of  Reading; 
James,  b.    1804,  and  m.  Ann  L.   Beck,  and   went  to   Illinois  ; 
Charlotte,  b.  1806,  and  d.  1807  ;  William,  b.  18*7,  and  m.  Mary 
Coggin  ;  Timothy,  b.  1810,  and   rn.  Sophronia  Flint;  Sally,  b. 
1813;  Harriet,  b.   1816,  and  m.   Henry  G.  Richardson;  Benja- 
min, b.  1818;  Mary  Ann,  b.  1821,  and  m.  Daniel  B.  Lovejoy. 

TEMPLE,  William,  son  of  William  and  Rebecca,  b.  1773;  m.  Zerviah 
Richardson,  and  had  child  :  William,  b.  1801,  and  m.  Susanna 
Noyes,  and  settled  in  New  Hampshire. 

TEMPLE,  Daniel,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Sarah,  b.  1767  ;  m.  1788,  Sarah, 
dau.  of  William  and  Sarah  Beard;  was  a  deacon,  and  d.  1836. 
Chil.:  Daniel,  b.  1789;  Har.  Coll.  1817,  and  m.,  ist,  Rachel 
Dix,  and,  2d,  Martha  Eld  ;  was  a  clergyman  and  a  missionary 
to  Asia  Minor;  Sally,  b.  1791,  and  d.  1829;  Charles,  b.  1794, 
and  m.  Bridget  Richardson  ;  Clarissa,  b.  and  d.  1796  ;  Clarissa, 
b.  1797,  and  d.  1829  ;  Jonathan,  b.  and  d.  1800  ;  Fanny,  b. 

1801,  and  m.  Azor  Richardson ;  George,  b.  1803,  and  m.  Hep- 
zibeth  Damon,  and  d.   1831   at  sea;  Calvin,  b.   1805,  and  m. 
Mary  Pierce ;  was  formerly  railroad  station-master  at  Reading  ; 
Mark  M.  (deacon),  b.  1807,  and  m.  Sarah  Hemphill ;  Nancy  L., 
b.  1809,  and  m.  Lilley  Eaton  (of  the  Woburn  Batons) ;  William 
T.,  b.    1811,  and  m.   Lucinda  Pratt;   Joseph,  b.  1814,  and  d. 
1838 

THOMPSON,  George,  came  from  Lynn  to  Reading  about  1660  ;    by  wife 

Sarah  had  chil.:    Sarah,  b.    1659,  and  m.  1680,  John  Upton; 

John,  b.  1661  ;   David,  b.  and  d.  1663  ;   Mary,  b.  1664,  and  m. 

1682,   Benjamin  Hartshorne ;    George,  b.  1666;    Elizabeth,  b. 

1669  ;  Jonathan,  b.  1671.     George,  the  father,  d.  1674. 
THOMPSON,  John,  son  of  George,  b.  1661  ;  by  wife  Elizabeth  had  chil. : 

Mary,  b.  1690  ;  John,  b.  1691 ;  George,  b.  1694. 
TONY,  John,  d.  1691. 
TOWER,  Thomas,  m.    1662,   Hannah    Dustin.     His   servant,  William 

Crocker,  d.  1681.     He  d.  1684,  and  his  wid.  m.  T.  Jackson. 
TOWNSEND,  George,  probably  son  of  Andrew,  of  Lynn  ;  removed  from 

Lynn  to  Reading,  and   by  wife  Rebecca  had  Rebecca,  b.  1689, 


12Q  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

and  perhaps  was  father  of  Abigail,  who  m.  in  1704,  Nathaniel 
Evans. 

TOWNSEND,  John,  probably  brother  of  the  foregoing;  m.  1698,  Sarah, 
dau.  of  James  and  Rebecca  Boutwell.  Chil. :  Sarah,  b.  1705, 
and  m.  1725,  Brown  Emerson;  Jacob,  b.  1712,  and  d.  soon; 
Mary,  b.  1717;  and  perhaps  other  children.  Mrs.  Sarah  d. 
J737»  aged  60. 

UNDERWOOD,  Joseph,  son  of  Joseph,  of  Watertown  ;  b.  probably,  1650; 
d.  1691 ;.  by  wife  Elizabeth  had  chil.  :  Mary,  b.  1673;  Joseph, 
b.  1675,  ar>d  d.  soon;  John,  b.  1677,  and  settled  in  Charles- 
town;  Elizabeth,  b.  1679,  and  m.  1700,  Nathaniel  Cutler;  Jo- 
seph, b.  1681  ;  Joshua,  b.  1682,  and  settled  in  Sherburne ;  and 
perhaps  others ;  these  children  were  born,  some  in  Watertown, 
and  some  in  Reading. 

UNDERWOOD,  Joseph,  probably  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth,  and  b. 
1681  ;  m.  1707,  Susan  Parker. 

UNDERWOOD,  Joseph,  probably  son  of  Joseph  and  Susan,  m.  1739, 
Ruth  Bancroft. 

UNDERWOOD,  Joseph,  probably  son  of  Joseph  and  Ruth;  m.  1762, 
Mary  Poole.  Chil. :  Mary,  b.  1763,  and  m.  1785,  Tho.  Miles  ; 
Lucy,  b.  1771  ;•  Joseph,  b.  1773;  Rebecca,  b.  1775  ;  Sally. 

NOTE.  — This  family  lived  on  the  place  long  owned  and  occupied  by  Rev.  Dana 
Clayes.     They  afterwards  removed  to  North  Reading  and  Chelmsford. 

UPHAM,  Thomas,  of  Maiden;  m.  Mary  Brown,  of  Reading,  in  1704. 

UPTON,  John,  came  from  Salem ;  settled  in  the  northeasterly  part  of 
the  North  Precinct;  was  a  blacksmith;  by  wife  Eleanor  had 
chil. :  John,  Joseph,  Ezekiel,  and  probably  Samuel,  William,  and 
Sybel,  who  d.  1689,  and  Francis,  who  d.  1694.  He,  the  father, 
d.  1699. 

UPTON,  John,  son  of  John  and  Eleanor;  m.  1680,  Sarah,  dau.  of 
George  and  Sarah  Thompson.  Chil.  :  Sarah,  b.  1681,  and  m. 
1706,  James  Stimpson  ;  John,  b.  1683  ;  Mary,  b.  1685,  and  m. 
1706,  Samuel  Mclntire  ;  Joseph,  b.  1687,  and  m.  1718,  Abigail 
Gray  ;  Ezekiel,  b.  1689  ;  Jonathan,  b.  1692,  and  m.  1724,  Eliza- 
beth Wilkins,  of  Salem;  Elizabeth,  b.  and  d.  1694;  Francis,  b'. 
and  d.  1695  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1696,  and  m.  1729,  Joseph  Cross; 
Hepzibeth,  b.  1700,  and  m.  1733,  Robert  Hayward  ;  and  by  2d 
wifeTabitha:  Sarah,  b.  1710;  Ephraim,  b.  1712;  John,  b.  1717; 
Naomi,  b.  1719. 

UPTON,  Joseph,  son  of  John  and  Eleanor  ;    m.  1692,  Abigail ,  and 


EDWARD      UPTON, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  PEAD1NG.  I2l 

had  chil. :  Joseph,  b.  1692  ;  Abigail,  b.  1697,  and  m.  1713,  Jo- 
seph Swallow;  Mehitabel,  b.  1701,  and  m.  1726,  Hezekiah  Wil- 
kins,  of  Boxford ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1702,  and  m.  1727,  Sarah  Good- 
ale,  of  Salem  ;  Lucy,  b.  1708,  and  m.  1733,  David  Wilkins,  of 
Middleton. 

UPTON,  Ezekiel,  son  of  John  and  Eleanor;  m.  1692,  Rebecca ,  and 

had  chil.:  Isabel,  b.  1695;  Amy,  b.  1697;  Francis,  b.  1699; 
Elizabeth,  b.  1701  ;  Ezekiel,  b.  1703. 

NOTE.  —  From  these  settlers  has  sprung  a  numerous  posterity,  among  whom  may 
be  mentioned  the  late  Benjamin  Upton,  Esq.,  son  of  Dea.  Amos  Upton,  and  grand- 
father of  the  present  Edward  A.  Upton,  Esq.,  of  Wakefield ;  Elias  Upton,  of  Maine, 
of  Har.  Coll.  1802  ;  and  Hon.  George  B.  Upton,  of  Boston,  and  E.  W.  Upton,  Esq., 
of  South  Danvers,  all  grandsons  of  said  Benjamin  Upton,  Esq.,  who  lived  in  the 
North  Parish,  and  is  said  to  have  been  a  man  of  sterling  integrity,  of  good  native 
intelligence,  of  much  firmness,  and  very  stiff  in  adherence  to  his  opinion. 

VLNTON,  John,  son  of  John  Vinton,  Esq.,  and  Elizabeth  (Richardson) 
Vinton,  of  Stoneham,  and  grandson  of  John  Vinton,  of  Woburn, 
and  great-grandson  of  John  Vinton,  of  Lynn;  was  born  in  Read- 
ing, near  Woburn  line,  in  1706.  He  m.  1731,  Mary,  dau.  of 
Ebenezer  Parker,  and  had  one  son,  John,  b.  1732.  He  d.  1733, 
aged  27. 

VINTON,  John,  son  of  John  and  Mary,  b.  1732  ;  m.,  ist,  1755,  Sarah 
Swain ;  m.,  2d,  1758,  Lydia,  dau.  of  Thomas  and  Ruth  Nichols. 
He  lived  on  the  spot  where  now  stands  the  "  Perkins  Building,'* 
at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Albion  Streets,  a  place  notable  as 
having  been  the  "  First  Parsonage."  Chil. :  Lydia  and  Mary, 
twins,  b.  1759;  Lydia  m.  1780,  Thaddeus  Richardson;  Mary, 
m.  1778,  William  Wilson  ;  Sarah,  b.  1761,  and  m.  1780,  Joseph 
Brooks;  John,  b.  1763,  and  m.  1785,  Mary  Green,  and  was 
father  of  John,  Sarah,  Eliza,  Joseph  W.,  Nathaniel,  and  James 
G. ;  Timothy,  b.  1765,  and  m.  Bracy  McLeod;  Rebecca,  b. 
1769,  and  d,  at  the  age  of  15  ;  Nathaniel,  b.  1772,  and  d.  soon  ; 
Elizabeth,  b.  1774,  and  m.  1794,  Samuel  Wiley,  of  South  Read- 
ing; Hannah,  b.  1777,  and  m.  Samuel  Stacy. 

WAKEFIELD,  Joseph ;  was  in  Boston  as  early  as  1727.  His  wife  was 
Cossy  Bridge.  He  was  said  to  be  a  native  of  Wales,  and  an  emi- 
grant from  France.  His  son  Thomas  was  born  in  Boston. 

WAKEFIELD,  Thomas,  son  of  Joseph  and  Cossy,  b.  in  Boston,  August  5, 

1727;    was   adopted  while   an  infant  by  Abraham  Gould,  of 

Stoneham  ;   was  apprenticed   to   Timothy   Pratt,  of  Reading ; 

married  in  1750,  Dorcas  Pratt,  dau.  of  Timothy  and   Dorcas 

16 


GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 


(Eaton)  Pratt;  d.  1791,  aged  64.  His  wid.  d.  1802,  aged  77. 
Chil. :  Thomas,  b.  1751  ;  Joseph,  b.  1752  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1753  ; 
Timothy,  b.  1756. 

WAKEFIELD,  Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  and  Dorcas  (Pratt),  b.  1751,  in 
Reading;  m.  1772,  Elizabeth  Hardy,  of  Hollis,  N.  H.,  and  d. 
in  Jaffrey,  N.  H.,  1839.  Chil.  :  James,  b.  1782. 

WAKEFIELD,  Timothy,  son  of  Thomas  and  Dorcas  (Pratt),  b.  1756; 
lived  in  Reading ;  was  justice  of  the  peace  and  representative, 
etc. ;  m.,  ist,  1778,  Susanna,  dau.  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Ban- 
croft; m.,  zd,  1793,  Hannah  B.,  dau.  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth 
Emerson.  Chil.:  Timothy,  b.  1779;  Ebenezer,  b.  1781; 
Bridge,  b.  1783;  Caleb,  b.  1785;  William,  b.  1787;  Thomas, 
b.  1789 ;  Susy,  b.  1791 ;  John,  b.  1795,  and  d.  1796. 

WAKEFIELD,  James,  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Hardy),  b.  1782; 
m.  1803,  Hannah  Hemenway,  and  settled  in  Roxbury,  N.  H., 
and  d.  1864.  Chil. :  James  P.,  b.  1805  ;  Sylvester,  b.  1808, 
and  d.  1823  ;  Cyrus,  b.  1811  ;  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  late  Capt. 
Henry  Bancroft;  Enoch  H.,  b.  1814;  Elias,  b.  1816,  and  d. 
1818;  Hannah  H.,  b.  1820;  May  R.,b.  1827  ;  Julia,  b.  1831, 
and  d.  1863. 


.      UEA.    CALEB     WAKEFIELD. 

WAKEFIELD,  Caleb,  son  of  Timothy  and  Susanna  (Bancroft),  b.  1785  ; 
has  been  captain,  deacon,  justice,  and  representative;  m.,  ist, 
Matilda,  dau.  of  Jonathan  and  Ann  (Bancroft)  Poole ;  m.,  2d, 

«=r Temple.     Chil. :  Horace  Poole,  b.  Jan.  4,  1809  ;  Marietta, 

b.  1810;  and  other  children. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


123 


DR.     HORACE     POOLE     WAKEFIELD. 

WALKER,  Richard,  was  at  Lynn  in  1630,  where  he  was  selectman,  captain, 
and  representative ;  appears  to  have  resided  a  while  at  Reading, 
but  returned  soon  to  Lynn,  and  there  died  very  aged. 

WALKER,  Richard,  son  of  the  above,  came  to  Reading  from  Lynn 
among  the  early  settlers  ;  lived  on  the  place  long  occupied  by 
the  wid.  of  Maj.  Suel  Winn  ;  was  first  captain  of  Reading  Com- 
pany, and  was  noted  for  his  bravery  as  a  captain  in  the  Indian 
wars  ;  he  (or  possibly  his  father)  was  selectman  and  representa- 
tive of  Reading  in  1658  ;  he  soon  returned  to  Lynn. 

WALKER,  Samuel,  was  dismissed  from  the  Boston  church  to  the  Read- 
ing church.  Chil. :  Samuel,  b.  1643  ;  Joseph,  b.  1645  >  a  dau. 
b  1647;  Israel  and  Hannah,  twins,  b.  1648;  John,  b.  1650; 
Benjamin,  b.  1651,  and  d.  soon  ;  perhaps  removed  to  Woburn. 

WALKER,  Shubael,  settled  first  at  Rowley ;  removed  to  Lyrm,  and  there 
m.  1666,  Patience  Jewett,  dau.  probably  of  Joseph  Jewett,  of 
Rowley;  came  to  Reading  and  here  had  chil. :  Richard,  b.  1667, 
and  Mary,  b.  1669;  went  to  Bradford  and  there  d.  1689.  He 
was  selectman  at  Reading  1667  and  '8.  His  wid.  m.  Richard 
Dole. 

WALKER,  Obadiah,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Rev.  Samuel  Haugh  ;  had  a  dau. 
Sarah,  b.  and  d.  1674,  and  d.  himself  soon  after.  His  wid.  be- 
came the  third  wife  of  Capt.  Eph.  Savage. 

WALTON,  Samuel,  son  of  Rev.  William  Walton,  of  Marblehead,  b.  1639 ; 


124  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

m.  Sarah,  and  long  lived  in  Marblehead,  but  late  in  life  removed 
to  Reading  to  reside  with  his  sons  John  and  Samuel,  and  where 
his  wife  Sarah  d.  in  1714,  and  where  he  d.  in  1717,  aged  78. 

Chil. :  John,  b.  1627  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1629,  and  m. Conant ; 

Martha,  b.  1632,  and  m. Munjoy  (these  b.  in  England) ; 

Nathaniel,  b.  (at  Hingham)  1636;  the  residue  b.  at  Marblehead : 
Samuel,  b.  1639  ;  Josiah,  b.  1640,  and  killed  by  lightning  at  sea  ; 
Mary,  b.  1644,  and  m.  Robert  Bartlett. 

NOTE.  —  Rev.  William  Walton  aforesaid  was  educated  at  EmanuePs  Coll.,  Eng- 
land, where  he  took  his  degrees  in  1621  and  1625;  became  a  clergyman;  came  to 
America  before  1635 ;  stopped  a  while  at  Hingham,  aad  afterwards  settled  at  Mar- 
blehead. His  wife's  name  was  Elizabeth. 

WALTON,  John,  probably  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah,  b!  in  Marblehead  ; 
removed  first  to  Maiden  and  afterwards  to  Reading  ;  by  wife 
Mary  had  chil. :  John,  b.  1710;  Josiah,  b.  1711;  Mary,  b. 
1714;  Abigail,  b.  (at  Maiden)  1716;  Jotham,b.  1718;  Jacob, 
b.  1720  ;  Nathan,  b.  1729  ;  Isaac,  b.  1733. 

WALTON,  Samuel,  probably  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah,  b.  in  Marblehead  ; 
settled  in  Reading  ;  wife's  name  was  Hannah  ;  had  chil.  :  Han- 
nah, b.  1703;  Samuel,  b.  1705;  Sarah,  b.  1707;  William,  b. 
1709;  Moses,  b.  1712  ;  Mercy,  b.  1717  ;  Jonas,  b.  1720. 

WALTON,  John,  son  of  John  and  Mary,  b.  1710;  m.,  ist,  1734,  Martha, 
dau.  of  Lt.  Joseph  and  Tabitha  Burnap ;  she  d.  1737,  and  he 
m.,  2d,  1739,  Mary  Williams.  Chil. :  Martha,  b.  1735  ;  Mary, 
b.  1740;  Margaret,  b.  1742,  and  m.,  ist,  Dr.  Oliver  Swain,  and 
2d,  Dea.  Jacob  Emerson  ;  John  and  Hepzibeth,  twins,  b.  1744  ; 
Bridget,  b.  1746  ;  and  Benjamin,  b.  about  1751.  He  was  a  cap- 
tain, and  lived  on  the  farm  lately  owned  by  Benjamin  aforesaid. 

WALTON,  Josiah,  son  of  John  and  Mary,  b.  1711 ;  m.  Ruth ,  and 

had  chil.:  Josiah,  b.  1736;  Ruth,  b.  1738;  James,  b.  1740; 
Timothy,  b.  1743,  married,  and  was  father  of  the  late  Ebenezer 
and  James,  of  South  Reading,  and  of  Andrew  of  South  Reading, 
who  d.  in  1869;  Lydia,  b.  1745;  Amos,  b.  1749;  William,  b. 
1751 ;  Nathan,  b.  1753  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1756. 

WALTON,  Jotham,  son  of  John  and  Mary,  b.  1718;  m.  1740,  Eliza- 
beth, dau.  of  David  Green.  Chil.  :  Elizabeth,  b.  1742  ;  Jotham, 
b.  1744;  Phebe,  b.  1746;  Martha,  b.  1748;  Hannah,  b.  1750; 
Sarah,  b.  1755;  Oliver,  b.  1758;  m.  -  -  Tarbell,  and  was 
father  of  Oliver,  Leonard,  John,  Jotham,  and  other  children ; 
Rebecca,  b.  1763. 

WALTON,  Jacob,  son  of  John  and  Mary,  b.  1720  ;  m.,  ist,  1744,  Eunice 


Of    THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


125 


Hawkes,  of  Lynn ;  m.,  2d,  Elizabeth  ;  and  3d,  wid.  Thankful 
Brown.  Chil. :  Jacob,  b.  1745  ;  Eunice  ;  Israel,  b.  1748  ;  Mary, 
b.  1749  •  Lois,  b.  1752  ;  Israel,  b.  1756  ;  Samuel,  b.  1765. 

WELLMAN,  Thomas,  perhaps  the  son  of  Abraham,  of  Lynn,  who  had  a 
son  Thomas,  b.  1669.  He  m.  1697,  Sarah,  dau.  of  Josiah 
Brown,  of  Reading,  and  settled  probably  in  Lynnfield. 

WESTON,  John.  "About  the  year  1644,  being  thirteen  years  of  age,  he 
came  from  Buckinghamshire,  in  the  west  of  England,  to  Salem, 
Mass.  His  mother  was  then  a  widow.  His  desire  to  come  over 
was  such  that  he  concealed  himself  in  a  ship  bound  for  America 
until  she  sailed.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  church  in  Salem 
in  1648.  He  removed  to  Reading  about  the  year  1652,  to  that 
part  which  is  now  Wakefield.  His  land,  of  which  he  was  a  large 
proprietor,  adjoined  the  Meeting-house  Square,  and  lay  upon  the 
southeast  part  of  Reading  Pond,  and  extended  thence  southerly. 
He  was  deeply  engaged  in  religious  subjects.  He  d.  about 
J723>  aged  over  90  years.  He  was  a  man  of  great  industry,  ac- 
cumulated a  great  estate,  and  paid  the  highest  tax  of  any  one  in 
his  town."1  (John  Weston's  manuscript.)  He  m.  1653,  Sarah, 
dau.  of  Zachariah  Fitch,  of  Reading,  —  the  earliest  marriage  in 
Reading  of  which  there  is  any  record ;  had  eight  children,  four 
of  whom  became  heads  of  families,  forming  four  distinct 
branches,  namely  :  — 

WESTON,  John,  b.  1661 ;  m.  1684,  Mary-Bryant.  Chil.  :  John,  b.  1685, 
and  killed  in  1707  in  war;  Abraham,  b.  1687,  and  d.  1765,  unm.; 
Samuel,  b.  1689  ;  Mary,  b.  1691  ;  Stephen,  b.  1693  ;  Zachariah, 
b-  1695;  James,  b.  1697;  Benjamin,  b.  1698;  Jeremiah,  b. 
1700;  Timothy,  b.  1702;  another,  b.  1704;  Jonathan,  b.  1705  ; 
Sarah,  b.  1707  ;  John,  b.  1709.  His  descendants  are  numerous 
in  Reading  and  elsewhere. 

WESTON,  Samuel,  b.  1665  ;  by  wife  Abigail  had  chil. :  Abigail,  b.  1689  ; 
Samuel,  b.  1690. 

WESTON,  Stephen,  b.  1667  ;  m.  Sarah  Townsend.  Chil.:  Stephen,  b. 
1697  ;  Isaac,  b.  1699;  John,  b.  1707,  and  d.  soon. 

WESTON,  Thomas,  b.  1670;  by  wife  Elizabeth  had  chil.:  Thomas,  b. 
1695  ;  Joseph,  b.  1698  ;  Ephraim,  b.  1700;  Ebenezer,  b.  1702  ; 
Josiah,  b.  1708. 

WILEY,  John,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers ;  lived  in  "  Little  World,"  now 
called  Woodville.  .  He  died  probably  in  1672.  His  wife,  whose 

1  The  town  records  do  not  show  that  he  paid  the  highest  tax,  or  near  it. 


126  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

name  was  Elizabeth,  d.  1662.  Chil. :  John  (perhaps) ;  Benja- 
min (perhaps),  who  m.  1707,  Mary  Nichols;  Elizabeth,  b.  1649; 
Timothy,  b.  1653  ;  Susanna,  b.  1655,  andm.  1678,  John  Damon  ; 
Sarah,  b.  1658. 

WILEY,  Timothy,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1653  ;  succeeded  his 
father  on  the  homestead ;  was  selectman  and  representative,  and 
d.  1728;  m.,  ist,  1678,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  George  Davis;  she 

d.   1695;    m.,  2d,  1697,  Susanna .     Chil.:    John,  b.   1679; 

Elizabeth,  b.  1681,  and  d.  soon;  Elizabeth,  b.  1690;  Thomas, 
b.  1697  ;  and  Timothy,  probably. 

WILEY,  John,  son  of  Timothy  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1679  ;  m.  1705,  Dorcas 
Green,  and  had  Esther,  b.  1721,  and  probably  other  children. 

WILEY,  Timothy,  son,  no  doubt,  of  Timothy  and  Elizabeth,  although  no 
record  of  his  birth  is  found;  m.  1714,  Mary  Poole,  of  Lynnfield, 
and  lived  in  Woodville  ;  had  chil. :  Sarah,  b.  1715  ;  Susanna,  b. 
1717,  and  m.  1741,  Isaac  Smith;  Mary,  b.  1721,  and  m.  1745, 
Moses  Bancroft;  Lydia,  b.  1724,  and  m.  1747,  Adam  Hawkes, 
of  Lynnfield,  and  was  ancestress  of  George  L.  Hawkes,  Esq., 
now  of  Lynnfield;  Timothy,  b.  1725,  and  m.  1748,  Elizabeth 
Wiley;  John,  b.  1727;  Nathaniel,  b.  1729;  Phineas,  b.  1731. 

W^LEY,  Thomas,  son  of  Timothy  and  Susanna  (2d  wife),  b.  1697  ;  m. 
1723,  Tabitha,  dau.  of  John  and  Tabitha  (Pearson)  Goodwin. 

Chil.:    James,  b.   1725,  and  m.  Lois ;    Elizabeth,  b.  1727, 

and  m.,  ist,  1748,  Timo.  Wiley,  and  2d,  1750,  Jona.  Brown; 
Ebenezer,  b.  1729  ;  Ephraim,  b.  1732. 

WILEY,  Ebenezer,  son  of  Thomas  and  Tabitha,  b.  1729  ;  m.  Elizabeth 
Sprague ;  he  d.  1771,  and  his  wid.  m.  1772,  Gen.  Benjamin 
Brown.  Chil. :  Elizabeth,  who  m.  1778,  Thomas  Edmands,  of 
Charlestown;  James,  b.  1755,  and  m.  1779,  Mary,  wid.  of  Peter 
Brown,  and  dau.  of  Elias  Bryant,  of  Stoneham,  and  father  of  late 
James,  of  Philadelphia,  Capt.  Peter  B.  Wiley,  of  Charlestown, 
and  of  Benj.  B.  Wiley,  Esq.,  and  of  the  late  Ebenezer  Wiley,  of 
South  Reading;  William,  b.  1757,  and  d.  soon;  William,  b. 

1758,  and  m.   Hannah    Smith;    John,  b.    1760,   and   m. 

Cooley;  Ebenezer,  b.  1762,  and  m.  Catharine  Dunn;  Sarah,  b. 
1767. 

WILEY,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Timothy  and  Mary,  b.  1729  ;  m.  Mary  Eaton, 
of  Andover,  and  d.  1822,  aged  93.  Chil.:  Timothy,  b.  1749, 
and  m.  1781,  Susanna  Hay,  of  Stoneham  ;  Mary,  b.  1756  ;  Na- 
thaniel, b.  1759,  and  m.  1782,  Sally  Poole;  Phineas,  b.  1761, 
and  m.  1782,  Susanna  Green;  Benjamin,  b.  1763,  and  m.  Miss 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


127 


Sherman,  of  Lynnfield  ;  Edmund,  b.  1766,  and  m.  1791,  Nancy 
Edes ;  Ephraim,  b.  1768  ;  was  father  of  Rev.  Ephraim,  a  Meth- 
odist clergyman  ;  Samuel,  b.  1772,  and  m.  1794,  Eliza  Vinton  ; 
Eli,  b.  1774;  m.,  ist,  Love  Mansfield,  and  2d,  Lucy  (Tapley) 
Wiley. 

WILLIAMS,  Thomas,  came  from  Boston  ;  by  wife  Hannah  had  Sarah,  b. 
1690,  in  Boston. 

WILLIAMS,  William,  had  chil. :  Mary,  who  m.  1738,  Richard  Nichols; 
James,  who  with  his  father  were  both  drowned  in  the  Great 
Pond,  in  1729,  by  the  upsetting  of  a  boat ;  and  probably  other 
children. 

WINBORNE,  Mas.,  was  taxed  2s.  in  1686  to  pay  for  land  bought  of  Indians. 
In  1691,  he  sold  land  to  the  town,  for  payment  of  which  a  special 
rate  of  £16  was  made.  Mr.  Winborne  was  probably  a  non- 
resident proprietor.  His  wife  was  a  dau.  of  Isaac  Hart,  of 
Reading. 

WOODWARD,  John,  came  from  Newton  to  Reading;  was  b.  1649,  and 
was  son  of  George  and  Mary  Woodward ;  m.,  ist,  Rebecca  Rob- 
bins,  of  Cambridge;  she  d.  1686;  m.,  2d.,  1686,  Sarah, dau.  of' 
Thomas  Bancroft,  of  Reading;  she  d.  1698  ;  m.,  3d,  1700,  Mar- 
garet Leaman,  of  Charlestown.  Chil. :  James,  b.  1687,  and  d. 
soon;  Sarah,  b.  1689,  and  d.  1706;  Elizabeth,  b.  1691;  Mary, 
b.  1694,  and  m.  1717,  John  Teal,  of  Charlestown  (2d  wife)  ; 
John,  b.  1696;  Margaret,  b.  1701;  Jonathan,  b.  1703;  James, 
b.  1706;  Joseph,  b.  1711. 

WOODWARD,  John,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Bancroft),  b.  1696;  m. 
1720,  Hepzi.,  dau.  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  Burnap.  Chil.:  John, 
b.  1721  ;  Timothy,  b.  1723;  Hepzi.,  b.  1725;  Beulah,  b.  1726; 
Benjamin,  bap.  1728;  James,  b.  about  1730;  Susanna,  b.  1734. 

NOTE. — The  ancient  homestead  of  the  Woodward  family  was  the  "  Stimpson 
Place,"  at  the  head  of  the  Great  Pond,  in  the  South  Parish,  where  we  find  a  John 
Woodward  still  living  in  1765. 

WOODWARD,  James,  son  of  John  and  Hepzi.,  b.  about  1730;  by  wife 
Rebecca  had  chil.:  Margaret,  b.  1761;  James  and  Joseph, 
twins,  b.  1762  ;  John,  b.  1764;  Elizabeth,  b.  1766 ;  John  Cham- 
berlain, b.  1769;  Thomas,  b.  1773;  Rebecca,  b.  1775.  This 
family  settled  in  Lynnfield. 

WOODWARD,  Thomas,  son  of  James  and  Rebecca,  b.  1773  >  settled  in 
South  Reading,  and  was  the  original  manufacturer  of  the  cele- 
brated "  Woodward's  Awls"  and  other  "Improved  Shoe  Tools.' 

WORMWOOD,  Henry,  drew  land  in  1658  ;  nothing  further  is  known  of  him 


I2g  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 


CHAPTER    III. 


CONTINUATION  OF  CHRONOLOGICAL  AND  HISTORICAL 
SKETCHES   FROM    1700  TO    1812. 

1701.  — "June  6,  At  a  meeting  of  the  Selectmen,  Geo.  Lillie  being 
desired  some  time  before  to  meet  them  to  Receave  the  money  deu  to 
him  for  keeping  his  mother,  Jane  Lillie,  this  present  year,  did  apere, 
the  day  aforesaid,  befour  the  Selectmen,  and  the  money  being  ofered  to 
him  by  the  Selectmen,  he  refused  to  receave  the  same,  notwithstanding 
all  fare  arguments  was  yused   to   perswad   him   to   receave  the  said 
money."     "Payd,  for  Iron  Work  for  the  stocks,  4^.  6df."     Aug.   24, 
"  Then  the  Selectmen  indented  with  Jno.  Herbert  to  keep  the  toun 
scoole  to  teach  children  in  reding,  w 'righting  and  sifering."     Salary  ;£n 
per  year  in  money. 

School  Meadow  was  let  to  John  Felch  and  Tho.  Bancroft  for  14*.  in 
money  per  year. 

1702.  — Town  voted,  "that  all  such  persons  as  sends  their  children 
to  school,  and  does  not  send  wood,  their  just  proportion  shall  be  added 
to  their  town  rate." 

This  year,  "the  Selectmen,  being  informed  that  Kendall  Parker, 
Esq ,  had  received  into  his  house  one  Elizabeth  Jonson,  without  the 
knowledge  of  the  Selectmen,  and  they  sending  for  Kendall  Parker, 
Esq.,  on  the  same  day,  and  he  not  coming  till  the  next  day,  then  the 
Selectmen  warned  him  forthwith  to  convey  the  said  Elizabeth  Jonson 
out  of  town,  or  enter  into  bond  to  keep  her  from  being  a  town 
charge." 

This  year  the  town  voted  to  enlarge  the  meeting-house. 

1703.— This  year,  Rebecca,  wid.  of  Dea.  Thomas  Kendall,  died. 
(See  Kar.  Sett.)  She  was  85  years  old  at  the  time  of  her  death,  and 
had  long  been  a  valued  mother  among  the  families  of  the  early  settlers. 
She  had  a  large  family  of  children,  ten,  her  grave-stone  says,  and  she 
Lft  175  grand-  and  great-grandchildren.  Her  children  that  lived  to 
have  families  of  their  own  were  all  daughters,  and  married  in  different 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING, 


129 


families  of  the  first  settlers ;  and  although  her  name  has  become  extinct 
among  the  present  inhabitants  of  the  town,  her  blood  still  runs  in  the 
veins  of  many  of  them.  She  was  long  nurse,  midwife,  and  medical 
attendant  generally. 

1705.  —  Stephen,  son  of  Samuel  Dix,  was  drowned  in  the  Great 
Pond. 

1706. — Mr.  John  Rogers,  of  Salem,  was  appointed  "to  teach  read- 
ing, writing,  casting  accounts,  and  the  Latin  and  Greek  tongues,  for 
four  months,  at  ,£3  per  month." 

This  year,  five  Indians  from  a  party  who  had  attacked  Dunstable 
ventured  down  to  this  town,  and  surprised  and  attacked  the  family  of 
John  Harnden,  who  occupied  a  lonely  cottage  that  was  situated  in 
what  was  then  the  northwesterly  part  of  Reading,  but  which,  at  the  in- 
corporation of  the  town  of  Wilmington  in  1730,  was  included  within 
the  bounds  of  that  town.  It  is  said  that  the  cottage,  long  since  gone, 
stood  some  sixty  or  seventy  rods  southerly  of  the  house  now  or  recently 
occupied  by  Jonathan  Harnden,  of  Wilmington,  in  a  pasture,  where  the 
cellar  and  well  may  still  be  seen,  near  a  large  rock,  since  called  "  In- 
dian Rock."  The  attack  was  made  in  the  night-time ;  Mr.  Harnden 
himself,  it  is  said,  was  absent,  leaving  his  wife  and  eight  children  at 
home  ;  the  Indians  descended  through  the  roof  of  the  house  (it  was  a 
low  house)  and  killed  Mrs.  Harnden  and  three  children,  and  carried 
away  the  rest ;  but  the  children  were  recovered  by  the  pursuers.  They 
left  the  house  standing.  It  was  afterwards  occupied  by  a  French 
family  by  the  name  of  Labador,  whose  business  it  was  to  pick  to  pieces 
old  cloths  and  make  them  into  new ;  they  wore  wooden  shoes.  The 
"  Shoddy  "  manufacture  is  not  new. 

Agreement  with  a  schoolmaster:  — 

Whereas  we,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  are  empowered  and  intrusted  by  the 
town  of  Reading  for  the  giting  and  procuring  of  a  Granier  Scool  master,  we  have 
therefore  agreed  accordingly  with  Mr.  John  Rogers,  of  Salem,  to  teach  as  followeth,  viz  : 
Reading,  writing,  casting  accompts,  and  to  teach  them  the  Latin  and  Greek  tongue, 
for  the  space  of  four  months,  commencing  the  fifteenth  day  of  November  hence  insu- 
ing,  until  the  fifteenth  of  March  foloing,  for  the  satisfaction  whereof,  we,  hoe  are  the 
subscribers,  doe  oblig  ourselves  and  Selectmen  for  the  time  being  to  pay  or  cause  to 
be  payd  unto  the  said  Rogers  the  just  sum  of  twelve  pound,  current  money  of  New 
England,  in  confirmation  whereof  both  parties  have  set  to  there  hands. 

JOHN   ROGERS. 
By  order  of  ye  Selectmen,  JNO.  HERBERT,  Clerk. 

This  was  probably  the  John  Rogers  who  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in 
1705,  became  a  clergyman,  and  died  in  1755. 


,-Q  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

1707.  — "  Mr.  Lewis  was  appointed  School  Master,  at  eleven  pounds 
for  four  months,  and   so  proportionable  for  more  time."     This  may 
hive  been  Daniel  Lewis,  who  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1707,  became 
a  clergyman,  and  died  1753. 

Town  voted  "  that  the  Masters,  and  parents  of  the  scolers,  that  goes 
to  scoole  shall  find  the  scoole  wood." 

"  Capt  John  Browne  and  Left.  Hanani.  Parker  were  chosen  a  Com- 
mittee to  joyne  the  Selectmen  in  order  to  provide  a  Scool  Master  for 
the  towne  scool." 

1708.  —  The  town  voted  "that  the  northwest  corner  of  the  towne 
shall  have  the  scoole  kept  in  there  end  one  quarter  part  of  the  time  for 
this  present  year,  and  Ensign  Parker  was  added  to  the  Scoole  Com." 

The  part  of  the  town  here  referred  to  is  what  is  now  Reading,  and 
Ensign  Parker  was  probably  Nathaniel. 
Agreement  with  a  teacher :  — 

Whereas  wee,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  are  impoured  and  intrusted  by  the 
Town  of  Readding  for  the  giting  and  procuring  of  a  Gramer  Scoole  Master  ;  we  have 
therefore  agreed  accordingly  with  Mr.  John  Webb  of  Brantrey  to  teach  as  foloeth, 
viz  :  reading,  writing,  casting  accoumpts  and  ( to  teach  the  latine  and  greek  tongues 
for  the  space  of  three  months  commensing  the  nineteenth  day  of  October  until  the 
nineteenth  of  Janewary  next  insuing ;  and  for  the  satisfaction  whereof,  if  he  discon- 
tinues to  keep  the  scoole  any  longer,  then  we,  who  are  the  subscribers  do  oblig  our- 
selves and  the  Selectmen  for  the  time  being  to  pay  or  cause  to  be  payd  unto  the  above 
said  \Yebb  the  sum  of  Eight  pounds  five  shillings  in  current  money  of  New  England, 
that  is  to  say,  in  silver  at  fifteen  pennywait  the  pece  of  Eight,  and  bills  of  credit.  But 
before  the  three  months  was  expired,  on  the  fourth  day  of  Janewary,  at  a  meeting  of 
the  Selectmen  and  Comity,  they  did  then  agree  with  the  said  Webb  to  continuy  the 
scpol  for  one  whole  year,  including  the  three  months,  which  year  will  expire  the  nine- 
teenth of  October  next  insuing  ;  and  the  Selectmen  and  Commite  for  the  time  being 
doe  oblig  themselves  and  the  Selectmen  and  Commite  to  pay  or  cause  to  be  payd 
unto  the  above  said  Webb,  the  sum  of  thirty  pounds  Current  money  of  New  England 
as  aforesaid  at  or  before  the  nineteenth  of  October  1709  ;  and  for  the  trew  perform- 
ance of  the  above  said  premisis  we  have  hereunto  interchangeable  set  our  hands. 

JXO    HERBERT,   Town   Clerk. 

Mr.  Webb  does  not  appear  to  have  signed  the  agreement.  He  was 
probably  the  same  John  Webb  who  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1708, 
became  a  clergyman,  and  died  in  1750. 

1709.  —  This  year,  Rev.  Jonathan  Pierpont,  fourth  minister  of  Read- 
ing, died,  aged  44.  (See  Ear.  Sett,  for  more  particular  account.) 

At  a  meeting  of  inhabitants  of  Reading,  and  our  adjacent  neighbors 
of  Charlestown  and  Lynn,  voted  for  a  candidate  for  minister.  Persons 


OF  TH&   TOWN  OF  READING.  131 

nominated,  viz :  Mr.  Flint,  Mr.  Mather,  and  Mr.  Williams.  Mr.  Aza- 
riah  Mather  was  chosen  by  a  majority  of  votes,  as  follows  :  By  Reading, 
68vvotes;  by  Lynn  End,  n  votes  (unanimous);  by  Charlestown  End, 
votes  (unanimous).  Mr.  Mather  was  not  obtained.  He  was  probably 
the  son  of  Rev.  Samuel,  of  Windsor,  grandson  of  Timothy,  and  great- 
grandson  of  Richard,  of  Dorchester  j  was  born  1685;  settled  at  Say- 
brook,  where  he  died  in  1737. 

The  inhabitants  and  proprietors  on  the  north  side  of  Ipswich  River 
and  on  Sadler's  Neck,  this  year  asked  the  advice  of  the  town  where  to 
sett  their  meeting-house.  The  town  chose  Major  (Jeremiah)  Swain, 
Left.  (Hananiah)  Parker,  and  Capt.  (Tho.)  Nichols  a  committee  to 
ascertain  the  minds  of  those  inhabitants  and  proprietors,  and  so  advise 
them  accordingly. 

Town  voted  that  the  town  school  shall  be  kept  in  the  Woodend  one 
quarter  part  of  the  time  this  year. 

Ordered  a  Range-way  to  be  sold  near  Parker's  Saw-pit. 

1710.  —  Town  voted  "that  ten  acres  of  land  at  the  Pond  Head  be 
fenced  for  seven  years  for  a  pasture  to  keep  the  town  Rams,  if  any  men 
appear  to  fence  it  at  their  own  cost;  only  they  shall  have  the  grass  to 
mow  early  in  June,  and  to  keep  it  after  for  the  rams.     The  rams  to  be 
kept  from  the  i6th  of  August  to  the  i6th  of  November ;  and  every  man 
that  brings  his  rams  shall  pay  2s.  a  head  yearly  to  them  that  fence  it  in, 
and  no  creatures  to  feed  there  but  the  rams." 

In  March,  town  voted  "  to  invite  Mr.  Baker  to  preach  on  probation 
as  our  minister."  He  came  not.  Perhaps  this  was  Rev.  Daniel  Baker, 
son  of  Daniel,  of  Yarmouth,  who  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1706,  and 
died  in  1731. 

In  July,  town  voted  a  concurrence  (70  to  7)  with  the  church,  in  ex- 
tending a  call  to  Mr.  Corwin  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  offered 
;£8o  salary.  He  was  not  obtained.  This  was  probably  Rev.  George 
Corwin,  or  Curwin,  who  became  minister  of  the  first  church  in  Salem  ; 
son  of  Jonathan,  of  Salem,  born  1683  ;  Har.  Coll.  1701,  and  died  1717. 

Mr.  Tompson  appointed  to  keep  the  town  school  for  6  mo.  at  the 
rate  of  30  pounds  per  year. 

1711.  —  The  north  side  of  Ipswich  River  petition  to  be  set  off  as  a 
distinct  parish.     Petition  not  granted  at  this  time. 

In  this  year  and  in  the  preceding,  expeditions  were  formed  against 
the  French  and  Indians  at  Nova  Scotia  and  Canada.  Several  regi- 
ments went  from  Massachusetts,  one  of  which  was  commanded  by  Sir 


132 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Charles  Hobby,  uncle  to  Rev.  Wm.  Hobby,  who  afterwards  settled  in 
Reading.  Among  those  who  went  in  those  expeditions,  and  other  suc- 
ceeding expeditions  in  the  same  direction,  from  Reading,  were :  — 

Lieut.  Benj.  Poole,  William  Brown, 

"      Timothy  Goodwin,  Henry  Chandler, 

"      Samuel  Eaton,  Jacob  Clark, 

Sergt.  Samuel  Harnden,  Jonathan  Smith, 

"      Samuel  Poole,  Thomas  Eaton, 

"      Benj.  Nichols,  Richard  Brown, 

Centinel  Benj.  Burnap,  Adam  Brown, 
Jona.  Eaton,  who  d,  at  Annapolis  Royal     John  Smith, 

1711,  John  Brock, 

Samuel  Pike,  Ebenezer  Smith, 

Moses  Eaton  (killed,)  James  Nichols, 

John  Parker,  Ebenezer  Weston, 

James  Eitzhenry,  Robert  Pierce, 

Edward  Chamberlain,  John  Poole, 

Thomas  Bancroft,  William  Boyd, 

Joseph  Arnold,  Edward  Pratt, 

John  Boutwell,  Thomas  Damon, 

Samuel  Lampson,  Abraham  Foster, 

Samuel  Hartshorn,  Ebenezer  Nichols, 

Ebenezer  Damon,  Joseph  Bancroft, 

William  Eaton,  Ebenezer  Persons, 

Benjamin  Eaton,  Jonathan  Pierson, 

Stephen  Bryant,  Parker. 

George  Brock, 

This  year,  the  town  voted,  with  only  four  dissenting  votes,  to  invite 
Rev.  Richard  Browne,  of  Newbury,  to  settle  as  minister  of  Reading. 

The  town  chose  a  committee  "  to  treat  with  Mrs.  Pierpoint  about 
buying  her  house."  It  has  been  already  stated  (see  1681)  that  the 
first  parsonage  place  became  the  property,  partly  by  gift  and  partly  by 
sale,  of  Rev.  Mr.  Pierpoint,  but  the  town  voted  to  proceed  to  the  erec- 
tion of  a  new  parsonage. 

Voted,  "to  build  a  ministerial  house  of  40  feet  long,  19  feet  wide  and 
15  feet  stud,  with  a  room  on  the  back  side  15  feet  square,  and  to  build 
a  barn  20  feet  square,  n  feet  stud,  and  leanto  on  one  side  or  one  end, 
for  the  use  of  the  ministry."  Voted,  also,  to  "  lay  a  pasture  for  the  min- 
istry from  the  Pound  Square  to  the  highway."  Subsequently  voted 
"that  the  house  shall  be  41  feet  long-,  19  feet  broad  and  15  feet  stud, 
with  a  leanto  on  the  back  side,  the  length  of  the  house,  n  or  12  feet 
broad." 

N.  B.  — This  was  the  second  parsonage  house,  and  was  a  portion  of 
the  building  long  known  as  the  "  Prentiss  House,"  on  the  corner  of 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


133 


Common  and  Lafayette  Streets.  It  was  enlarged  in  1739  to  its  latest 
size  and  form.  It  was  subsequently  sold  to  Rev.  Caleb  Prentiss,  as 
will  hereafter  appear. 

There  wereso^many  desertions  from  the  military  and  naval  forces  be- 
longing to  the  expeditions  above  named,  while  detained  at  Boston,  that 
the  General  Court  passed  an  "  Act  to  punish  all  such  as  should  entice, 
harbor,  conceal  or  convey  away  any  soldier,  marine  or  sailor  of  Her 
Majesty's  land  and  sea  forces  raised  in  the  province  for  the  present 
expedition."  This  act  was  read  and  published  by  beat  of  drum,  at 
Reading,  at  8  o'clock,  A.  M.,  July  5,  1711. 

1712.  —  This  year,  Rev.  Richard  Brown  was  settled  as  the  minister  of 
the  town!  (See  Ear.  Sett.)  The  town  voted,  "  that  if  Mr.  Richard 
Brown  should  die  and  leave  a  widow  here  in  Reading,  the  town  will 
upon  their  own  cost  and  charge  transport  Mrs.  Brown  to  Newbury." 

"  Mr.  Dodge  was  chosen  Schoolmaster  for  3  years  at  30  pounds  per 
year."  This  was  probably  Daniel  Dodge,  of  Wenham,  and  brother  of 
Samuel  Dodge,  who  married  in  1705,  Mary,  dau.  of  Hananiah  Parker, 
of  Reading.  A  Daniel  Dodge,  perhaps  the  schoolmaster  aforesaid,  was 
of  Har.  Coll.  in  1710. 

"The  worthy  Capt.  Herbert  being  deceased,  Francis  Smith  was 
chosen  Clerk  and  Selectman  in  his  stead." 

1713. — This  year,  the  town  voted,  "to  fence  in  3^  acres  of  land  for 
the  ministry,  to  lye  between  Tho.  Bryant's  house  and  the  Meeting- 
house, near  the  Pond,  in  the  most  convenient  place,  and  leave  out  to 
the  Common,  from  the  back  side  of  Cann's  house  a  straight  line  to  the 
Draw  bars  near  the  horse  block." 

Then  voted,  "  in  lieu  of  the  above,  four  acres,  to  be  fenced  in  on  the 
back  side  of  the  Meeting-house,  and  so  down  to  the  Pond." 

N.  B.  —  This  refers  to  the  old  meeting-house,  which  stood  in  the 
second  burial-ground,  near  where  now  is  the  tomb  of  Rev.  John  Mellen, 
and  of  course  describes  the  same  piece  of  land,  concerning  which  there 
was,  a  few  years  since,  a  warmly  contested  lawsuit,  viz.  :  "  Emerson 
versus  Wiley."  (See  Mass.  Law  Reports.) 

This  year,  "  so  much  of  the  territory  of  the  town  as  lies  north  of  Ips- 
wich River,"  together  with  "  Sadler's  Neck,"  so  called,  was  set  off  as  a 
distinct  Parish  by  the  name  of  the  "North  Precinct." 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  North  Precinct,  Nov.  27,  Sergt.  Geo. 
Flint  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  John  Harnden,  Clerk. 

Town  voted  "to  refund  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  new  Precinct  what 
they  have  paid  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Browne  for  the  present  year." 


13.  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

The  circumstances  and  conditions  of  the  north  part  of  the  town  hav- 
ing become  what  was  anticipated  in  1696  that  they  would  be,  this 
second  parish  was  set  off  without  any  opposition. 

Town  voted  "  that  the  town  will  give  something  to  the  new  Precinct 
in  convenient  time." 

1714.  —  Town  voted  "to  give  to  North  Precinct  thirty  pounds,  one 
half  when  they  have  finished  their  Meeting-house,  and  the  other  half 
when  they  build  a  ministerial  house." 

Town  voted  "to  procure  a  new  Bell,  not  to  cost  over  50  pounds." 

1715.  —  Jonathan   Pierpont  was  appointed  schoolmaster  at  £40  per 
year. 

Thomas  Pierpont,  brother  of  the  above,  only  fifteen  years  old,  taught 
school  in  the  Woodend. 

The  North  Precinct  received  for  schooling  this  year  £2  16^. 

1716.  —  Jonathan  Pierpont  again  appointed  schoolmaster., 

1717.  —  Dr.  Daniel  Felch  and  others  objected  to  the  sale  by  the  town 
of  Range  lands. 

Hannah  Felch,  wid.  of  Henry,  one  of  the  very  early  settlers,  died 
this  year,  aged  100,  nearly. 

John  Browne,  Esq.,  an  early  settler,  and  one  of  the  most  able,  useful, 
and  respected,  died  this  year,  March  n,  aged  83.  He  is  called  <v  The 
worshipful  John  Browne  "  in  the  "  Indian  Deed."  He  was  buried  in  the 
most  ancient  burial-ground,  near  the  site  of  the  old  Town  House,  where 
his  grave-stone  has  been  seen,  reading  as  follows  :  "  To  the  memory  of 
Capt.  John  Browne,  Esq.,  who,  after  he  had  served  his  generation  by 
the  will  of  God,  fell  asleep  Mar.  n,  1717,  aged  abt.  83. 

Witty,  yet  wise,  grave,  good,  among  the  best, 

Was  he  ;  (the  memory  of  the  just  is  blest) ; 

Prudent,  a  pattern,  and  more  I  say, 

A  hearty  mourner  for  the  sins  of  the  day : 

Bless'd  God,  when  dying,  that  he  fear'd  not  death, 

His  pious  soul  took  wings,  gave  up  her  breath, 

Dropp'd  here  her  mantle  in  the  silent  dust 

Which  waits  the  resurrection  of  the  just." 

The  North  Precinct  voted  this  year  "  to  settle  a  minister  amongst 
them  as  fast  as  they  can  and  in  the  best  method  they  can  ;  "  and  "  to 
give  him,  that  shall  be  chosen,  twelve  acres  of  land  and  fourscore 
pounds  in  building  and  manuring."  Voted  "  not  to  finish  the  Meeting- 
house." N.  B.  —  This  unfinished  house  was  situated,  it  is  said,  on  the 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


'35 


ground  now  or  lately  occupied  by  Dr.  Grosvenor's  garden.  It  was 
afterwards  used  as  a  school-house,  and  at  last  as  a  cabinet-shop  by 
Wm.  Eaton. 

1718.  —  North  Precinct  voted  "to  give  Mr.  Daniel  Putnam  twenty 
acres  of  land,  exchanged  with  Sergt.  Flint  and  Sergt.  Eaton,  if  Mr.  Put- 
nam be  our  minister." 

Also  voted  "  to  build  Mr.  Putnam  an  house  of  28  feet  long,  19  feet 
wide,  and  15  feet  stud,  a  'Lenter '  on  the  back  side  10  feet  stud,  three 
chimneys  from  the  ground,  and  chamber  chimney,  and  convenient  par- 
lor, and  a  convenient  well,  in  lieu  of  the  100  pounds,  if  Mr.  Putnam 
find  nails  and  glass  for  the  house." 

Petition  of  the  North  Precinct  for  common  land  :  "  To  the  freehold- 
ers and  other  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Reading,  qualified  to  vote  in 
town  affairs :  Hon'd  fathers  and  Christian  brethren,  Inasmuch  as  it 
has  pleased  the  Lord  of  his  goodness  to  incline  your  hearts  to  give  us 
.£30,  one  half  when  we  build  and  finish  our  meetinghouse  and  the  other 
half  when  we  build  our  minister  house,  We  think  it  our  duty  to  return 
you  all  humble  and  hearty  thanks  for  your  love  therein  to  us  expresst. 
And  if  it  might  please  the  Lord  to  incline  your  hearts,  now  in  our  be- 
ginnings, to  give  us  the  common  land  that  lyeth  in  our  Precinct,  near 
our  meetinghouse,  for  ministerial  use,  so  we  may  be  a  building  a  min- 
ister's house,  we  shall  readily  accept  it  and  account  it  an  act  of  your 
Christian  charity  and  compassion  towards  us,  who  are  and  remain  your 
humble  servants. 

Ezekiel  Upton,  Joseph  Upton,  Senf, 

Joseph  Upton,  Ezekiel  Upton,  Jr., 

John  Eaton,  Wm.  Flint, 

Henry  Phelps,  Ebenezer  Flint, 

hi"  Geo.  Flint, 

»KiCh  ^  ^  Gea  Flint'  Jr" 

SamT  Mclntire,  JosePh  Swallow, 

hi8  Saml.  Phelps, 

John  X  Upton,  Sen.,  hu 

mark  Tho.  X  Burr,  Sen. 

his  mark 

John  X  Upton,  Jr.,  !lis 

mark  V  Tho.  X  Burt,  Jr., 

Jonathan  Parker,  ""£* 

Joseph^  Upton,  Jr.,  J°na'JrkMcIntire' 

!Tk  m"lt 

i£       v*  TT~(  David  X  Mclntire, 

Jona.  X  Upton, 

mark  T  .     _^     . 

hl,  Joseph  Pudney, 

Philip  X  Mclntire,  John  Eaton,  Jr. 

mark 


j.,6  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

See  another  petition  for  use  of  common  land  in  Appendix  E. 

1719.  —  Thomas  Oliver,  of  Cambridge,  who  graduated  at  the  College 
this  year,  was  appointed  schoolmaster,  and  held  the  office  for  three 
years.  (See  Rev.  Richard  Browne's  letter  on  deficiency  of  salary  in  the 
Appendix  F.) 

i>j20. — Rev.  Daniel  Putnam,  from  Danvers,  who  graduated  at  the 
College  in  1717,  was  this  year  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  second  church 
in  Reading  (the  Precinct).  There  were  thirty-nine  members  of  the 
church  when  Mr.  Putnam  was  settled. 

The  town  voted  "  to  let  the  South  Easterly  part  of  the  town  have 
liberty  to  set  a  school  house  on  the  Common  land,  where  they  think  fit, 
in  some  convenient  place." 

The  settlement  of  the  territory  now  constituting  North  Reading,  was 
probably  commenced  soon  after  the  laying  out  of  the  "  two  mile  grant," 
in  1666.  About  1680  we  find  located  on  the  territory  six  families, 
namely  :  — 

Francis  Hutchinson. 

Thomas  Burt,  lived  probably  in  that  part  of  Reading  that  became  a 
part  of  Wilmington. 

John  Phelps  ;  "  Phelps'  Field,"  on  Park  Street,  near  Middleton  line, 
where  is  an  old  cellar-hole,  was  probably  the  ancient  seat  of  the  family. 

John  Upton,  Sen.,  lived,  it  is  supposed,  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by 
Mrs.  Sylvester  F.  Haywood. 

John  Upton,  Jr.,  probably  lived  on  the  place  recently  owned  by 
Charles  F.  Flint,  Esq. 

Philip  Mclntire  ;  an  ancient  family  seat  of  the  Mclntires  was  in  Thos. 
Rayner's  field,  northeast  of  his  house,  where  is  a  cellar-hole. 

In  1682  to  1684:  — 

George  Flint,  occupied  a  house  that  stood  on  the  place  now  owned 
by  Jacob  Cowing,  and  was  a  garrison  house. 

Richard  Harnden,  lived  in  that  part  of  Reading  that  was  set  to  Wil- 
mington. 

John  Burnap,  lived  on  the  place  recently  occupied  by  Charles  Holt, 
where  the  house  and  barn  were 'burned  in  1867. 

John  Thompson. 

David  Hartshorn,  lived  where  the  late  Timothy  Hartshorn  formerly 
lived,  in  what  is  now  Reading. 

Samuel  Cowdrey. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


137 


Ephraim  Savage  owned  land  in  Precinct,  but  lived  in  South  Parish, 
and  removed  to  Boston. 

Thomas  Rice. 

Adam  Colson. 

In  1685  and  '6  : 

Isaac  Hart  lived    where  Mrs.  Hannah  A.,  wid.  of  Peter  G.  Flint, 
now  lives. 

Francis  Nurse. 

William  Russell. 

James  Kebbe. 

Samuel  Leman. 

In  1687  lo  '89: 

Edward  Polly. 

Thomas  Taylor. 

Samuel  Chadwick. 

Edward  Taylor. 

David  Merrow. 

William  Hooper. 

John  Felch. 

Samuel  Dix,  on  the  late  Barnard  place. 

In  1691,  John  Eaton. 

In  1692,  Samuel  Parker. 
"      Stephen  Weston. 

1720. — The  following  is  a  list  of  tax-payers,  in  the  Precinct,  at  the 
time  of  Mr.  Putnam's  ordination  :  — 

Cap*.  (Tho.?)  Bryant  Jonathan  Mclntire. 

Tho.  Burt,  Jr.  Samuel  Mclntire. 

Ebenezer  BurL  Ebenezer  Mclntire.    . 

Robert  Brayford.  David  Mclatire. 

Edmund  Chamberlain.  Thomas  Nichols. 

Samuel  Dix.  John  Norish. 

Benjamin  Damon.  John  Phelps. 

Mr.  John  Eaton,  Sen.  Henry  Phelps. 

Thomas  Eaton.  Joseph  Pudney. 

George  Flint.  Lt  Jonathan  Parker. 

Ebenezer  Flint,  Sen.  Ebenezer  Russell. 

Ebenezer  Flint,  Jr.  Francis  Nurse. 

William  Flint  Stephen  Roper. 

Nathaniel  Flint  Thomas  Rich. 

Ebenezer  Fish.  John  Rich. 

Stephen  Fish.  William  Sawyer. 

Daniel  Gooing.  Joseph  Swallow. 

John  Harnden.  Dacon  Taylor. 
18 


138 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Benjamin  Harnden.  John  Upton,  Sen. 

Benjamin  Harnden,  Jr.  John  Upton,  Jr. 

Adam  Hart.  Joseph  Upton,  Sen. 

Thomas  Hutchinson.  Joseph  Upton,  Jr. 

Edward  Hurcom.  Ezekiel  Upton,  Sen. 

Zachariah  Howard.  Ezekiel  Upton,  Jr. 

Samuel  Leman.  Jonathan  Upton. 

Samuel  Lewis.  Stephen  Wright. 
John  Lewis. 
A  division  of  the  First  Parish  is  talked  of. 

1721.  — Town  voted,  "in  order  to  explain  and  strengthen  the  Com- 
mittee, viz:  Capt.  Burnap,  Capt  Poole  and  Mr.  Timothy  Goodwin,  who 
were  chosen  to  look  after  the  town  right  in  the  herbage  in  Lynn  Com- 
mon, it  is  our  meaning  therein  that  said  Committee  is  fully  empowered 
to  prosecute  any  person  or  persons  that  shall  fence  in  land,  the  herbage 
of  which  belongs  in  Common  to  the  towns  of  Lynn  and  Reading ; 
with  power  to  treat  with  our  Lynn  friends  in  an  order  to  an  agreement ; 
and  with  power  to  sell  our  town  right  in  that  land  that  Atwell  and 
Rhoades  have  fenced  in." 

Voted  also  "  to  take  their  share  of  the  Fifty  Thousand  pounds,  issued 
by  the  Court."  This  was  an  issue  by  the  General  Court  of  what  was 
called  "  Bills  of  Credit,"  and  was  distributed  to  the  several  towns  in 
proportion  to  their  taxes ;  the  bills  to  be  repaid  at  a  specified  time. 

Town  voted  "  to  let  out  this  money  at  '  five  in  the  hundred ' ;  and 
that  no  man  shall  draw  out  more  than  twenty  pounds,  and  no  man  less 
than  five  pounds,  and  any  sum  between  the  two ;  that  the  bonds  shall 
run  for  one  year ;  and  that  trustees  shall  have  a  seventh  part  of  the 
interest  on  the  money  that  shall  be  let  out,  for  their  trouble." 

Voted  to  choose  trustees  by  a  paper  vote. 

Chose  for  trustees  :  Peter  Emerson,  Thomas  Bancroft,  and  Thomas 
Poole. 

Voted  the  interest  money  to  pay  town  charges. 

"  A  catalogue  of  the  brethren  and  sisters  in  full  communion  in  the 
first  church  in  Reading,  hereunder  followeth :  Jan.  3,  1720-1. 

Richard  Brown,  Pastor.  Anna,  dau.  of  Peter  and  Anna  Emerson. 

Martha  Brown,  his  wife.  Mary  Burt. 

Dea.  Tho.  Boutwell  and  Abigail  his  wife.  John  Pratt  and  wife. 

Dea.  Tho.  Nichols  and  Rebecca  his  wife.  Sarah  Pratt,  dau.  of  above. 

Joel  Jenkins.  Wid.  Brown. 

John  Townsend  and  Sarah  his  wife.  John  Batchelder  and  his  wife. 

Tho.  Bancroft  and  Mary  his  wife.  Wid.  Batchelder. 

Lydia  Bancroft.  Ebenezer  Nichols  and  his  wife. 

Wid.  Sarah  Bancroft.  John  Dix  and  his  wife. 

Samuel  Bancroft  and  Sarah  his  wife.  Lt.  Swain  and  his  wife. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


139 


Raham  Bancroft  and  Abigail  his  wife. 

Stephen  Western  and  Sarah  his  wife. 

Phebe  Rice. 

Joseph  Damon  and  Mary  his  wife. 

Kendall  Goodwin  and  Mary  his  wife. 

Hannah  Weston. 

\Vid.  Mary  Weston. 

Mary  Felch, 

John  Parker  and  Elizabeth  his  wife. 

Nathaniel  Goodwin  and  Mary  his  wife. 

Wid. Parker. 

Deborah  Temple. 

John  Boutwell  and  Sarah  his  wife. 

Sarah  Foster. 

Abigail  Nichols. 

Mary,  wife  of  John  Fish. 

Joseph  Parker  and  Elizabeth  his  wife. 

Joseph  Eaton  and  Mary  his  wife.    . 

Samuel  Lilley  and  Hannah  his  wife. 

Jeremiah  Swain  and  Sarah  his  wife. 

John  Merrow,  Jr.,  and  Ann  his  wife. 

Deliverance,  wife  of  John  Merrow,  Sen. 

Nathaniel  Parker,  Jr.,  and  Eliz'h  his  wife. 

Wid.  Sarah  Bryant. 

Nathaniel  Stow. 

Sarah  Bryant 

Mehitabel  Bryant. 

James  Nichols. 

Sarah  Nichols. 

Joseph  Burnap  and  his  wife. 

Tho.  Poole  and  Rebecca  his  wife. 

Nathaniel  Parker,  Sen.,  and  his  wife. 

Samuel  Damon  and  his  wife. 

Wid.  Grace  Boutwell. 

Tabitha  Boutwell. 

Samuel  Lamson  and  Elizabeth  his  wife. 

Jonathan  Parker  and  Barbara  his  wife. 

Joanna  Nichols. 

Jonathan  Nichols  and  Phebe  his  wife. 

Nath'l  Batchelder  and  Hannah  his  wife. 

Timo.  Hartshorn,  Sen.,  and  his  wife. 

Timo.  Hartshorn,  Jr. 

Eben.  Emerson  and  Mary  his  wife. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  Stephen  Parker. 

Goodwife  Roberts. 

Dorcas  Brown. 

Abigail  Roberts. 

Sarah  Poole. 

John  Woodward  and  his  wife. 

Peter  Emerson  and  Anna  his  wife. 


Ruth  Boutwell. 

Lt.  Hananiah  Parker  and  his  wife. 
Ebenezer  Parker  and  his  wife. 
Susanna  Townsend. 
Susanna  Brown. 
Anna  Brown. 

Edward  Brown  and  his  wife. 
John  Brown  and  his  wife. 
Mary,  wife  to  Samuel  Brown. 
Serg't  Thomas  Burnap  and  his  wife. 
Mary  and  Rebecca  Burnap. 
Jonathan  Poole  and  Esther  his  wife. 
Thomas  Weston. 
Benjamin  Poole. 
Wid.  Jeaggles. 

Tho.  Nichols  and  Mary  his  wife. 
Capt.  Jona.  Poole  and  Bridget  his  wife. 
Timo.  Wiley,  Sen.,  and  his  wife. 
John  Wiley  and  his  wife. 
Mary  Wiley. 
John  Smith  and  his  wife. 
James  Smith  and  Abigail  his  wife. 
*Dea.  Francis  Smith. 
Isaac  Smith  and  his  wife. 
Timo.  Goodwin  and  his  wife. 
Mrs.  Pierpont 
Mr.  Jonathan  Pierpont. 
William  Bryant  and  Rebecca  his  wife. 
Benj.  Burnap  and  Elizabeth  his  wife. 
Mary  Hodgman. 

Kendall  Boutwell  and  Lucy  his  wife. 
Mary  Boutwell. 

Dea.  John  Goodwin  and  his  wife. 
Tabitha  Goodwin. 
Mary  Goodwin. 

William  Hay  and  Abigail  his  wife. 
Wid.  Rebecca  Davis. 
John  Nichols,  Sen.,  and  his  wife. 
John  Nichols,  Jr. 
Wid.  Dorcas  Bryant 
Kendall  Bryant  and  his  wife. 
Tabitha  Briant 
Tho.  Damon  and  his  wife. 
Mary  and  Lydia  Eaton. 
Jonathan  Eaton  and  his  wife.  • 
Lt.  Kendall  Parker  and  his  wife. 
Wid.  Taylor. 
Wid.  Brown. 
Wid.  Cowdrey. 
Tabitha,  Susanna  and  Elizabeth  Cowdrey. 


140 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


"  Members  of  our  Church  in  our  Maulden  (Melrose^  neighborhood": 
Thomas  Upham  and  his  wife.  Thos.  Green  and  his  wife. 

Elizabeth  Upham.  Ye  wife  of  James  Taylor. 

Ye  wife  of  Richard  Upham. 

"  Members  of  this  Church  belonging  to  Lynn  End  (Lynnfield)  not  yet  dismissed  "  : 

Lt  Jno.  Poole  and  Mary  his  wife.  Hannah  Walton. 

Judith  Poole.  Wm.  Russell  (of  So.  Vill)  and  Elizabeth 
Sarah  Prates.  his  wife. 

Kendall  Pierson  and  Lydia  his  wife.  William  Batchelder. 

Rebecca  Williams.  Goody  Wellman. 

Samuel  Hart.  Isaac  Wellman  and  his  wife. 

Sarah  Hart.  Joshua  Felt  and  his  mother. 

Shubail  Stearns.  Sarah  Hawkes. 

"Members  of  this  Church  in  our  Charlestown  (Stoneham)  neighborhood"  : 

Wid.  Goold.  Judith  Gould. 

Daniel  Gould,  Sen.,  and  his  wife.  Ye  wife  of  Jno.  Goold,  Jr. 

Ebenezer  Knight  and  his  wife.  Timo.  Bauldwin  and  wife. 

Naomi  Holden.  Mrs.  Hay. 

Thomas  Gary's  wife.  Hannah  Hay. 

Wid.  Belcher.  Mrs.  Abigail  Gary. 

Joanna  Lawrence.  Goody  Cutler. 

Mercy  Parker. 

Of  Reading,  184 ;  Lynn  End,  20 ;  Maulden,  7 ;  Charlestown,  25.  Total,  236. 
Recorded  by  Richard  Brown." 

There  were  dismissed  from  Reading  Church  in  1720,  to  join  Lynn 
End  -Church  (Lynnfield)  :  John  Pearson,  John  Townsend,  Samuel 
Parker,  William  Eaton,  James  Pearson,  and  John  Going  ;  and  to  join 
the  North  Precinct  Church :  Tho.  Bryant,  John  Eaton,  Tho.  Taylor, 
Jona.  Parker,  Samuel  Dix,  Samuel  Lewis,  Caleb  Taylor,  Tho.  Nichols 
(who  returned),  Wm.  Flint,  Benj.  Damon,  Samuel  Leman,  and  Thomas 
Burt. 

The  small-pox  prevailed  in  the  town  to  an  alarming  degree,  espe- 
cially in  the  North  Precinct. 

1722.  —  The  First  Parish  this  year  voted  that  Jona.  Poole,  Esq.,  Dea. 
Tho.  Nichols,  Capt.  Joseph  Burnap,  and  Ensign  Tho.  Bancroft  be  a 
Committee  to  consider  how  and  where  to  enlarge  the  parsonage  and  to 
make  report. 

An  extract  from  first  church  record :  — 

"  Anno  1722.  —  There  having  been  sad  confusions,  which  I  often  have  observed  for 
several  years  past  (and  did  cften  in  the  Public  mention  which  trouble  and  pray  might 
be  reformed),  in  our  singing  ;  some  were  above  others,  some  before  others,  and  all 
was,  as  I  apprehended,  for  want  of  going  more  together,  which  I  urged  to  no  purpose. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


141 


And  understanding  that  there  was  a  Rule,  I  looked  on  it,  and  conceiving  ye  knowl- 
edge and  keeping  of  the  Rule,  would  prevent  this  confusion  in  that  part  of  our  pub- 
lic worship,  I  promoted  learning  to  sing  to  that  end  ;  several  public  lectures  were  had 
to  promote  it;  then  I  preached  by  myself,  and  2d  by  Mr.  Wm.  Symes  and  3d  by  Mr. 
Fiske,  where  much  was  said  to  incourage  it  and  in  each  of  which  they  sang  four  times 
exact  by  the  Rule,  no  man  opposing ;  a  school  was  set  up ;  many,  both  men  and 
women,  learnt ;  some  indeed  were  not  so  clear  in  it,  (as  by  mistake)  conceiving  it  po- 
pery ;  but  at  length  having  been  incouraged  by  several,  as  by  all  the  Deacons,  Capt. 
Poole,  Capt.  Burnap,  Ensign  Bancroft,  SergL  Tho.  Poole,  Lt  Bryant  and  Lt.  Kendall 
Parker,  (most  of  whom  came  to  the  school),  that  learnt,  the  first  night  they  begun, 
(they?)  sung  with  the  wisht  success,  (4  of  his  family)  (Kendall  Parker's)  attended 
the  school,  he  learnt  himself;  sang  by  Rule  in  his  family  diverse  months  together  ; 
and,  as  I  observed,  after  sung  by  Rule  in  the  Public,  and  as  I  hear  set  the  tune  by 
Rule  3  times  in  the  public,  one  day  when  I  was  sick ;  and  (being)  urged  by  some  to 
bring  it  into  the  assembly,  and  especially  by  Deacon  Boutwell,  the  eldest  Deacon 
several  times ;  on  Nov.  8,  being  thanksgiving  day,  after  the  public  worship  was  over, 
I  proposed  it  to  the  church  and  congregation  to  sing  by  Rule  ;  and  by  what  I  had 
heard  not  expecting  any  opposition,  I  said  that  if  they  were  all  willing,  I  would  take 
their  silence  for  consent,  and  no  man  answered  one  word,  but  all  were  silent  and  went 
away." 

RICHARD   BROWN." 

In  December  of  same  year,  "  took  up  a  contribution  in  aid  of  Rev. 
Daniel  Putnam,  of  North  Precinct,  who  is  represented  to  be  in  great 
straits." 

Amount  collected,  .£5  and  lyj. 

1723.  —  Town  voted  "to  sell  to  John  Atwell  (of  Lynn),  Reading 
right  in  the  land  that  he  has  fenced  in  about  his  house,  twelve  acres 
at  12  pence  per  acre,  which  was  paid  down." 

Voted  also  "to  sell  to  Josiah  Rhodes  (of  Lynn)  Reading  right  in 
his  lot  in  the  600  acres  for  20  shill.  per  acre." 

Voted  "  that  the  Selectmen  petition  the  General  Court,  concerning  a 
free  course  for  the  fish  to  come  to  Reading." 

1724.  —  First  Parish  voted  "to  take  up  two  acres  of  land  distinct, 
in  the  low  ground  below  the  lower  burying  place  and  to  add  it  to  Mr. 
Brown's  Parsonage,  upon  condition,  that  after  it  is  once  fenced,  he  will 
maintain  the  fence  so  long  as  he  improves  the  above  said  two  acres  of 
land  ;  and  he  does  also  engage  that  he  will  not  desire  the  Parish  to  find 
him  any  more  hay  or  grass  as  long  as  he  is  our  minister ;  and  he  quit 
the  ministerial  meadow  to  the  use  of  the  town,  and  engaging  to  let  us 
have  a  liberty  of  passing  and  repassing  in  the  winter  season,  with  horse 
and  cart  over  the  land,  that  was  formerly  Isaac  Han's,  from  Mr.  Hoclg- 
man's  corner  and  so  out  at  Dea.  Thomas  Nichols'  house,  that  was  for- 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

merly   Landlord   Burnap ;    and  upon  condition  that  our  friends  and 

neighbors  in  the  Pond  Row  do  the  East  side  of  the  fence  upon  their 

own  cost  and  charge." 

N.  B.  —This  is  probably  the  land  lying  on  the  west  side  of  Pond  Street 
The  North  Precinct  vote  this  year  "to  apply  to  the  Governor  and 

Council  in  relation  to  Mr.  Putnam's  troubles  " ;  (his  lack  of  support,  it 

is  presumed). 

First  Parish   congregation   contributed   £g  $s.   towards   redeeming 

"  Blanchard  "  children. 

1725.  —  Town  voted  "that  the  school  money  be  divided  so  that  the 
west  end  shall  have  what  they  pay,  in  proportion  as  they  pay  to  the 
Province  tax ;  and  that  the  west  end  shall  be  divided  from  the  town  by 
the  families  that  live  nearest  to  each  school  house." 

Voted  "  that  no  geese  shall  go  on  the  Common  after  the  ist  January 
next,  but  that  swine  may." 

Town  voted  "  that  all  Oak,  Walnut,  Elm,  and  Buttonwood  trees,  that 
are  growing  on  the  perpetuated  Common,  shall  stand  and  not  be  cut 
off,  under  a  penalty  of  prosecution." 

Charlestown  End  was  this  year  incorporated  as  a  town,  by  the  name 
of  Stoneham. 

1726.  — The  town  voted  "  that,  upon  the  petition  of  our  neighbors  of 
North  End  of  Maiden,  Richard  Upham  and  William  Green  represent- 
ing them,  we  will  petition  the  General  Court  that  a  number  of  our 
neighbors  of  North  End  of  Maiden  may  be  set  to  Reading." 

Chose  a  Committee  to  prosecute  encroachments  upon  Reading's  right 
in  the  herbage  in  the  "  600  acres  "  in  Lynn. 

Voted  to  take  £8  in  money  of  Joshua  Felt,  for  Reading's  right  in 
six  acres  in  the  •'  600  acres  "  in  Lynn. 

1727.  —  "Oct.  29,"  says  the  North  Precinct  church  record,  "  there 
was  a  terrible  earthquake,  which  lasted  at  times,  3  months,  and  at  the 
end  of  the  3  months,  very  hard." 

"July  2,  Lordsday,  just  as  the  public  exercise  of  the  afternoon  was 
ended,  at  the  South  Parish  meeting-house,  there  was  terrible  thunder 
and  lightning,  which  detained  several  persons  at  the  M.  House,  and, 
while  a  surprising  clap  struck  the  house,  broke  off  the  vane  and  spindle, 
broke  the  turret  in  pieces,  shivered  off  the  clapboards  on  the  west  and 
south  sides,  from  the  top  to  the  bottom,  and  shattered  one  of  the  doors 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


143 


in  pieces  that  had  just  been  shut,  and  struck  a  young  man  near  it, 
threw  him  on  his  face  and  stunned  him,  so  that  he  bled  very  much,  but 
is  since  likely  to  do  well.  No  other  person  received  any  considerable 
hurt." 

First  Parish  voted  "  to  procure  a  new  Bell  for  the  meeting-house, 
with  the  old  Bell  so  far  as  that  will  go,  and  what  that  will  not  do,  to  be 
paid  by  way  of  a  Rate." 

Also  voted  "  to  build  a  turret  on  the  Meeting-house  for  the  Bell." 

1728.  —  Town  voted  "  that  a  Committee  be  chosen  to  look  after"  ob- 
structions to  the  coming  up  of  fish,  and  to  threaten  prosecution  to  them 
that  hinder  them." 

This  year  the  General  Court  issued  60,000  pounds  more  of  "Bills  of 
Credit,"  to  be  distributed  to  the  several  towns  in  proportion  to  their 
taxes ;  whereupon  the  town  voted  "  to  accept  their  proportion  of  the 
same,  according  to  the  late  act." 

Voted  "  to  let  the  money  at  six  per  cent,  and  that  no  man  shall  draw 
out  more  than  £20,  and  no  one  less  than  £5,  and  any  sum  between 
these  two,  and  for  the  trustees  to  take  sufficient  security  for  the  money." 

Chose  for  trustees:  Thos.  Bancroft,  Thos.  Poole,  and  Peter  Emerson. 

Thomas  Bancroft  gave  a  part  of  his  pay  as  Representative  to  the 
town. 

1729.  —  Town  voted  "  to  try  to  get  clear  of  mending  Mystic  bridge  in 
future." 

"  The  town  met  at  '  Landlord  Wesson's '  to  hear  the  Indian  deed  of 
our  township  read."  See  Appendix  A. 

First  Church,  this  year,  dismissed  to  Stoneham  (probably  to  form  the 
church  there)  Messrs.  Daniel  Gould,  Daniel  Gould,  Jr.,  Ebenezer 
Knight,  David  Gould,  Abraham  Gould,  Ebenezer  Parker,  Edward  Buck- 
nam,  Tho.  Cutler,  Joseph  Bryant,  Jona.  Griffin,  and  others  (females). 

This  year  William  Williams  and  his  son  James  were  drowned  in 
Reading  Pond,  by  the  upsetting  of  a  boat. 

The  north  part  of  Maiden,  including  ten  families,  was  annexed  to 
Reading.  This  annexation  included  the  Green,  Upham,  and  Evans 
families,  with  their  farms,  and  was  that  part  of  what  is  now  Greenwood, 
that  was  situated  southerly  of  the  old  Smith  farms. 

1730.  —  First  Parish  chose  a   committee,  consisting  of  William  Bry- 
ant, Esq.,  Capt.  Kendall  Parker,  Lieut.  Thomas  Eaton,  Ens.  Thomas 
Nichols,  and  Joseph  Eaton,  to  seat  the  meeting-house,  and  voted  "  that 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Real  estate  and  age  are  the  two  first  and  chiefest  rules  to  go  by  in  seat- 
ing the  M.  House." 

Voted  also,  forty-five  in  the  affirmative  and  fifty  in  the  negative  on 
the  question,  whether  the  Parish  would  set  off  the  northwest  part  of  the 
Parish,  Woodend,  so  called,  to  be  a  distinct  Parish  by  themselves,  ac  t 
cording  to  the  line  in  their  petition. 

Voted  also  "  to  petition  to  the  General  Court  to  restore  all  the  lands 
that  are  taken  off  of  our  township,  on  the  South  side  of  Ipswich  river, 
and  on  the  east  side  of  Andover  road,  from  Jenkins  bridge  to  Woburn 
line." 

Voted  also  "to  allow  the  Northwesterly  part  of  this  Parish,  or  Wood- 
end,  so  called,  the  sum  of  £\i  a  year  for  support  of  preaching  among 
them  in  the  winter  season  out  of  the  Parish  rate  or  treasury,  during  the 
term  of  ten  years,  provided  the  said  Woodend  do  give  the  said  Parish 
no  trouble  at  home  or  abroad,  referring  to  a  separation ;  and  also  that 
the  said  Woodend  do  hereby  oblige  themselves  to  tarry  with  us  during 
said  term  often  years." 

Then  chose  a  Committee  to  go  to  General  Court  to  defend  the 
Parish  from  any  breaking  in  from  the  North  Precinct  or  elsewhere. 

The  town  of  Wilmington,  including  a  part  of  Reading,  was  this  year 
incorporated. 

The  action  of  the  First  Parish,  last  above  mentioned,  was  probably 
occasioned  by  the  following  vote  of  the  North  Precinct,  viz. :  — 

"  To  petition  the  General  Court  for  part  of  Reading,  part  of  Lynn,  and  part  of  An- 
dover, to  be  sett  off  to  them  to  help  support  the  gospel  in  said  Precinct." 

The  Precinct  Committee  chosen  to  manage  the  affair  were  Capt. 
Jona.  Parker,  Lieut.  Ebenezer  Flint,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Burnap. 
Extract  from  the  first  church  record :  — 

"Jona.  Brown  and  his  wife,  having  been  guilty  of  fornication,  in  having  a  child  too 
soon,  they  both  owned  their  sins  to  the  church,  before  the  congregation,  gave  glory  to 
God,  begged  forgiveness  of  Him  and  the  church,  though  he  was  only  a  child  of  the 
church  by  baptism,  but  she  had  owned  the  covenant,  and  the  church  taking  satisfac- 
tion from  their  humble  confession,  restored  them  to  their  charity,  and  allowed  them 
baptism  for  their  child,  they  being  about  to  remove  to  Billerica." 

The  following  statement  exhibits  the  financial  operations  of  the  towr- 
for  the  year  1730,  and  is  inserted  for  comparison  with  those  of  late: 
times :  — 

"The  Debts  and  Credit  of  ye  Town  of  Reading  in  ye  year  1730,  Laid  before  ye 
Town  at  a  General  Town  meeting  March  I,  1731 :  — 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


145 


£  s.  d. 

To  Mr.  Isaac  Richardson  for  Schooling  this  Last  year,  36    o  o 

"  Wm.  Bryant,  Esq.,  for  Entering  2  actions  at  Court,  040 

"  Mr.  Thomas  Eaton  for  Keeping  his  Aunt  Mary  ye  last  year,  11    o  o 

"  Mr.  John  Batcheller  for  Keeping  his  cousen,  Wm.  Batcheller,  13    o  o 

"  Mr.  Ezekiel  Upton  for  waiting  6^1  ye  Court's  Com.  2  days,  o  10  o 

"  Ens.  Francis  Nurse  for  ye  like  service,  o  10  o 

"  Ens.  Geo.  Flint  for  ye  like  service,  o  10  o 

"  Daniel  Gowing  for  timber  for  a  Causeway,  North  Precinct,  I     80 

"  John  Hartshorn  for  making  and  setting  up  a  gate  in  North  Precinct,  I     o  o 

"  Daniel  Graves             "                      "                   "                    "  i    o  o 

"  Peter  Emerson  for  serving  ye  town  as  Clerk  and  Treasurer,  2  10  o 

"  Peter  Emerson  for  returning  2  precepts  and  i4  quire  paper,  090 
"  Landlord  Wesson  for  Selectmen's  expense  (where  Mrs.  Spaulding  lives),     3     68 

"  Landlord  Damon  for  Selectmen's  expense  (at  North  Precinct),  050 

"  Benj.  Brown,  Constable,  warning  3  town  meetings,  gathering  Rates,  and 

warning  2  persons  out  of  Town,  2    3  5 

"  Abated  to  Wid.  Suderick  (Southwick  ? )  her  rate  for  1729,  0114 

"  Abated  to  James  Parker  his  rate  for  1729,  090 

"  Abated  to  Stephen  Flint  his  rate  for  1729,  o  12  9 

"  John  Hartshfcrn  for  Sawing  Plank  for  Lobs  Pound  Bridge,  o  14  o 

"  Mr.  Joseph  Eaton  for  5  days,  5  shillings  a  day,  at  ye  Inferior  Court,  I     50 

77    8  2 

CONTRA— is  Credit: 

£    *.  d. 

By  ye  Town  Rate,  63     911 

"  Overplus  in  the  Province  Rate,                                                       .  4116 

"  Overplus  in  the  Country  Rate,  on     7 

"  Received  of  Constable  Ezekiel  Upton,  150 

"            "         Constable  Joseph  Upton,  5  10    8 

"            "         Constable  Ebenezer  Flint,  455 

"         Constable  John  Swain,  300 

"            "         Constable  Timothy  Wiley,  5  10    o 

Lt  Poole,  Rent  for  a  corner  of  ye  Town's  land,  )  o  ic     6 

Do.  and  Peter  Emerson  ye  last  payment,  ) 

"            "         of  ye  interest  of  ye  ^50,000  loan,  3    o  10 

"  Remaining  in  Constable  Lewes,  his  hands,  3     2     5 

"            "          Constable  Kzekiel  Upton's  hands,  01411 

"            "          Constable  Flint's  hands,  I  12  11 

"          Wiley's  hands,  268 


99  17    4 

77    8    2 


Ye  Town's  Credit, 


1731.  —  Nov.  8,  "Lt.  Thomas  Bancroft,  our  worthy  Representative, 
died  of  Nervous  Fever." 
19 


146 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


First  Parish  voted  "  to  give  the  old  '  Pulpit  Cushion  '  to  the  Woodend, 
which  they  have  asked  for  in  a  Christian  and  charitable  way  and  man- 
ner, in  their  subscriptions  to  the  new  one." 

North  Precinct  chose  a  Committee  to  provide  a  place  in  which  to 
keep  school,  and  voted  to  apply  to  General  Court  for  help. 

Committee :  Sergt.  Ebenezer  Flint,  Robert  Russell,  and  Thomas 
Hartshorn. 

1732.  —  Stephen  Raper,  eight  years  old,  was  drowned  in  Reading 
Pond. 

Rev.  Richard  Brown,  minister  of  the  First  Parish,  died  this  year  Oct. 
29,  aged  57  years,  after  a  ministry  of  twenty  years.  For  further  ac- 
count of  Mr.  Brown,  see  "  Early  Settlers." 

1733.  —  Copy  of  a  bill  of  expenses  of  the  funeral  of  Rev.   Mr. 
Brown :  — 

&*.*. 

To  Thomas  Eaton  for  provisions,  2     I  o 

"  Nathaniel  Eaton  for  fetching  up  the  wine,  0150 

"  Lt.  Nathaniel  Parker  for  5  qts.  Rhom,  080 

"  Samuel  Poole  for  digging  Mr.  Brown's  grave,  080 

"  Landlord  Wesson  for  Rhom,  o  10  6 

"  Wm.  Cowdrey  for  making  the  coffin,  0150 

"  Andrew  Tyler  of  Boston,  6  Gold  rings  for  funeral,  10  18  o 

"  Benj.  Fitch  of  Boston,  Gloves,  etc.,  17    o  o 

"  Mrs.  Martha  Brown  for  wine  furnished,  5     o  o 

"  Eben  Storer  of  Boston,  Sundries,  800 

Total,  45  15  6 

First  Parish  voted  "  to  concur  with  the  church  "  (94  in  favor,  whether 
any  were  opposed  is  not  stated),  "in  inviting  Rev.  Wm.  Hobby  to  be 
the  minister  of  said  Parish." 

Also  voted  "  to  give  Mr.  Hobby  ,£200  as  a  settlement  gift,  and  an 
annual  salary  of  ,£120,  30  cords  of  wood  brought  yearly  to  his  door, 
and  the  use  of  the  Parsonage." 

Elijah  Dodge,  Thomas  Green,  John  Townsend,  Jr.,  and  James  Parker, 
dissented  from  the  vote  allowing  £200  as  settlement,  to  which  ,£20  was 
subsequently  added. 

Chose  for  a  Committee  to  treat  with  Mr.  Hobby :  Deacons  Nichols, 
Boutwell,  Smith,  and  Goodwin  ;  Esquires  Kendall  Parker  and  Wm. 
Bryant ;  Lt.  Nathaniel  Parker,  and  Messrs.  Ebenezer  Parker,  Stephen 
Weston,  Thomas  Upham,  and  Peter  Emerson. 

Voted,  to  set  the  standard  for  the  money  of  the  salary  voted  to  the 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


147 


ministry  of  the  First  Parish  in  Reading  as  "  Eighteen  shillings  an  ounce 
in  silver  money,  which  shall  be  a  standard  as  money  rises  arid  falls." 
(Subsequently  reconsidered.) 

Chose  for  a  Committee  on  Ordination,  viz.  the  four  Deacons  afore- 
said, the  two  Esquires  aforesaid,  Lt  Thomas  Eaton,  Ebenezer  Parker, 
Raham  Bancroft,  Thomas  Nichols,  and  Nathaniel  Batchelder. 

Rev.  Mr.  Hobby  was  ordained  September,  1733. 

Order  of  Exercises  at  the  Ordination :  Prayer  (Introductory)  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Emerson  of  Maiden;  Sermon  (Text:  2d  Tim.,  ii,  21)  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Appleton,  of  Cambridge  ;  Prayer  (Ordaining)  by  Rev.  Mr.  Wellstead, 
of  Boston  ;  Charge,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Webb,  of  Boston  ;  Hand  of  Fellow- 
ship, by  Rev.  Mr.  Putnam,  of  (North)  Reading ;  Psalm  and  Benediction 
by  Ihe  ordained. 

Copy  of  a  bill  of  expenses  of  the  ordination  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hobby:  — 

£*.  d. 

Paid  Mrs.  Ann  Archer  of  Boston,  2  18  o 

"    Jonathan  Williams  of  Boston,  i  Bbl  Wine,  1380 

"    Jonathan  Call  of  Charlestons,  Bread,  2  12  o 

"    Sundry  others  persons  (36  in  number),  46    8  i 

65    6  i 

First  Parish  voted  "  to  accept  of  half  an  acre  of  the  Parsonage  land, 
to  enlarge  our  Burial  place  if  Mr.  Hobby  giveth  leave." 

1734.  —  Richard  Upham,  whom  Parson  Hobby  calls  "a  saint  in- 
deed," died  this  year  of  Stranguary. 

First  Parish  paid  Isaac  Smith  and  Ebenezer  Damon  19^.,  for  waiting 
on  Ruth  Joy  to  Newbury.  Paid  also  i8j.  for  a  "Kalash,"  and  9*. 
for  a  horse  for  the  same  purpose. 

First  Parish  also  voted  in  March  "  to  repair  the  Parsonage  house  as 
may  be  with  convenience,  and  that  the  figure  thereof  be  not  altered." 

In  September,  voted  not  to  enlarge  the  Parsonage  house. 

1735. —  First  Parish  voted,  ist,  "  not  to  build  a  new  Meeting-house ; " 
2d,  to  repair  the  old  meeting-house  thoroughly  by  shingling  the  roof  in 
the  same  form  that  it  now  is,  except  the  taking  off  the  north  dormer, 
and  clapboarding  the  same  as  far  as  needful,  and  by  plastering  the 
same  meeting-house  upon  the  beams,  which  plastering  is  the  last  thing 
to  be  done.  Then  voted  to  take  off  the  east  and  west  dormers,  and 
carry  out  the  gambrel  roof  so  far  south  as  is  convenient  Appropri- 
ated .£350  for  said  object 

Old  Mrs.  Hodgman,  wid.  of  Thomas,  died  in  her  g6th  year. 


14g  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

1736.  —  Town  voted  "that  Messrs.  Kendall  Parker,  Esq.,  Wm.  Bry- 
ant, Esq.,  Dea.  Goodwin,  Capt.  Nichols,  Lt.  Eaton,  Lt.  Flint,  and  Mr. 
Thos.  Weston,  be  a  Committee  to  view  the  circumstances  and  accommo- 
dations of  the  highways  in  the  town,  and  to  bring  in  their  thoughts  and 
propositions,  what  may  best  be  done  about  converting  the  Commons  to 
some  better  use,  than  what  it  is  at  present." 

Lt.  Lamson,  Thos.  Wesson,  Dr.  Stimpson,  Ebenezer  Merrow,  Eben- 
ezer  Felch,  John  Temple,  and  John  Burnap  dissented. 

N.  B.  —  This  vote  is  noticeable  as  being  the  commencement  of  a  course  of  action  by 
the  town,  in  reference  to  the  common  lands,  that  has  been  attended  with  important 
consequences,  which  have  been  felt,  through  successive  generations,  to  the  present 
day. 

First  Parish  furnished  for  the  Parsonage  "  A  Post  and  Well  Crotch," 
that  cost  £i  i2s.,  and  a  "little  Necessary  house,"  that  cost  £i  i$s. 

This  year  and  the  succeeding  year  the  throat  distemper  prevailed 
to  an  alarming  extent  throughout  Massachusetts  and  New  England. 
Many  in  this  town  died  of  it.  John  Swain  lost  six  children  within  two 
months,  and  his  wife  soon  after.  Ebenezer  Parker  lost  three  in  Feb- 
ruary. 1837,  and  Dea.  Brown  Emerson  lost  three  children  in  the  spring 
of  1837.  From  November  12,  1736,  to  May  23,  1737,  thirty  children 
and  two  adults  died  of  this  disease  in  the  town. 

The  General  Court  appointed  a  public  Fast  on  account  of  the  preva- 
lence and  mortality  of  the  epidemic. 

J737- — The  town  chose  Kendall  Parker,  Wm.  Bryant,  and  Samuel 
Bancroft  a  Committee  to  make  answer  to  the  presentment  of  Mystic 
bridge,  at  the  next  Inferior  Court,  and  to  search  the  records  and  try 
whether  they  can  find  a  privilege  to  that  end  of  said  bridge,  that  Med- 
ford,  Maiden,  Woburn,  and  Reading  have  maintained  for  some  time. 

Town  voted  to  leave  to  the  Selectmen  to  agree  with  Lynn  Selectmen 
and  Mr.  Griffin,  about  erecting  a  bridge  over  Saugus  River,  near  Mr. 
Griffin's  Corn  Mill,  that  is  for  Reading  to  do  one  half  of  said  bridge. 
(This  was  the  bridge,  probably,  at  the  eastern  terminus  of  what  is  now 
Salem  Street,  in  South  Parish.) 

"June  7.  — Town  voted  "to  alter  the  disposition  of  the  Common  land 
from  what  it  now  is." 

"Also,  chose  Ebenezer  Parker,  Capt.  Nichols,  Kendall  Parker,'  Esq., 
Mr.  Raham  Bancroft,  and  Ebenezer  Flint,  a  Committee  to  lay  out  all 
necessary  Ways  and  Watering  places  and  all  other  conveniences  that 
shall  be  thought  convenient,  for  alt  the  proprietors  in  the  town,  through 
the  Town  Common,  and  make  report  at  the  next  meeting." 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


149 


Capt  Joseph  Burnap,  Dea.  John  Goodwin,  Stephen  Wesson,  and 
Isaac  Burnap,  entered  their  dissent  against  the  town  making  any  dispo- 
sition of  the  common  lands  in  said  town. 

Nov.  23.  —  Committee  reported  as  follows :  — 

"  We,  the  subscribers,  being  a  Committee  chosen  by  the  town  to  take  a  view  of  the 
common  land  in  order  to  see  what  is  necessary  to  be  left  for  highways,  watering  places 
and  other  public  uses,  having  entered  upon  the  aflair,  consulted  the  same  and  Report 
as  followeth,  viz : 

"  That  all  the  Common  between  Capt.  Thomas  Nichols'  (late  Noah  Smith's)  and 
the  \Vid  Pattison's  (late  Col.  James  Hartshorn's),  and  Dea.  Fitch's  gate  (westerly  end 
of  Salem  Street),  lay  as  it  is,  excepting  the  land,  that  lays  upon  the  easterly  side  of 
the  road,  that  leads  from  the  corner  of  Capt.  Nichols'  Stonewall,  within  six  feet  of  the 
cart  path,  until  it  comes  to  a  white  oak,  standing  near  Esq.  Poole's  draw  bars,  below 
his  house,  and  so  the  line  turns  off  up  to  said  bars  ;  yet  nevertheless  a  way  is  re- 
served for  Thomas  Wesson  (now  Mrs.  Lucinda  Spaulding),  and  Dea.  Gibson  (late 
Jacob  Eaton's)  up  to  their  houses,  which  shall  be  left  upon  the  Causeway,  and  said 
way  shall  be  three  rods  wide  at  the  easterly  end  and  three  rods  and  a  half  at  the  west- 
erly end.  (Benj.  Poole,  Esq.,  lived  where  Leonard  Wiley  formerly  lived.) 

• "  Then  we  proceeded  to  the  North  end  of  the  great  Pond,  and  there  we  propose  that 
a  way  not  less  than  four  rods  wide  shall  lay  from  the  bridge  at  the  mouth  of  the  Pond, 
up  along  the  highland  between  the  road,  that  goes  round  the  hill  and  the.  path  over 
the  top  of  the  hill,  in  a  path  that  we  call  the  middle  way,  and  so  it  leads  to  the 
way  to  John  Poole's  house  (late  Caleb  Wakefield's) ;  and  from  the  westerly  side  of 
John  Poole's  homestead,  that  there  be  a  way  four  rods  wide,  through  the  common 
land,  in  the  most  convenient  place  up  to  the  Causeway  at  Jonas's  bridge ;  and  that 
there  be  a  way  three  rods  wide  over  the  Island  bridge ;  yet  still  a  bridle  way  is  re- 
served for  the  necessary  use  of  the  owners  of  Ash  Swamp,  and  other  ancient  proprie- 
tors, that  have  occasion  to  pass  over  the  common  land  to  their  woodland,  pasture  or 
meadow  ;  then  we  viewed  the  highway  by  Dea.  John  Goodwin's  (now  James  Eustis'), 
and  we  propose  that  the  way  from  said  Goodwin's  house,  up  the  hill  to  Kendall 
Parker,  Esquire's  (M.  F.  Leslie's),  and  to  Stoneham  road,  shall  lay  not  less  than  four 
rods  wide  ;  and  the  road  from  said  Goodwin's  to  Kendall  Bryant's  (who  lived  a  short 
distance  west  of  Joseph  Hartshorn's  present  residence),  and  so  along  to  Barehill 
brook,  not  less  than  four  rods  wide  ;  and  that  there  be  a  way  three  rods  wide  from 
the  bridge  at  said  brook,  up  round  the  soft  ground  over  Damon's  bridge  and  so  out  to 
Jonathan  Eaton's  (late  Jonas  Parker's) ;  and  that  there  be  a  road  of  four  rods  wide 
from  said  bridge  up  to  Parker's  Sawpit ;  also,  that  there  be  a  road  three  rods  wide 
from  Jona.  Eaton's,  so  along  by  the  Widow  Ruth  Bancroft's  up  the  hill  and  so  to 
Capt  Thos.  Eaton's  pasture  at  Benjamin  Wesson's,  that  is  three  rods  wide,  where 
there  is  breadth  of  Common  to  accommodate.  We  also  judge  it  necessary  that  there 
be  a  highway  two  rods  wide  from  the  road  that  goes  by  Benj.  Wesson's  barn,  which 
shall  lie  over  the  higher  part  of  the  hill  toward  said  Wid.  Bancroft's  (now  Sumner 
Hopkins')  until  it  drops  into  the  last  proposed  road  Also,  that  there  be  a  convenient 
road  from  the  Northeasterly  corner  of  Ensign  Wesson's  homestead,  along  by  the 
house  and  so  to  Samuel  Wesson's  and  Eben.  Felch's,  and  so  out  by  the  end  of  the 
meadow,  that  was  Capt.  Parker's  to  Charlestown  road.  From  thence  we  proceeded 
to  Tare  Breech  hill,  and  we  propose  that  the  lower  end  of  the  Common  by  Knsign 
Parker's  up  as  far  as  the  path,  that  comes  from  John  Boutwell's  stone  wall,  towards 


!^0  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Henry  Merrow's  lay  common  for  public  uses ;  and  that  there  be  a  road,  three  rods 
wide  from  Henry  Merrow's  to  the  road,  that  goes  out  to  Jona.  Parker's ;  still  reserving 
a  convenient  bridle  way  over  part  of  Tare  Breech  hill  for  Eben.  Nichols  Sen.,  and  Jere- 
miah Swain  to  come  to  their  proprieties.  Also,  we  propose  that  there  shall  be  a  two  rod 
way  left  at  the  westerly  end  of  Raham  Bancroft's  and  DanieJ  Merrow's  homestea'ds, 
through  a  piece  of  Common.  Also,  we  propose  that  a  convenient  part  of  Brown's 
Pond  upon  the  hill  side  (the  small  pond  near  John  A.  Tyler's)  be  left  for  watering; 
and  also  ten  rods  length  Barehill  brook,  above  the  bridge,  shall  lay  common ;  and  at 
the  lower  end  of  VVid.  Ruth  Bancroft's  homestead,  there  shall  be  another  convenient 
watering  place  left  common.  Also,  at  the  pond  at  Samuel  Wesson's  shall  be  left 
common.  Furthermore,  we  think  it  necessary  that  where  there  is  any  convenient 
house-lot,  field  or  pasture  land,  that  borders  upon  the  Common  land,  and  the  Town 
do  not  sell  or  dispose  of  the  Common,  so  adjoining  to  the  owner  of  such  proprieties 
then  there  shall  be  left  a  way  from  all  such  proprieties  out  to  the  highway  before  such 
common  lands  are  any  way  disposed  of  to  any  other  person." 

EBENEZER  PARKER,] 
KENDALL  PARKER,  I 
THOMAS  NICHOLS,  \  Committee. 
EBENEZER  FLINT, 
RAHAM  BANCROFT, 


>*,     f 

r. 

FT,  J 


Nov.  29.  — Town  voted  "to  accept  the  return  of  the  Committee  ap- 
pointed to  view  the  perpetual  Common,  except  such  ways  as  were  laid 
out  before,  according  to  record  ;  and  the  way  round  the  hill  by  Mr. 
Woodward's  (late  Wm.  Stimpson's)  is  to  be  the  lowest  way  on  the  west 
side."  John  Temple  dissented. 

1738.  —  First  Parish  voted  "to  enlarge  the  Parsonage  house  at  a 
convenient  time  and  place;  then  referred  the  subject!*  to  the  next 
meeting." 

I739- — Dec.  6.  —  Parish  voted  to  repair  the  Parsonage  house  as 
soon  as  may  be  convenient. 

Dec.  27.  —  Voted  to  raise  and  pay  to  Capt.  Thomas  Eaton  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  pounds,  in  the  old  tenor,  provided  he  doth  repair  and 
finish  the  Parsonage  house,  according  to  the  report  of  the  Committee, 
appointed  to  view  the  same,  and  to  raise  the  north  part  of  the  roof  even 
with  the  south  part,  and  make  a  gambrel  roof  to  the  same,  to  the  ac- 
ceptance of  the  Parish  and  Mr.  Hobby. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  referred  to  above  is  as  'followeth :  — 

"  ist  —  To  raise  up  the  back  side  equal  to  the  fore-?ide  and  to  advance  a  Beyell  or 
Gambrell  roof,  suitable  in  proportion  to  said  house  ;  to  board  the  roof  and  double 
board  the  upper  part  of  said  roof  and  shingle  said  roof  with  good  cedar  shingles,  and 
to  put  up  suitable  weather  boards ;  to  window  frame  and  casement  the  foreside,  east 
end  and  backside,  as  they  now  are  a»  to  bigness  ;  also,  new  sett  the  old  glass  —  what 
is  good  —and  to  provide  for  and  glaze  the  rest,  that  the  old  will  not  do  ;  to  clapboard 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  j  5  r 

the  foreside,  east  end  and  backside  and  to  head  the  windows  that  are  needful  and  to 
finish  the  covell,  and  make  suitable  for  the  foreside  and  backside,  and  case  them  and 
do  what  is  proper  over  the  doors,  and  case  the  windows  withinside  of  the  addition  ;  to 
finish  the  wall  and  Gable  end  with  boards  and  clapboards  and  windows  suitable  to  the 
best  part  of  the  house,  and  eve-troughs  and  trunk  for  ye  foreside  of  said  house  ;  to 
color  all  that  is  needful  to  be  colored,  with  Spanish  Brown,  and  to  the  finishing  of  the 
inside  of  ye  addition. 

To  lay  two  floors,  to  lathe  and  plaster  the  wall  of  the  three  rooms  and  to  case  two 
rooms  overhead  and  to  make  two  partitions  ;  and  to  make  suitable  stairs  and  doors 
for  the  addition,  and  to  raise  the  chimney  as  high  as  is  needful." 

"Capt.  Tho.  Eaton  took  the  job." 

This  improvement  of  the  Parsonage  house  put  the  main  house  into 
the  same  shape  in  which  we  find  it  in  later  years,  and  was  the  house  on 
Common  Street  in  Wakefield,  long  known  as  the  "Prentiss  House,"  its 
site  being  now  occupied  by  the  new  High  School  building. 

Town  chose  a  Committee  to  enforce  the  law  to  prevent  the  killing  of 
Deer,  out  of  season. 

1740.  —  Town  this  year  appropriated  ^120  for  town  expenses.     First 
Parish  built  a  Horse  Block  for  ye  Parsonage,  that  cost  one  pound. 

Dea.  Benj.  Brown's  negro  woman,  Rose,  committed  suicide  by  hang- 
ing. 

North  Precinct  this  year  voted  "  to  build  a  meeting-house,  46  feet  in 
length  and  36  feet  in  breadth,  on  the  land,  that  was  given  for  that  use 
and  finish  it  as  decently  as  a  meeting-house  ought  to  be,  for  the  public 
worship  of  God,  with  that  speed,  which  our  necessity  requireth  or  our 
ability  will  admit  of." 

1741.  —  This  year  Rev.   George  Whitefield  preached  on   Reading 
Common. 

Rev.  Mr.  Hobby  went  to  hear  him,  and  it  was  said  that  he  afterwards 
remarked  "  that  he  went  to  pick  a  hole  in  Whitefield's  coat,  but  that 
Whitefield  picked  a  hole  in  his  (Hobby's)  heart." 

Mr.  Hobby  afterwards  wrote  and  published  a  defence  of  Whitefield,  in 
a  letter  to  Rev.  Mr.  Henchman,  of  Lynn,  who  had  written  against  him. 

"  READING,  July  the  6,  1741. 

Whare  as  several  of  the  Inhabetence  of  this  town  are  of  the  mind  that  it  is  con- 
venent  to  Have  two  tavens  in  this  part  of  the  town,  and  Whare  as  som  are  faverfull  of 
the  Event  thare  of  and  as  I,  the  subscriber,  am  a  partisoner  for  the  same,  and  as  I  Re- 
gard the  pece  of  this  town,  I  promas,  that  if  the  Selectmen  se  Caus  to  aprebate  me 
this  year,  if  it  be  the  minds  of  the  chefe  of  the  Hed  men  of  this  town  that  it  is  detre- 
mental  to  the  pece  of  this  town,  I  will  Give  it  up  another  year  and  consarn  myself  no 
father  about  it ;  —  as  wetnes  my  Hand. 

THO.  BANCROFT.  WM.  BRYANT  JUN. 

EBEN.  NICHOLS, 


152 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


This  year  the  town  passed  the  following  vote  in  reference  to  the 
common  lands,  which  has  become  a  very  important  one,  having  been 
adjudged  by  decisions  of  the  Supreme  Court  as  fixing,  defining,  and 
consecrating  the  common  lands.  It  was  reported  by  a  Committee, 
consisting  of  Ebenezer  Parker,  Kendall  Parker,  Esq.,  Capt.  Bancroft, 
Wm.  Bryant,  Esq.,  Thomas  Weston,  Peter  Emerson,  and  Ebenezer 
Nichols :  — 

Voted  "that  all  the  Common  lands  from  Capt  Thomas  Nichols'  (late  Noah 
Smith's)  to  the  Great  Pond  (now  Quannapowitt  Pond),  and  so  up  the  side  of  the  Pond 
as  far  as  Timothy  Nichols'  little  orchard  (where  J.  G.  Aborn's  shoe  factory  now 
stands),  by  the  Pond,  and  that  are  now  unfenced  ;  also  all  the  land  on  the  west  side 
of  the  Meeting-house  that  is  between  that  and  Hodgman's  brook  (the  brook  near 
Church  Street  R  R.  crossing),  and  so  from  said  brook  up  the  great  hill  as  far  as  the 
Southwest  corner  of  Dea.  Goodwin's  land  (Dea.  Goodwin  owned  where  James  Eustis 
now  owns),  by  the  road ;  also  by  the  foot  of  the  hill  by  Dea.  Goodwin's,  running 
round  the  hill  as  far  as  Kendall  Bryant's  barn  (Kendall  Bryant  lived  a  short  distance 
west  of  Joseph  Hartshorn's)  shall  continue  to  lie  unfenced  as  they  are,  excepting  a 
few  poles  against  Dr.  Hay's  land  (late  Geo.  W.  Hartshorn's)  not  exceeding  twenty, 
for  the  use  of  the  Old  Parish,  for  highways,  a  Training  field,  and  Burying  place,  and 
the  more  convenient  coming  at  the  pond  with  flax  and  creatures,  and  also  to  accom- 
modate the  neighbors  that  live  bordering  on  said  land  for  their  more  convenient 
coming  to  and  improving  their  own  land  and  buildings,  all  the  aforesaid  lands  to 
remain  unfenced  as  they  now  are,  and  to  the  use  of  the  Old  Parish  and  neighborhood 
above  said  forever,  never  to  be  disposed  of  for  any  other  use  whatsoever,  without  the 
consent  of  every  freeholder  in  the  Parish." 

Voted  also  "  that  the  Common  land  in  the  Woodend,  from  the  north  side  of  the 
Burying  place,  from  the  road  running  East  to  John  Boutwell's  land  (now  Dana  Par- 
ker's) and  so  running  South  to  the  corner  where  two  roads  meet,  shall  lie  forever  for 
the  use  of  that  part  of  the  Town  for  a  Burying  place  and  other  public  uses  as  they 
shall  have  occasion." 

1742.  — Joseph  Underwood  acknowledged  to  the  church  that  he  had 
stolen  corn  from  Noah  Eaton. 

1743.  —  Daniel  Emerson,  son  of  Peter  Emerson,  of  this  town,  was 
ordained  this  year  at  Hollis,  N.  H.     He  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in 
X739-     (See  Early  Settlers.)     He  died  in  1801,  in  the  fifty-seventh  year 
of  his  ministry  and  the  eighty-fifth  year  of  his  age.     Rev.  Mr.  Hobby, 
of  Reading,  preached  his  ordination  sermon. 

I745-. — This  year  an  expedition  was  sent  to  Nova  Scotia,  and  war 
with  the  French  and  Indians  was  renewed.  Massachusetts  furnished 
most  of  the  troops  for  the  expedition,  which  was  quite  successful,  and 
captured  the  city  of  Louisburg  and  the  island  of  Cape  Breton.  Read- 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  153 

ing  furnished  its  quota  for  this  expedition,  as  well  as  for  the  war  that 
followed  and  that  continued  for  ten  or  twelve  years.  Several  French 
captives  from  Cape  Breton,  who  were  residing  in  Reading,  died  this 
year.  Also,  John  Batt,  aged  thirty-two,  and  John  Jeffrey,  aged  nineteen, 
both  died,  having  just  returned  from  the  taking  of  Louisburg. 

For  list  of  soldiers  in  the  French  and  Indian  wars  of  1745  to  1757, 
see  Appendix  G. 

North  Precinct  voted  to  build  a  school-house. 

1746.  — Joseph  Swain,  son  of  Capt.  John,  born  1723,  graduated  at 
Har.  Coll.  1744,  was  schoolmaster  this  year. 

1748.  —  Mr.  Hobby's  salary  was  raised  to  .£300. 

1749.  —  This  year  the  throat  distemper  again  prevailed,  and  many 
died  ;  among  them  Timothy  Wiley,  Jr.,  of  whom  Parson  Hobby  said  : 
"He  died  in  ye  vigor  and  strength  of  life,  in  full  career  after  the  O." 
Age  24. 

1750. —  Rev.  Joseph  Swain,  the  schoolmaster  aforesaid,  was  this 
year  ordained  at  Wenham.  Delegates  to  the  ordination ,  Capt.  John 
Swain  (his  father),  Dea.  Brown  Emerson,  John  Walton,  and  Samuel 
Poole. 

Nathaniel  Eaton  committed  suicide  by  hanging. 

A  child  of  Wid.  Bancroft,  aged  five  years,  who  having  eaten  exces- 
sively of  trash  in  a  hot  day,  returned  home,  and  finding  some  rum, 
drank  about  a  gill,  went  into  convulsions  and  in  a  few  days  died. 

First  Parish  paid  Mr.  Hobby  for  his  negro's  sweeping  the  meeting- 
house and  ringing  the  bell  one  year  (1749),  ^"3  IQS. 

1751.  —  Josiah  Temple,  while  in  a  fit,  fell   into   a  well   and  was 
drowned. 

Another  of  the  French  captives  died. 

This  year  the  North  Precinct  voted  to  build  a  new  meeting-house 
on  the  land  given  for  that  purpose,  48  feet  in  length,  36  feet  wide,  and 
22  feet  stud,  within  one  year  so  far  as  to  plank  and  shingle  it  A 
committee  was  chosen  to  build  it. 

Said  Precinct  also  voted  to  build  a  pound  with  stone. 

1752.  — The  North  Precinct  Meeting-house  was  raised  July  23,  1752, 
Old  Style. 

20 


154 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


This  year  New  Style  was  introduced  into  this  country  Previous  to 
this  year  two  methods  of  reckoning  time  had  been  used.  According 
to  one  of  these  methods  the  year  began  on  the  25th  of  March,  February 
being  the  rath  month  ;  according  to  the  other  method,  the  year  began 
on  the  ist  January,  December  being  the  i2th  month. 

Ebenezer  Nichols,  son  of  Capt.  Ebenezer,  who  had  just  removed  to 
Souhegan  (Amherst,  N.  H.),  was  drowned  in  passing  the  river. 

1753. — This  year  Thomas  Nichols,  of  Reading,  sold  to  Phineas 
Sprague,  of  Maiden,  a  negro  woman,  Peggy,  and  a  negro  boy,  for  the 
sum  of  ,£33  6s.  8</.,  lawful  money  of  New  England. 

The  only  child  of  William  Gould,  aged  three  years,  was  drowned  in 
a  pit  of  water  that  with  too  much  negligence  had  been  left  uncovered. 

1754. — John  Kimball  was  convicted  of  stealing  the  velvet  and 
leather  of  the  pulpit  cushion,  and  fined  by  the  Court.' 

Died  this  year,  Capt.  Joseph  Fitch,  aged  sixty,  "  an  honor  to  ye  hu- 
mane nature  and  to  the  Christian  name,  fully  satisfied  with  ye  present 
and  ye  hope  of  ye  future  life."  (Hobby.) 

1756.  —  Died  this  year  William  Hobby,  Jr.,  "  in  his  last  year  in  Col- 
lege, and  but  a  few  months  before  he  was  to  have  taken  his  degree, 
—  a  son  of  great  hopes,  aged  18."  (Hobby.) 

I757-  —  North  Precinct  voted  to  procure  a  "  Law-book." 

1758.  —  Rev.  Mr.  Hobby  writes,  "  My  dear  friend  and  our  excellent 
neighbor,  Edward  Merrow,  died  of  small-pox ;  and  that  good  man  and 
my  good  friend,  Dea.  Raham  Bancroft,  died  of  fever,  aged  72  (or  4), 
and  his  wife  the  same  month." 

1759.  —  Nathan  Eaton,  from  Pepperell,  was  warned  out  of  town. 
Rev.  Daniel  Putnam,  pastor  of  the  second  church  (N'orth  Precinct), 

died,  having  served  in  the  ministry  thirty-nine  years  (less  nine  days), 
and  in  the  sixty-third  year  of  his  age.  During  his  ministry  194  persons 
were  added  to  his  church;  he  baptized  491  persons,  and  married  in 
couples. 

August  gth  was  observed  by  the  North  Precinct  as  a  day  of  Fasting 
and  Prayer  in  order  for  another  pastor. 

Elias  Smith  was  ordained  at  Middleton' this  year.  He  was  son  of 
Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  (Burnap)  Smith,  of  Reading;  born  1731; 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


155 


graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1753;  m.  Catharine ,  and  had  chil. 

Catharine,  b.  1760,  and  m.  1791,  Jos.  Peabody  ;  Rebecca,  b.  1762,  and 
d.  1790;  Elias,  b.  1765;  Elizabeth,  b.  1767,  and  became  the  second 
wife  of  Joseph  Peabody  aforesaid  ;  Sarah,  b.  1769,  and  d.  1775;  Jo" 
seph  Bla.ichard,  b.  1771  ;  Hannah,  b.  1773,  and  d.  1775  ;  Fanny,  b. 
and  d.  1775  ;  Benjamin,  b.  1777. 

Joseph  Peabody,  above  named,  was  a  native  of  Middleton,  removed 
to  Salem,  became  a  successful  and  wealthy  merchant,  and  was  father, 
by  his  second  wife  Elizabeth,  of  Messrs.  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  and 
Francis  Peabody,  Esq.,  of  Salem. 

Rev.  Mr.  Smith  continued  to  be  the  minister  at  Middleton  until  his 
death,  which  took  place  Oct.  17,  1791.  The  historian  of  Middleton 
(David  Stiles,  Esq.)  says  of  him,  that  "he  was  qualified  to  fill  almost 
any  station  in  life,  and  was  a  faithful  and  successful  minister.  Soon 
after  his  settlement  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  trustees  of  Phillips  Acad- 
emy, and  so  remained  until  his  death.  He  was  once  strongly  solicited 
to  settle  in  Marblehead,  with  the  promise  of  a  much  larger  salary  than 
he  was  receiving  in  Middleton.  His  reply  was  "  that  he  would  not 
leave  Middleton  for  all  Marblehead." 

1760.  —  Seven  "French  Neutrals"  were  quartered  upon  the  town  of 
Reading  this  year  by  order  of  the  Courts  Committee. 

First  Parish  voted  to  build  a  "  Pound  "  with  wood. 

North  Precinct  this  year  invited  Rev.  Eliab  Stone  to  be  their  pastor ; 
to  give  him  ;£i6o  as  a  settlement,  and  ,£73  6s.  %d.  for  his  annual 
support. 

Mr.  Stone  accepted  the  invitation. 

1761".  —  First  Parish  voted  to  build  a  Pound  with  stone,  and  appro- 
priated ;£io  13^.  4</.  for  that  purpose. 

N.  B.  —  This  pound  was  located  on  Main  Street,  about  where  Eben- 
ezer  Wiley's  brick  house  now  stands. 

Rev.  Eliab  Stone  was  ordained  May  2Oth  as  pastor  of  the  second 
church.  Delegates  from  the  first  church  to  the  ordination  were  Dea- 
cons Benj.  Brown  and  Brown  Emerson,  Col.  Nichols,  Capt.  Gardner, 
and  Jona.  Eaton. 

This  year  the  town  was  relieved  from  further  tax  for  support  of  Mystic 
Bridge,  by  payment  of  a  sum  of  money  agreed  upon,  as  appears  by  the 
following  instrument :  — 

Know  all  Men  by  these  presents,  that  we,  Samuel  Brooks,  Esq  ,  Stephen  Hall, 
Esq.,  Zechariah  Poole,  Simon  Tufts,  Seth  Blodgett  and  Benj.  Parker,  Jr.,  Gentlemen, 


156  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

all  of  Medford,  in  the  County  of  Middlesex  and  Province  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  in 
New  England,  a  Committee  chosen  by  the  town  of  Medford  to  agree  with  Woburn, 
Reading  and  Maiden,  concerning  the  building,  repairing  and  supporting  of  "Med- 
ford Great  Bridge,"  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  fourteen  pounds,  lawful 
money,  the  receipt  whereof  we  do  hereby  acknowledge,  and  therefore  hereby  have, 
and  by  these  presents  forever  do  acquit  and  discharge  Ebenezer  Nichols,  Esq.,  John 
Temple  and  Samuel  Bancroft,  Gentlemen,  in  behalf  of  the  town  of  Reading,  in  the 
County  of  Middlesex,  aforesaid,  they  being  chosen  a  Committee  to  agree  with  the 
town  of  Medford  as  aforesaid,  and  do  therefore  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum 
aforesaid,  acquit  and  discharge  the  said  town  of  Reading  forever  from  all  charges  thac 
ever  have  or  ever  shall  arise  on  account  of  building  and  maintaining  the  said  town  of 
Reading's  part  of  "  Medford  Great  Biidge"  ;  and  in  our  said  capacity  do  take  upon 
the  town  of  Medford  the  care  of  supporting  and  building  the  aforesaid  Reading's  part 
of  said  bridge. 

In  witness  whereof,  the  Committee  for  Medford  aforesaid  have  hereunto  set  our 
hands  and  seals  the  twenty-first  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1761,  and  in  the  first  year  of  the 
Reign  of  His  Majesty  King  George  the  Third. 

STEPHEN   HALL. 

Witness:  Z.   POOLE. 

ROGER  BILLINGS.  SIMON  TUFTS. 

AARON  HALL.  SETH   BLODGETT. 

BENJ.    PARKER. 

Acknowledged  before  Wm.  Reed,  Just,  of  the  Peace. 

N.  B.  —  At  this  date,  the  travel  from  Reading,  Woburn,  and  Maiden 
passed  over  this  bridge  to  Boston.  Z.  Poole  aforesaid  was  of  Reading 
descent. 

1764.  —  Rev.  Mr.  Hobby,  of  the  first  church,  having  been  long  feeble, 
seldom  able  to  preach,  and  altogether  insufficient,  on  account  of  disease, 
to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  pastoral  office,  a  large  committee  was 
chosen  by  the  First  Parish  to  treat  with  him  in  relation  to  his  discharge 
from  the  office  of  pastor,  and  receiving  an  annuity  during  life.  • 

First  Parish  voted  that  the  contribution-box  should  be  held  every 
Sabbath. 

1765. — This  year  Rev.  Mr.  Hobby,  pastor  of  the  first  church,  died} 
June  i8th,  aged  58  years,  after  a  ministry  of  thirty-two  years. 

Rev.  Mr.  Hobby  was  the  son  of  John  and  Ann,  of  Boston,  born  Aug. 
17,  1707,  and  grandson  of  William  Hobby,  a  merchant  of  Boston,  by 
wife  Ann.  Rev.  William  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1725,  and  settled 
as  the  sixth  pastor  of  the  First  Parish  in  1733.  His  wife  was  Lucy. 

Tradition  says  of  him  that  he  was  a  man  of  extensive  learning  and 
much  piety ;  that  he  was  an  able  writer  and  an  imposing  public 
speaker.  It  is  also  said  of  him  that  he  had  a  high  opinion  of  the  dig- 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


157 


nity  belonging  to  the  ministerial  office ;  that  in  his  manners  he  was 
somewhat  pompous,  wore  a  big  wig,  large  knee-buckles,  and  other 
showy  sacerdotal  vestments,  especially  on  the  Sabbath,  when  he  entered 
the  temple  of  the  Lord,  and  ascerided  to  the  pulpit  with  dignity  and 
majesty.  A  doggerel  verse  made  by  one  of  his  parishioners,  contain, 
ing,  perhaps,  more  truth  than  poetry,  has  come  down  to  us,  giving  the 
vulgar  sentiment  in  relation  to  several  cotemporary  divines  of  that  day  : 

"  Good  Mr.  Emerson  (of  Maiden), 
Proud  Mr.  Hobby  (of  Reading), 
Silly  old  Games  (of  Stoneham), 
And  Coxcomb  Roby  "  (of  Saugus)." 

First  Parish  raised  £26  13^.  \d.  to  defray  the  expenses  of  Mr. 
Hobby's  funeral,  —  one  half  to  be  paid  to  Mrs.  Lucy  Hobby  for  mourn- 
ing, etc. 

Mr.  Hobby  had  several  children,  some  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and 
one  while  in  College,  as  has  been  already  mentioned.  Two  others, 
Lucy  and  William,  were  unmarried,  lived  to  be  aged,  were  poor,  and 
returned  to  South  Reading,  and  were  assisted  by  the  town. 

The  passage  of  the  Stamp  Act  by  the  British  Parliament  appears 
to  have  sent  a  thrill  of  indignation  throughout  the  country.  At  a 
town-meeting,  held  at  Reading  October  2  zd,  voted  to  give  the  follow- 
ing instructions  to  the  Representative  of  Reading :  — 

"  To  Ebenezer  Nichols,  who  represents  the  town  of  Reading  at  the  General  As- 
sembly :  We,  the  freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Reading,  in  town  meet- 
ing assembled,  professing  the  greatest  loyalty  to  our  Gracious  Sovereign,  and  our 
sincere  regard  and  reverence  for  the  British  Parliament,  as  the  most  respectable  body 
of  men  upon  earth,  yet  at  the  same  time  are  not  insensible  of  the  great  distress  which  a 
late  exertion  of  their  power,  in  the  Stamp  Act,  must  necessarily  expose  us  to,  we 
think  it  proper  with  regard  thereto,  to  give  you,  Sir,  the  following  instructions,  viz  :  — 

"  That  you  cheerfully  join  in  every  proper  measure  that  may  have  a  tendency  to  a 
Repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act,  which  imposeth  such  a  grievous  burden  upon  the  American 
Provinces  and  Colonies,  and  that  you  endeavor,  by  all  possible  means,  consistent  with 
our  allegiance  to  the  King,  and  relation  to  Great  Britain,  to  oppose  the  execution  of 
it,  until  the  remonstrances,  petitions  and  cries  of  these  distressed  Colonies  shall  reach 
the  ears  of  our  Sovereign.  And,  Sir,  we  cannot  think  it  advisable  to  agree  to  any 
step  for  the  protection  of  stamped  papers  or  stamp  offices  ;  we  have  already  good  and 
wholesome  laws  for  the  preservation  of  peace  and  good  order  among  his  Majesty's 
subjects,  and  are  not  apprehensive  of  any  further  tumults  and  disorder,  to  which  we 
have  a  steady  aversion. 

"  Moreover,  we  must  enjoin  it  upon  you,  that  you  use  the  strictest  care  to  prevent  all 
unconstitutional  Drafts  upon  the  Public  Treasury,  at  this  time  of  uncommon  difficulty 
and  distress ;  but  in  all  actings  to  maintain  our  Rights  as  free-born  Englishmen," 

Joseph  Frye  was  authorized  by  the  North  Precinct  to  survey  and 


I58 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


make  a  plan  of  said  Precinct.     Such  a  plan  was  made,  but  we  have  not 
been  able  to  find  it. 

Mr.  Frye  died  in  1766,  soon  after  completing  the  survey  and  plan 
aforesaid.  He  was  a  native  of  Andover ;  bought  the  farm  formerly 
owned  by  Aaron  Upton.  He  was  a  large  man,  weighing  365  pounds. 
His  wife  was  killed  by  lightning,  and  he  then  married  wid.  Mary  Fos- 
ter. He  was  seventy-seven  years  old  at  his  death. 

jy66.  —  This  year  the  First  Parish  concurred  with  the  church  in  in- 
viting Rev.  John  Lathrop  to  settle  with  them.  Jeremiah  Swain  and 
thirty-nine  others  (chiefly  residents  of  Woodend)  entered  their  written 
dissent.  He  came  not 

Jeremiah  Swain  and  others,  of  Woodend,  this  year  petitioned  the 
First  Parish  to  be  set  off  as  a  distinct  parish.  The  petition  was  re- 
jected. 

Said  parish  voted  "  that  the  new  meeting-house,  when  built,  shall  be 
located  8  or  10  pole  something  easterly  and  southerly  from  where  the 
M.  house  now  stands." 

To  meet  and  allay  the  growing  uneasiness  of  the  northwest  part  of 
the  First  Parish,  it  was  voted  this  year,  "  that  all  those  persons  that 
live  more  than  four  miles  from  Reading  First  Parish  meeting-house, 
shall  have  liberty  to  draw  so  much  money  out  of  said  parish  treasury  as 
one  half  of  their  minister's  yearly-rate  shall  amount  to,  yearly  and  every 
year,  for  ten  years  next  ensuing,  provided  they  live  that  distance  from 
said  meeting-house  that  term,  in  said  parish." 

Voted,  also,  "  that  all  those  persons  that  live  between  3 \  and  4  miles 
from  the  meeting-house  in  Reading  First  Parish,  shall  have  liberty  to 
draw  so  much  money,  yearly  and  every  year,  for  the  space  or  term  of 
ten  years  next  ensuing,  as  one  quarter  of  their  minister's  yearly  rate  will 
amount  to,  provided  they  forbear  petitioning  for  a  parish  during  said 
term,  and  live  3^  miles  from  said  Meeting-house,  and  live  in  said  parish 
during  said  term." 

Voted,  also,  "  that  all  those  persons  in  the  First  Parish,  in  Reading, 
that  live  more  than  four  miles  from  Reading  First  Parish  Meeting-house, 
and  do  not  accept  of  drawing  so  much  money  out  of  the  parish  treasury 
as  one  half  of  their  minister's  yearly  rate  amounts  to,  shall  have  liberty 
to  go  off,  they  and  their  estates,  to  Reading  North  Parish  or  to  Wil- 
mington, which  they  shall  choose,  if  they  desire  it." 

1767.  —  About  this  time  a  "Young  Men's  Christian  Association" 
was  formed,  probably  the  first  in  the  town.  As  such  societies  are  pop- 


OF    THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


159 


ular  at  the  present  time,  perhaps  it  would  be  interesting  to  see  the  con. 
stitution  of  one  formed  a  century  ago  :  — 

"  We,  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  being  as  we  hope  in  some  measure 
sensible  of  the  many  obligations  we  are  under  unto  God,  and  of  the  great  care  and 
concern  we  owe  our  own  souls  and  the  souls  of  each  other,  would  therefore  enter  into 
those  measures,  whereby  we  may  promote  the  honor  of  God  and  our  own  mutual  edi- 
fication, and  since  in  the  duties  of  prayer,  reading  the  Word  of  God,  meditation  and 
holy  conversation,  we  are  most  likely  to  promote  the  glory  of  God,  our  own  spiritual 
knowledge,  faith  and  comfort,  and  put  ourselves  in  the  way  of  the  divine  blessing,  we 
would  set  apart  some  time  for  the  regular  discharge  of  these  duties,  hoping  in  that 
gracious  promise  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, '  where  two  or  three  are  met  together  in 
his  name,  he  will  be  with  them  and  bless  them  ' ;  and  now  giving  ourselves  unto  God 
in  an  everlasting  covenant  in  dependance  on  the  influences  of  his  holy  Spirit,  without 
which  we  can  do  nothing  worthy  of  divine  acceptance,  we  do,  with  all  holy  fear,  re- 
solve on  the  following  things :  In  the  first  place  we  will  meet  together  once  a  week 
on  Sabbath  evening  in  some  convenient  place,  where  we  will  spend  an  hour  and  a 
half  or  two  hours  in  the  following  duties,  in  a  regular  manner  :  — 

"  isL  We  will  begin  with  prayer,  in  which  we  will  take  our  turns  in  order  from 
time  to  time. 

"2d.     We  will  sing  a  psalm  or  hymn  or  some  part  of  one. 

"3d.     We  will  read  a  sermon  or  some  other  discourse  of  divine  things. 

"4th.  We  will  then  one  another  of  us  take  our  turns  in  prayer,  and  then  speedily 
conclude  with  singing. 

"  5th.  Having  discharged  our  duties,  we  will  all  of  us  return  to  our  several  places 
of  abode,  endeavoring  that  the  good  that  we  may  have  obtained  be  in  no  danger  of 
being  lost  by  vain  company  or  bad  discourse. 

"  6th.  If  any  one  of  the  Society  at  any  time  be  absent,  he  shall,  at  the  next  time  of 
his  appearance,  if  desired,  offer  the  reasons  of  his  absence,  and  if  his  reasons  shall  ap- 
pear too  weak  to  justify  his  absenting  himself,  we  will  with  a  spirit  of  meekness  rebuke 
him,  and  admonish  him  of  his  duty. 

"  yth.  If  any  one,  at  any  time,  shall  refuse  to  meet  with  us  any  more,  without  suffi- 
cient or  justifiable  reasons  therefor,  we  will  endeavor  to  convince  him  of  his  fault, 
admonish  him  of  his  danger,  and  entreat  his  return. 

"  8th.  If  any  one  be  overtaken  with  any  scandalous  fault,  we  will  deal  with  him  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  us  appears  most  likely  to  reclaim  him.  If  he  shall  hereupon 
manifest  his  repentance,  we  will  forgive  him.  If  he  refuse  to  hear  and  repent,  we  will 
blot  out  his  name  and  banish  him  from  the  Society. 

"  9th.  We  resolve  to  look  out  for  sober-minded  persons  and  invite  them  to  our 
Society. 

"  loth.  Any  person  admitted  to  our  Society  shall  be  admitted  by  the  consent  of  the 
whole  or  major  part  of  it,  and  any  one  desiring  a  dismission  with  proper  reasons,  shall 
withdraw  with  the  same  consent 

"nth.  Considering  how  apt  we  are  to  forget  this  obligation,  we  resolve  to  read 
over  this  covenant  with  God  and  one  another  once  a  month. 

"This  is  the  covenant,  which  in  the  name  and  fear  of  God,  we  would  make  with 
God  and  one  another,  humbly  entreating  for  the  blood  of  our  great  High  Priest,  even 
Jesus,  who  has  shed  his  blood  for  the  remission  of  sins,  to  wash  away  all  our  pollu- 
tions and  defilements,  and  the  aids  and  assistances  of  the  spirit  of  truth  to  guide  us 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

into  all  necessary  and  saving  truths,  and  the  grace  of  Christ  to  assist  us  in  and  per- 
fect all  our  duties.  Now  unto  him,  who  is  able  to  build  us  up  in  holiness  and  com- 
fort, and  to  do  for  us  far  above  what  we  can  ask  or  think,  be  glory  forever,  Amen. 

Daniel  Emerson.  Thomas  Damon. 

Joseph  Parker.  Ebenezer  Stimpson. 

John  Joy.  Joseph  Emerson. 

Chester  Joy.-  Robert  Williams. 

Bacchus.  Samuel  Sweetser. 

John  Walton,  3d.  Ebenezer  Nichols.* 

Timo.  Emerson.  David  Smith. 

Jotham  Walton  Thomas  Parker. 

Samuel  Goodwin.  Ezra  Mudge. 

William  Nichols.  John  Swain. 

James  Bryant  Thomas  Brown. 

Amos  Walton.  Brown  Emerson. 

Josiah  Bryant  Nathaniel  Pratt 

Benjamin  Williams.  Cornelius  Sweetser. 

James  Hartshorn.  Abijah  Smith. 

Samuel  Felch.  John  Burnam. 

James  Bennett.  Aaron  Emerson. 

Isaac  Smith.  Benjamin  Walton. 

Daniel  Smith.  Benjamin  Brown. 

Jona.  Gardner. 

1767.  —  In  March  of  this  year  the  First  Parish  voted  "to  make  a 
thorough  repair  of  the  old  Meeting-house,  as  soon  as  may  be,  and  to 
make  pews  and,sell  them,  and  raise  ^"200  (by  tax)  to  pay  the  balance." 

In  June,  reconsidered  the  above  vote  about  repairing  the  old  meeting- 
house, and  voted  "  to  build  a  new  Meeting-house  in  the  First  Parish, 
about  8  or  10  poles  southeasterly  from  the  place  where  the  old  Meeting- 
house now  stands ;  the  new  house  to  be  70  feet  long  and  50  feet  wide 
and  26  feet  posts  (afterward  changed  to  28  feet  posts),  with  a  Steeple 
and  Porch,  and  chose  Ebenezer  Nichols,  Esq.,  Capt.  John  Goodwin, 
Samuel  Bancroft,  Esq.,  Jona.  Eaton,  John  Batchelder,  Timothy  Pratt, 
and  Nathaniel  Wiley  a  Building  Committee." 

An  effort  was  made  by  Dea.  Jonathan  Temple,  Dea.  Samuel  Ban- 
croft, Mr.  John  Temple,  Nathan  Parker,  and  other  Woodend  people  to 
change  the  location  of  the  new  meeting-house  to  a  site  about  half  a  mile 
to  the  westward,  which  effort  was  unsuccessful. 

In  October,  the  Woodend  people  renewed  their  efforts  for  a  separa- 
tion, not  wishing  to  be  taxed  for  the  new  meeting-house  ;  and  Jeremiah 
Swain, Joseph  Damon,  and  others  petitioned  the  First  Parish:  ist,  to 

*NOTE.  —  In  1770  Ebenezer  Nichols,  a  member  as  aforesaid,  was  banished  from 
the  society  for  breaking  the  seventh  commandment 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  !6l 

set  off  all  the  second  Constables'  District ;  or,  2d,  to  set  off  all  such 
district  as  should  in  writing  consent  thereto. 

This  petition  was  not  granted  ;  but  the  parish  thereupon  voted  "  to 
give  to  those  persons  that  live  in  '  Baremeadow  Row,'  so  called,  that 
live  more  than  3  miles  from  the  Meeting-house,  including,  with  them, 
Jonathan  and  John  Nichols',  James  Eaton's,  and  Thomas  Eaton's 
houses,  five  pounds  a  year  and  yearly,  for  the  space  of  ten  years  next 
to  come,  and  the  money  to  be  laid  out  in  schooling  as  they  shall  agree, 
upon  condition  they  will  cheerfully  go  on  to  build  the  Meeting-house 
and  settle  a  gospel  minister  among  us." 

Voted,  also,  "  to  give  to  the  westerly  and  northwesterly  part  of  the 
parish  (that  is  to  say),  those  persons  there,  that  live  more  than  3  miles 
from  the  Meeting-house,  and  the  money  to  be  laid  in  preaching  or 
schooling,  as  they  shall  agree,  so  much  money  per  year,  yearly  and 
every  year,  for  the  space  often  years  next  to  come,  as  is  the  same  pro- 
portion, according  to  the  number  of  houses,  as  we  gave  'Bare-meadow 
Row,'  upon  condition  they  will  cheerfully  go  on  to  build  the  Meeting- 
house and  settle  a  gospel  minister  among  us." 

1768.  —  The  First  Parish  meeting-house,  as  voted  for  in  1767,  was 
this  year  erected.  It  was  the  third  place  of  worship  erected  by  said 
parish. 

The  parish  voted  to  raise  £600  to  defray  the  expense  of  the  new 
church,  and  that  the  timber  therefor  may  be  cut  from  the  parish  min- 
isterial lot. 

Messrs.  John  Walton,  Jr.,  and  Andrew  Beard,  carpenters,  were  added 
to  the  building  committee  already  chosen. 

The  contractors  were  Messrs.  David  Nelson  and  Asa  Tocld. 

The  frame  was  of  oak,  massive  and  heavy;  at  one  end  was  a  tower 
with  a  handsome  steeple  or  spire,  shooting  high  up  into  the  blue  ether, 
and  at  the  other  end  a  two-storied  porch.  Upon  the  apex  of  the  spire 
was  a  gilded  weather-cock.  At  the  time  the  house  was  built  it  was 
voted  "  not  to  paint  the  clapboards,  or  do  the  roof  with  rosin,  tar,  and 
sand,"  consequently  the  outside  remained  unpainted  for  many  years. 

The  foundation  of  the  building  was  a  wall  about  three  feet  high,  com- 
posed of  rough  and  mostly  unhammered  granite  blocks,  selected  at 
great  pains  from  the  surrounding  forests,  and  was  a  curiosity  on  account 
of  its  rare  beauty  and  regularity,  considering  that  its  component  stones 
were  mostly  in  their  natural  state.  A  tradition  connected  with  this 
foundation  is  thus  related  :  — 


1 62 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


"  One  of  the  largest  of  these  granite  blocks,  weighing  several  hundred  pounds,  was 
lifted  to  its  bed  on  the  wall  by  old  '  Doss,'  a  negro  of  Sampsonian  strength,  was  then 
or  had  been  a  slave,  was  afterwards  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  used  to  live  in  a 
hut  near  Bare  Hill  brook.  Old  '  Doss  '  performed  this  exploit  by  '  main  strength, 
unaided,  and  without  lever  or  bar ' ;  and  so  notable  was  this  feat  considered  at  the 
time,  that  the  letter  '  D,'  the  initial  of  the  hero's  name,  was  chiselled  upon  the  face 
of  the  stone  by  the  artisans,  to  commemorate  the  achievement.  Afterwards,  some 
person,  either  from  envy  of  the  hero's  glory,  or,  more  probably,  from  prejudice  against 
his  color,  hammered  out  and  thus  erased  the  honorable  letter ;  thus  showing  how 
vain  and  transitory  are  all  earthly  marks  of  distinction,  even  when  engraved  in 
granite." 

The  pews  were  originally  disposed  of  in  the  following  manner:  — 

After  selecting  one  for  the  minister,  to  be  numbered  one,  then  the 
highest  tax-payer  had  the  first  choice ;  the  second  highest  the  second 
choice,  and  so  on. 

The  pews  were  numbered  in  the  order  of  choice,  no  matter  in  what 
part  of  the  house  they  might  be  situated.  « 

The  first  pew  was  sold  for  one  hundred  pounds,  old  tenor ;  and  then 
dropped  twenty  shillings,  old  tenor,  on  every  pew  through  the  whole. 

One  hundred  pounds,  old  tenor,  was  £13  6s.  &/.  New  England  cur- 
rency ;  and  twenty  shillings,  old  tenor,  was  2S.  8d.  New  England 
currency. 

Dea.  Brown  Emerson,  Capt.  David  Green,  Capt.  John  Goodwin,  and 
Benjamin  Brown,  Esq.,  were  a  Committee  to  make  the  sale. 

As  the  numbers  of  these  pews  show  the  relative  standing,  as  to  prop- 
erty, of  these  old  fathers,  it  may  be  gratifying  to  the  curious  to  see 
some  of  them  :  — 


No.  i.  Minister  Pew. 

"  2.  David  Green. 

"  3.  Thomas  Eaton. 

"  4.  John  Smith. 

"  5.  John  Goodwin. 

"  6.  Ebenezer  Nichols. 

"  7.  Ens.  John  Batchelder. 

'  8.  Benjamin  Smith. 

"  9.  Mrs.  Eliza'h  Lambert. 

"  10.  Ebenezer  Wiley. 

"  ii.  Brown  Emerson. 

"  12.  John  Pratt. 

"  13.  Nathaniel  Wiley. 

"  14.  Isaac  Smith,  Jr. 

"  15.  William  Green. 

"  16.  Jona.  Eaton. 

"  17.  Joshua  Eaton. 


No.  18.  John  Batchelder. 

"  19.  Michael  Sweetser. 

"  20.  Jonathan  Evans. 

"  21.  John  Walton  and  Oliver  Swain. 

"  22.  Nathaniel  Brown. 

"  23.  Thomas  Green. 

"  24.  James  Emerson. 

"  25.  Abraham  Gould.  . 

"  26.  Thomas  Eaton. 

"  27.  Jonathan  Brown. 

"  28.  John  Nichols. 

"  29.  Tho.  Damon  and  Jona.  Hartshorn. 

"  30.  John  Walton. 

"  31.  Susan  Weston  and  Anna  Emerson. 

"  32.  Jeremiah  Brown. 

•'  33.  Tho.  Emerson. 

"  34.  Samuel  Poole. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  163 

No.  35.  Tho.  Hay.  No.  44.  Benjamin  Brown. 


36.  Nath'l  and  Jona.  Cowdrey. 

37.  Noah  and  Lilley  Eaton. 
38  and  39,  Jacob  Upham. 

40.  Joseph  Gould. 

41.  James  Smith. 

42.  Daniel  Bryant. 

43.  Joseph  Bryant 


45.  Joseph  Emerson. 

46.  Joseph  Brown. 

47.  Benjamin  Hartshorn. 

48.  John  Vinton. 

49.  Tho.  Parker. 

50.  Daniel ,  etc.  etc. 


In  May,  the  inhabitants  of  the  northwesterly  part  of  the  First  Par- 
ish, not  satisfied  with  the  offers  of  the  parish,  Joseph  Damon,  Jeremiah 
Swain,  and  others  of  that  said  part  of  the  parish,  this  year  petitioned 
the  General  Court  to  interfere  and  set  them  off  as  a  distinct  parish. 

Whereupon  the  First  Parish  chose  Ebenezer  Nichols,  Esq.,  Dea. 
Brown  Emerson,  Capt.  John  Goodwin,  Phineas  Parker,  Jona.  Eaton, 
John  Walton,  and  Andrew  Beard  a  committee  to  oppose  said  petition. 

A  Legislative  Committee,  having  heard  the  parties,  advised  the  First 
Parish  to  agree  to  a  line  of  division  on  the  southerly  side  of  Woodend. 
In  reference  to  which  advice,  the  parish  voted  "  that  to  divide  the  par- 
ish would  be  ruinous  to  the  whole,  and  that,  therefore,  they  cannot 
agree  to  any  line  of  division  :  49  in  favor  of  agreeing  to  68  against. 

At  the  same  time,  on  a  proposition  to  remove  the  location  of  the  new 
meeting-house  about  half  a  mile  to  the  westward,  voted  in  the  negative. 

In  June,  the  First  Parish  voted  "  to  give  to  the  inhabitants  of  Wood- 
end,  so  called,  twenty-two  and  a  half  pounds  yearly  and  every  year,  for 
ten  years  next  to  come,  the  money  to  be  laid  out  in  preaching  or 
schooling,  as  they  shall  agree,  provided  said  inhabitants  do  not  proceed 
any  farther  for  a  separate  parish,  and  relinquish  what  has  already  been 
voted  them ;  or,  if  they  do  not  accept  this,  then  those  inhabitants  of 
Woodend,  so  called,  that  live  more  than  3^  miles  from  the  meeting- 
house, shall  have  liberty  to  go  to  the  North  Parish,  or  Wilmington,  as 
they  shall  choose." 

1769.  —  February,  the  Woodend  people  still  persisting  in  their  efforts 
for  a  division  of  the  First  Parish,  said  parish  again  voted  against  a 
division. 

Also  voted  in  favor  of  setting  off  a  part  of  the  parish  to  North  Pre- 
cinct, so  as  to  make  two  parishes  in  the  town  of  equal  territory,  if  the 
North  Precinct  consent. 

Chose  Ebenezer  Nichols,  Esq.,  Dea.  Brown  Emerson,  Capt.  John 
Goodwin,  Lt.  Jona.  Eaton,  and  Benj.  Brown,  a  committee  to  oppose 
the  setting  off  of  Woodend. 


164  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

The  General  Court,  however,  notwithstanding  all  opposition,  judged 
it  best  that  the  First  Parish  should  be  divided,  and  accordingly  ordered 
that  substantially  the  same  territory  (except  certain  Eaton  farms)  that 
now  constitutes  the  town  of  Reading,  be  incorporated  as  a  distinct 
parish,  called  the  Third  or  West  Parish. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Third  Parish  aforesaid  was  held  on  August 
9,  1769,  by  warrant  from  the  Worshipful  Josiah  Johnson,  Esq.,  of  Wo- 
burn,  one  of  his  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace,  who  was  present  at 
the  meeting. 

Mr.  John  Temple  was  chosen  Moderator. 

Chose  parish  officers  as  follows :  For  Clerk,  Samuel  Bancroft,  Esq.  ; 
for  Treasurer,  Mr.  John  Temple ;  for  Assessors,  Mr.  John  Temple, 
Dea.  Samuel  Bancroft,  and  Capt.  Nathan  Parker. 

The  Moderator  took  the  money  oath. 

A  committee  was  chosen  and  money  raised,  or  ordered  to  be  raised, 
to  provide  materials  and  workmen  to  complete  the  newly  erected  meet- 
ing-house ;  by  which  it  appears  that  their  first  meeting-house  was  in 
process  of  building.  It  was  located  a  short  distance  southerly  of 
where  the  Old  South  Meeting-house  now  stands,  and  is  the  same  build- 
ing now  occupied  by  the  Centre  schools,  and  which  contains  Union 
Hall. 

The  following  is  the  Act  of  Incorporation  of  the  Third  Parish  :  — 

"  July  14,  1769.  —  General  Court  ordered  that  the  South  Precinct  in  Reading  be 
and  hereby  is  divided  into  two  precincts  in  the  following  manner,  that  is  to  say  :  Be- 
ginning at  Stoneham  line,  at  a  heap  of  stones  at  the  South  East  corner  of  Jona.  Wes- 
ton's  homestead ;  from  thence  to  a  white  oak  tree,  at  the  Southerly  corner  of  Isaac 
Burnap's  and  Jabez  Damon's  pasture,  called  Bare-hill  pasture  (recently  called  '  Fair- 
mount  ') ;  from  thence  Easterly  as  the  fence  now  stands,  on  the  Southerly  side  of  said 
pasture,  till  it  comes  to  the  road  near  the  Stone  Bridge  at  Bare-hill  Brook,  so  called ; 
rom  thence  Northwardly  on  the  road  till  it  comes  to  the  North  Eastwardly  end  of 
the  Causeway  at  the  '  Three  Bridges,'  so  called  ;  from  thence  to  the  South  Westerly 
corner  of  Lieut.  Jona.  Poole's  farm ;  from  thence  on  the  fence,  on  the  Southerly 
side  of  said  Poole's  land,  till  it  comes  to  the  road  leading  from  said  Poole's  to 
the  M.  house ;  from  thence  North  Easterly  till  it  comes  to  Lynn  line ;  excepting 
Thomas  Eaton,  Thomas  Eaton,  3d,  Joshua  Eaton,  Jonathan  Eaton  and  Edmund 
Eaton,  with  their  lands,  they  are  now  respectively  iri  possession  of,  and  their  other 
estates,  who,  although  included  in  said  bounds,  shall  remain  in  the  South  Precinct,  to 
all  intents  and  purposes  whatsoever,  as  fully  as  if  they  and  their  lands  aforesaid  lay 
South  of  said  line. 

"And  whereas  the  said  Precinct  (South)  have  obtained  a  vote  to  build  a  Meeting- 
house, and  have  made  two  taxes,  the  one  for  raising  four  hundred  pounds,  lawful  money, 
and  the  other  for  two  hundred  pounds  -of  like  money,  which  assessments  have  been 
committed  and  are  now  in  the  hands  of  the  Constables  to  collect ;  but  the  first  tax  for 
,£400  only  has  been  paid,  and  that  but  in  part.  It  is  therefore  further  ordered  that 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


I65 


the  north  part  of  said  precinct  shall  be  and  hereby  is  exempted  from  paying  any  other 
tax  towards  the  Meeting-house  in  the  South  Precinct,  save  the  first  ^400.  It  is  fur- 
ther ordered  that  the  cost  arising  by  the  Committee's  going  last  year  to  view  the 
South  Precinct,  amounting  to  £<)  js.,  be  paid  by  the  whole  Parish." 

By  the  said  act  of  incorporation  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Third 
Parish  were  relieved  from  a  part  of  the  assessments  that  had  been  laid 
upon  them  by  the  First  Parish  towards  the  new  meeting-house  of  the 
First  Parish,  but  there  remained  a  claim  upon  the  First  Parish  for  what 
the  Third  Parish  had  already  paid  towards  said  new  meeting-house. 
This  claim  was  the  occasion  of  some  canvassing  and  controversy  be- 
tween the  parishes  for  several  years,  but  was  finally  settled  amicably. 
(See  under  1773.) 

This  year  Rev.  Caleb  Prentiss,  from  Cambridge,  a  graduate  of  Har. 
Coll.  in  1765,  was  settled  as  pastor  of  the  First  Parish,  with  ^"200  set- 
tlement, ;£8o  salary,  and  twenty  cords  of  wood  yearly,  brought  to  his 
door,  together  with  the  use  of  the  parsonage. 

Mr.  Prentiss  was  ordained  October  25,  1769. 

Services  at  the  ordination  :  First  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Morrill,  of  Wil- 
mington ;  Sermon  (text  i  Thess.  ii,  8)  by  Rev.  Mr.  Adams,  of  Roxbury  ; 
Charge,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Appleton,  of  Cambridge ;  Fellowship,  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Storer,  of  Watertown;  Prayer,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Roby,  of  Lynn;  Psalm 
and  blessing,  by  candidate. 

List  of  inhabitants  of  the  First  Parish,  at  or  near  the  time  of  its  di- 
vision and  the  incorporation  of  the  Third  Parish ;  said  parish  then 
included  what  is  now  Wakefield  and  Reading  ;  with  a  notice  of  all  th.2 
houses  then  standing,  with  the  distance  of  each  house  from  the  First 
Parish  meeting-house,  that  stood  near  the. site  of  the  present  Congrega- 
tional meeting-house  in  Wakefield. 

These  details  regarding  the  locations  of  the  inhabitants  and  their 
dwellings  are  gathered  from  an  old  map  of  said  First  Parish,  drawn  by 
Col.  Nichols  about  the  year  1765,  and  from  a  table  of  relative  distances 
of  the  houses  from  the  meeting-house,  found  among  the  papers  of  Dea. 
Temple,  prepared,  probably,  to  show  the  necessity  of  a  new  parish, 
which  was  incorporated  in  1769  :  — 

M.  Qrs.  Rods. 

Rev.  Mr.  Hobby,  was  the  Prentiss  house,  32 

Samuel  Poole,  old  tavern,  now  removed,  o      o      49 

Samuel  Nichols,   )  C  o      o      75 

T  >  on  the  place  of  the  late  Dea.  Aaron  Bryant, 

James  Barrett,       J  C  o      o      75 

Col.  Ebenezer  Nichols,  old  Rayner  House,  now  removed,  o      i      02 

John  Vinton,  late  Samuel  Wiley  place,  and  Dr.  Richardson's,  o      I       14 

Capt.  Cornelius  Wotton,  site  of  Quannapowitt  House,  o      I      32 


1 66  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

M.  Qrs.  Rods. 

John  Nichols,  late  Noah  Smith  house,  o  i  32 

Samuel  Felch,  where  Adam  Hawkes  now  is,  o  2  30 

Michael  Sweetser,  where  Asa  N.  Sweetser  now  is,  o  2  56 

Benjamin  Smith,  late  Dr.  Hart's  old  house,  now  removed,  o  3  06 

Isaac  Smith,  where  Dr.  Hart  resided,  now  removed,  o  3  14 

Jonathan  Evans,  near  R.  R.  bridge,  in  Greenwood,  now  removed,  i  i  05 

Daniel  Gould,  where  E.  Pitman  now  is,  !  i  -j2 

Richard  Upham,  where  P.  H.  Sweetser  resided,  I  3  50 

William  Green,  where  Charles  \V.  Green  now  is,  2  o  04 

William  Green,  Jr.,  now  owned  by  Wid.  Waitt,  2  o  32 

Thomas  Green,  now  owned  by  C.  W.  Green,  2  o  69 

Capt.  David  Green  (old  house),  late  Nathan  Green  place,  2  2  02 

"          "  "      house  formerly  Judge  Nash's,  2  2  40 

Lt.  John  Walton,  late  Benjamin  Walton  place,  i  2  63 

James  Smith,  late  Ezekiel  Oliver  place,  I  3  03 

Ensign  John  Smith,  Almshouse  place,  I  2  62 

Amos  Boardman,  late  Lowell  Emerson's,  i  3  22 

Jonathan  Poole,  Jr.,  where  Leonard  Wiley  resided,  o  i  75 

Capt.  Samuel  Bancroft,  Wakefield's  Rattan  Factory,  o  2  52 

Thomas  Wiley,  late  David  Wiley  place,  I  2  35 

Nathaniel  Wiley,  late  Eli  Wiley  place,  I  2  75 

"  "      old  house,  near  above,  now  removed,  i  3  33 

Ephraim  Weston,  where  Mrs.  Dr.  Spaulding  now  is,  o  o  58 

Noah  and  Lilley  Eaton,  late  Dea  Jacob  Eaton's,  o  o  72 

William  Gould,  late  John  Gould's,  now  removed,  o  o  52 
Dr.  William  Stimpson,  where  the  late  Lilley  Eaton  lived  (father  of  Hon. 

Lilley),  .  o  o  46 

Thomas  Burnap,  where  William  Brown  now  is,  o  3  22 

Thomas  Emerson,  the  Dr.  Cushman  place,  o  3  68 

Joseph  Underwood,  where  Rev.  Mr.  Clayes   now  is,  I  o  oo 

Dr.  Oliver  Swain,  now  David  Batchelder's  old  house,  I  o  41 

Thomas  Parker,  late  owned  by  Suel  Winn,  Jr.,  i  I  03 

Nathaniel  Swain,  near  where  East  school-house  is,  I  2  39 

John  Swain,  Jr.,  near  where  Abraham  Gould  now  is,  i  2  72 

Capt.  John  Swain,  near  late  Issachar  Stowell's  old  house,  I  3  16 

Jeremiah  Brown,  where  E.  A.  Upton  now  is,  1361 

Nathaniel  Brown,  lately  owned  by  Rev.  Horace  Eaton,  2  o  36 

Josiah  Walton,  now  the  Austin  place,  2  o  71 

Jotham  Walton,  where  Oliver  Walton  now  is,  2  I  17 

Jonathan  Brown,  now  Daniel  P.  Emerson's,  2  I  43 

Jonathan  Cowdrey,  now  Mrs.  Col.  J.  Hartshorn's,  o  o  76 

James  Emerson,  now  Mrs.  James  Emerson,  o  i  45 

Ebenezer  Gould,  late  Charles  Gould  place,  o  2  43 

Capt.  John  Goodwin,  now  James  Eustis,  o  i  60 

Thomas  Hay,  now  the  heirs  of  late  Benjamin  Emerson,  o  i  60 

Dr.  William  Hay,  o  2  38 

Thomas  Damon,  now  Mrs.  Varnum  Holt,  o  2  52 

Benjamin  Hartshorn,  now  Joseph  Hartshorn,  o  2  56 


OF  7 HE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


167 


M.  Qrs.  Rods. 

Ebenezer  Damon,  now  Mrs.  Lydia  \Vinn,  o  2  63 

WicL  Lambert,  late  Dea.  David  Smith  place,  o  3  01 

Jeremiah  r  yant,  )   these  houses  stood  a  short  distance  westerly  of  o  3  06 

James  Bryant,       )               Joseph  Hartshorn's,  now  gone,  o  3  48 

Nathaniel  Cowdrey,  late  Aaron  Cowdrey  place,  o  3  09 

CapL  John  Goodwin  (upper  place),  since  Matt  F.  Leslie,  I  o  26 

Joseph  Gould,  where  E.  E.  Emerson  is,  house  removed,  o  o  76 

Joseph  Emerson,  where  Thomas  Emerson  lived,  o  i  15 

Nutting  or  Bacheller  house,  heirs  of  late  John  White,  Jr.,  o  I  47 

Munroe,  formerly  Nichols,  now  Mrs.  F.  B.  Eaton,  o  I  71 

John  Batcheller,  Cordis  House,  now  removed,  o  2  52 

Capt.  Benjamin  Brown,  now  Lucius  Beebe,  o  3  03 

Joseph  Brown,  house  near  the  above,  now  removed,  .               o  3  17 

John  Pratt,  the  late  John  White,  Sen.,  place,  now  removed,  °  3  49 

Dea.  Brown  Emerson,  now  Dr.  F.  P.  Hurd,  i  o  05 

James  Woodward,  the  late  Stimpson  place,  i  i  01 

William  Eaton,  where  Rev.  Mr.  Barry  is,  I  o  64 

Ensign  Hopkinson,  where  E.  Sumner  Hopkins  is,  I  I  16 

1770.  —  Town  voted  to  build  a  powder-house  of  hard  brick  and  lime, 
eight  feet  square. 

It  was  located  on  the  high  ground,  near  and  northerly  of  the  present 
residence  of  the  late  Capt.  George  Batchelder.  A  committee  recom- 
mended a  wooden  one,  on  account  of  the  dampness  of  the  brick  house. 

The  Third  Parish  meeting-house  was  this  year  completed.  Said 
parish  voted  "  to  petition  the  General  Court  for  the  money  to  be  paid 
back  to  us,  which  we  have  paid  towards  the  M.  house  in  the  First 
Parish." 

Voted,  also,  to  purchase,  for  a  parsonage,  the  dwelling-house,  barn, 
and  out-houses  of  Mr.  Phineas  Parker,  and  twenty-five  and  one  half 
acres  of  land  adjoining,  for  the  sum  of  ^£210. 

This  is  the  same  house  and  land  since  owned  by  Rev.  Peter  San- 
born,  and  long  known  as  the  Sanborn  Place. 

Voted,  also,  "to  invite  Rev.  Thomas  Haven,  a  graduate  of  Har. 
Coll.  in  1765,  to  become  the  minister  of  said  parish,  with  an  en- 
couragement or  settlement  of  ;£i6o,  and  an  annual  salary  of  ^73 
6s.  &/." 

Mr.  Haven's  answer  to  the  invitation  was  as  follows  :  — 

"  To  the  inhabitants  of  the  Third  Parish  in  Reading  :  — 

"  My  Christian  Brethren  and  Friends, 

"  As  you  have  seen  fit  to  give  me  an  invitation  to  settle  with  you  in  the  work  of  the 
Gospel  ministry,  I  would  thankfully  acknowledge  the  honor  done  me  hereby,  not  only  by 
you,  but  also  by  the  great  head  of  the  church ;  as  this  is  a  matter  of  the  greatest 


Irjg  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

importance  in  respect  of  the  greatness  and  difficulty  of  the  work,  I  hope  I  have 
viewed  it  in  this  light,  and  considered  thereof,  as  one  in  some  measure  sensible  of  the 
weight  of  the  charge  ;  and  asked  counsel  of  those  whom  I  thought  able  and  willing  to 
give  that,  which  was  good,  and  who,  I  trust,  had  the  cause  of  Religion  and  the  interest 
of  the  churches  near  their  hearts  ;  and  I  hope  I  have  not  been  unmindful  of  seeking 
direction  from  the  Father  of  lights,  from  him  who  giveth  wisdom  to  them  who  ask  ; 
encouraged  by  the  unanimity,  with  which  you  gave  the  call,  and  the  peaceable  temper 
with  which  you  have  conducted  this  affair,  and  which  I  trust  is  still  with  you ;  hoping 
for  the  blessing  of  God  and  the  presence  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  now  signify  to 
you  my  acceptance;  reserving  to  myself  the  liberty  of  being  absent  from  you  one  or 
two  Sabbaths  in  a  year  to  visit  my  distant  friends  as  occasion  may  require.  I  am  sen- 
sible of  my  unworthiness  and  inability  for  the  honorable,  the  great  and  arduous  work, 
which  I  am  about  to  engage  in  ;  and  I  ask  your  prayers  to  God  for  me,  that  I  may  be 
directed,  and  obtain  grace  to  be  faithful  ;  and  I  persuade  myself  that  you  will  endeavor 
to  render  the  burthen  as  light  as  may  be,  as  well  as  be  ready  to  provide  "for  my  sup- 
port and  comfort.  That  your  church  may  be  built  up  in  faith  and  holiness,  and  have 
daily  additions  made  unto  it  of  such  as  shall  be  saved,  and  always  be  found  walking 
in  the  order  of  the  gospel ;  that  you  as  a  people  may  bepros  pered,  and  that  God 
would  rain  down  righteousness  upon  you,  that  you  may  be  preserved  in  peace  and 
quietness,  and  that  we  all,  in  matters  before  us,  may  be  directed  from  Heaven,  is  the 
desire  and  prayer  of  your  Christian  brother  and  friend, 

THOMAS   HAVEN." 

Mr.  Haven  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Elias  Haven,  the  minister  of  Frank- 
lin, and  a  descendant  of  Richard  Haven,  who  settled  in  Lynn  in  1645. 
His  mother  was  Mary  (Messenger).  He  was  born  about  1743.  He 
married  Anna  Bigelow,  of  Weston,  a  sister  of  the  late  Abraham  Bige- 
lovv,  Esq.,  of  Cambridge. 

This  year  the  First  Parish  sold  to  the  Rev.  Caleb  Prentiss,  for  ^333 
6s.  8^/.,  the  parsonage  land  and  buildings  ;  said  land  consisting  of  three 
pieces,  viz.  That  which  the  parsonage-house  stood  on,  that  behind 
the  meeting-house,  and  that  near  Dr.  Wm.  Stimpson's. 

NOTE.  —  Dr.  Stimpson  then  lived  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Salem  Streets,  where 
the  Eaton  mansion  now  is. 

1771.  — The  Third  Parish  voted  to  accept  their  land  apportioned  to 
them  by  the  town  as  their  share  of  the  ministerial  lands. 

Voted,  also,  "  to  sell  the  '  Housen  and  land,'  bought  of  Mr.  Phineas 
Parker  for  a  parsonage,  to  Rev.  Thomas  Haven  for  ^"201  12  shil." 

The  following  is  a  List  of  Voters  in  Reading  for  1771  :  — 

FIRST   PARISH. 

Capt.  Samuel  Bancroft  Mr.  Ebenezer  Hopkinson. 

Benjamin  Brown.  Benjamin  Hartshorn. 

Joseph  Brown.  Jonathan  Hartshorn. 

James  Bennet  Dr.  William  Hay. 


OP   THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


169 


James  Barret. 
Nathaniel  Brown. 
John  Brown. 
Jonathan  Brown. 
Jeremiah  Brown. 
John  Batchelder. 
John  Batchelder,  Jr. 
Amos  Boardman. 
Jonathan  Cowdrey. 
Nathaniel  Cowdrey. 
James  Cutler. 
Ebenezer  Damon. 
Ebenezer  Damon,  Jr. 
Thomas  Damon. 
Brown  Emerson. 
Peter  Emerson. 
James  Emerson. 
Joseph  Emerson. 
Thomas  Emerson. 
Capt.  Thos.  Eaton. 
Lt.  Jona.  Eaton. 
Edmund  Eaton. 
Thomas  Eaton,  3d. 
Joshua  Eaton. 
Noah  Eaton. 
Lilley  Eaton. 
Jonathan  Evans. 
Samuel  Goodwin. 
Capt.  John  Goodwin. 
Mr.  William  Green. 
William  Green,  Jr. 
Capt.  David  Green. 
Thomas  Green. 
William  Gould. 
Joseph  Gould. 
Daniel  Gould. 


Thomas  Hay. 

Timothy  Lewis. 

David  Mansfield. 

Ebenezer  Nichols,  Esq. 

John  Nichols. 

Thomas  Parker. 

Samuel  Poole. 

Jona.  Poole,  Jr. 

John  Pratt. 

Capt.  John  Swain. 

Dr.  Oliver  Swain. 

Dr.  William  Stimpson. 

Michael  Sweetser. 

Paul  Sweetser. 

Mr.  Isaac  Smith. 

Isaac  Smith,  Jr. 

Isaac  Smith,  3d. 

Benjamin  Smith. 

Ebenezer  Smith. 

John  Smith. 

James  Smith. 

James  Smith,  Jr. 

Jacob  Upham. 

John  Vinton. 

Thomas  Wiley. 

Ebenezer  Wiley. 

Nathaniel  Wiley. 

James  Woodward. 

Capt  Wootton. 

Lt  John  Walton. 

Josiah  Walton. 

Jotham  Walton. 

John  Green. 

John  Nichols,  4th. 

Benjamin  Hartshorn,  Jr. 

Michael  Sweetser,  (Jr.  ?).  —  80. 


SECOND    PARISH. 


Joseph  Burnap. 
Joseph  Burnap,  Jr. 
John  Burnap. 
Jona.  Batcheller. 
Steven  Buxton. 
Lt.  David  Damon. 
Samuel  Damon. 
Ebenezer  Damon. 
Ezra  Damon. 
John  Dix. 

Samuel  Evans. 
22 


Archelaus  Mclntire. 
Joseph  Phelps. 
David  Parker. 
James  Flint 
John  Mclntire. 
Ephraim  Pratt 
Dea.  Daniel  Putnam. 
Timothy  Russell. 
William  Sawyer. 
William  Sawyer,  Jr. 
Nathaniel  Sawyer. 


170 


GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 


Thomas  Eaton. 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Flint. 
Capt.  Thomas  Flint. 
Nathan  Flint. 
John  Flint 
Lt.  Ben.  Flint. 
George  Flint. 
Lt.  Eleazer  Flint 
Jonathan  Flint 
William  Flint. 
Ebenezer  Flint,  Jr. 
James  Foster. 
Daniel  Graves. 
Capt.  Ed.  Hurcom. 
Thomas  Hart. 
Josiah  Hayward. 
Robert  Hayward. 
Samuel  Herrick. 
Joseph  Holt. 
Joseph  Holt,  Jr. 
Joseph  Lewes. 
David  Mclntire. 


THIRD  PARISH. 


Dea.  Samuel  Bancroft 
James  Bancroft. 
Joseph  Bancroft 
John  Boutwell. 
John  Boutwell,  Jr. 
James  Boutwell. 
Isaac  Burnap. 
Nathaniel  Batcheller. 
David  Batcheller. 
Andrew  Beard. 
Mr.  Joseph  Damon. 
Jabez  Damon. 
Samuel  Damon. 
Timothy  Hartshorn. 
Ebenezer  Emerson. 
Ebenezer  Emerson,  Jr. 
John  Emerson. 
Samuel  Emerson. 
John  Hartshorn. 
Lt.  Benjamin  Foster. 
Abraham  Foster. 
Mr.  Jona.  Foster.        * 
John  Farmer. 
John  Goodwin. 
John  Goodwin,  Jr. 


Jacob  Sawyer. 
Abraham  Sheldon. 
Nathaniel  Sheldon. 
Samuel  Sheldon. 
Thomas  Taylor. 
Samuel  Taylor. 
Capt.  Hezekiah  Upton. 
Olympius  Upton. 
Ebenezer  Upton. 
Dea.  Amos  Upton. 
Amos  Upton,  Jr. 
William  Upton,  Jr. 
Jabez  Upton. 
Francis  Upton. 
Amos  Upton,  3d. 
Benjamin  Upton. 
Nathaniel  Upton. 
Isaac  Upton. 
Joseph  Upton. 
Jacob  Upton. 
William  Whltteridge. 
Nathaniel  Phelps.  —  66. 


Timothy  Pratt,  Jr. 
Samuel  Pratt 
Daniel  Pratt 
Isaac  Pratt. 
Lt.  Jona.  Poole. 
Mr.  John  Parker. 
Jonathan  Parker. 
Capt.  Nathan  Parker. 
Nathan  Parker,  Jr. 
Caleb  Parker. 
Daniel  Parker. 
Joseph  Parker. 
Jona.  Parker,  (Jr.  ?). 
Benjamin  Parker. 
William  Parker. 
Asa  Parker. 
Ephraim  Parker. 
Amos  Person. 
Edward  Richardson. 
Mr.  Jeremiah  Swain. 
Thomas  Symonds. 
Thomas  Symonds,  Jr. 
Dea.  Jona.  Temple. 
Lt.  John  Temple. 
John  Temple,  Jr. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  171 

Mr.  Jona.  Nichols.  William  Temple. 

John  Nichols.  Jacob  Townsend. 

John  Nichols,  Jr.  Isaac  Weston. 

Richard  Nichols,  •                                    Abijah  Weston. 

Richard  Nichols,  Jr.  John  Weston,  Jr. 

Benjamin  Nichols.  Jona.  Weston.  —  63. 
Timothy  Pratt 

This  year  the  selectmen  received  a  letter  from  Dr.  Jabez  Brown, 
then  a  young  man,  who  had  just  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine 
in  Wilmington,  of  which  the  following  is  a  verbatim  et  literatim 
copy :  — 

"Wilmington,  Augusthe  3ist,  1771. 

"  Gentlemen  Selectmen  of  Readin, 

"  Worthy  Sirs,  I  would  adress  myself  with  all  meekness  and  loliness  to  your 
Honours,  Earnestly  beging  that  you  woulu  grant  me  some  favor  for  what  I  have 
Dun  for  Daniel  Rolf  in  the  time  of  his  Distres  and  Long  Confinement  Sirs,  I  Did 
not  aply  myself  to  you  or  any  other  gentlemen,  in  the  first  place  to  know  whether  I 
should  Git  my  pay  or  not ;  and  I  should  think  it  absurd  to  Let  any  one  Lay  in  Distres 
til  I  am  beter  satisfyed  about  the  Reward ;  I  have  been  kept  from  such  a  practis, 
and  pray  that  I  Ever  may.  Sirs,  I  commit  myself  intirely  to  your  Generosity  to  Do 
by  me  as  you  pleas ;  and  it  seemeth  hard  that  I  must  Do  so  much  for  the  poor  of  other 
towns,  when  we  have  so  many  to  Do  for  in  our  one  ;  besids  my  one  family. 

"  I  should  think  it  eaezer  for  three  parishes  to  pay  the  sum,  than  for  one  person  to 
Loos  it,  who  is  but  a  yong  beginer  —  the  accompt  for  visets  and  medicine  usd  is  £2 

2J.  &/. 

"the  visits  are  12  (in)  no.  5  mile  each,  gentlemen,  pies  to  think  of  me ;  for  this  I 
worked  hard  for,  both  Day  and  night,  with  the  best  of  medicin,  for  such  his  case  calld 
for,  and  I  was  oblige  to  pay  cash  out  of  my  pocket  for  the  sdme  ;  and  I  troust  your 
Honours  will  Grant  me  some  favor ;  if  Not,  should  which  (wish  ?)  myself  abler  to  bear 
t,  and  a  Heart  to  Loos  twice  so  much  for  the  Good  of  the  poor,  az  knowing  it  to  be 
my  Duty  to  be  kind  to  the  poor. 

"  Your  Humble  Servant, 

"JABEZ  BROWN." 

This  year,  and  again  in  1786,  the  North  Parish  authorized  a  com- 
mittee to  procure  live  alewives  at  a  proper  time,  and  put  them  into 
Martin's  Pond. 

Noah  Eaton  and  nine  others  were  chosen  Quiristers,  by  First 
Parish,  or  persons  to  tune  the  psalm,  and  to  sit,  part  of  them  in  the 
Elders'  seat,  so  called,  and  part  of  them  in  the  short  seats  in  the  men's 
side  gallery.  The  Third  Parish  sued-Lt.  Jona.  Eaton  for  trespass,  in 
cutting  wood  on  ministerial  lands  for  First  Parish.  First  Parish  chose 
a  committee  to  defend  him. 


172  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

1772.  —  Rev.  Jacob  Burnap,  son  of  Isaac  Burnap,  of  Reading,  a  grad- 
uate of  Har.  Coll.  in  1770,  was  this  year  ordained  at  Merrimac,  N.  H. 
He  received  the  degree  of  D.  D.  in  1814,  and  died  in  1821.  Rev.  Mr. 
Haven,  of  Reading,  preached  his  ordination  sermon. 

This  year  Jabez  Carter  and  Lydia  his  wife,  with  their  children,  Ben- 
jamin, Enoch,  Lydia,  Mary  (who  afterwards  married  Jeremiah  Bryant), 
Martha,  Amos,  and  Kezia,  were  warned  out  of  town  to  Woburn. 

*773' —  The  trouble  that  had  existed  between  the  First  and  Third 
Parishes  in  regard  to  certain  claims  made  by  the  Third  Parish,  on  ac- 
count of  their  having  paid  assessments  towards  the  new  meeting-house 
in  the  First  Parish,  was  this  year  finally  settled  to  the  satisfaction  of 
all  parties,  as  is  shown  by  the  following  "  Report "  :  — 

"  We,  the  subscribers,  being  chosen  Committees  by  the  First  Parish  in  Reading 
and  the  West  Parish  in  Reading,  to  confer  upon  and  endeavor  to  settle  all  matters  of 
dispute  between  said  Parishes,  and  lay  the  same  before  said  Parishes  for  their  accept- 
ance, have  attended  said  service,  and  all  of  us  being  desirous  that  peace,  love  and 
harmony  may  subsist  and  long  continue  between  said  Parishes,  as  knowing  that  where 
there  is  contention,  there  is  confusion  and  every  evil  work,  have  agreed  upon  the  fol- 
lowing Report  to  be  made  by  each  Committee  unto  each  of  said  Parishes  :  that  the 
First  Parish  in  said  Reading  shall  renounce  and  relinquish  all  right  or  claim  to  all 
those  lands  the  Town  voted  to  the  West  or  Third  Parish  in  said  Reading  March  4, 
1771,  to  be  enjoyed  by  said  Parish,  in  quiet,  agreeably  to  the  Town  record. 

"Also  agreed  that  the  one  half  of  the  Burying  Cloth,  and  the  one  half  of  the  money 
it  hath  been  let  for,  with  the  interest,  shall  belong  to  the  Third  Parish ; 

"  Also  agreed  that  the  cause  now  depending  in  the  Superior  Court  between  said 
Parishes  or  between  said  West  Parish  and  Mr.  Jonathan  Eaton,  shall  cease  and  be 
no  further  prosecuted  ;  each  party  to  pay  their  own  costs,  according  to  the  rules  of 
law,  and  put  an  end  to  said  suit.  Also  agreed,  that  said  West  or  Third  Parish  shall 
renounce  and  relinquish  all  claim  to  the  old  meeting-house,  and  also  to  those  lands  the 
town  voted  to  the  First  Parish  March  4,  1771 ;  also  agreed  that  said  West  Parish  shall 
make  no  further  demands  of  the  money  which  they  paid  toward  the  new  meeting- 
house in  the  First  Parish. 

"  These  are  the  articles  agreed  upon  by  us  ;  and  which  we  do  heartily  recommend 
to  each  Parish  for  their  acceptance,  hoping  we  may  then  reap  the  happy  fruits  of 
peace. 

"  It  is  understood  by  both  Committees  that,  unless  both  Parishes  accept  this  Report^ 
it  is  to  be  all  void  and  of  none  effect,  and  that  Parish  that  may  or  doth  accept  shall 
not  be  held  thereby. 

BROWN  EMERSON, 

SAMUEL  BANCROFT,  } 
"May  3,  1773,  Read  and  Accepted." 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  ^3 

This  year  the  people  of  Boston,  a  party  of  them,  threw  overboard 
into  the  sea  342  chests  of  tea,  on  which  an  obnoxious  tax  had  been 
levied  by  England.  Andrew  Oliver,  who  died  in  this  town  in  1817,  at 
the  age  of  70,  was  of  the  party  aforesaid. 

A  reward  of  .£500  each  was  offered  for  the  names  of  the  party,  but 
no  one  opened  his  lips  to  inform. 

Other  obnoxious  acts  were  at  this  time  passed  by  the  British  Parlia- 
ment, which  aroused  the  suspicions  of  the  people. 

In  January  the  town  of  Reading  were  assembled  to  consider  their 
public  grievances,  as  set  forth  in  a  letter  received  from  the  town  of  Bos- 
ton. The  town  voted  that  Messrs.  Benjamin  Brown,  Samuel  Bancroft, 
Esq.,  Lt.  John  Walton,  Capt.  Thomas  Flint,  Dea.  Amos  Upton,  Capt. 
David  Green,  Mr.  John  Temple,  Mr.  William  Sawyer,  and  Mr.  Andrew 
Beard,  be  a  Committee  to  consider  the  subject  and  report.  Said  com- 
mittee submitted  a  report  in  the  shape  of  instructions  to  their  rep- 
resentative, \ihich  was  read  and  debated  on  two  separate  days,  and 
accepted.  Said  report  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  To  Deacon  Daniel  Putnam,  who  represents  this  town  at  the  Great  and  General 
Court  of  this  Province,  Sir,  being  chosen  by  the  freeholders  and  other  inhabitants  of 
the  town  of  Reading  to  the  important  trust  of  a  Representative,  we  expect  you  will  pay 
all  proper  attention  to  the  advice  and  instruction  of  us,  your  constituents,  whenever 
we  shall  think  fit  to  offer  such  as  we  judge  conducive  to  the  public  good,  which  we 
now  do,  not  from  any  distrust  of  your  integrity,  but  that  your  hands  may  be  strength- 
ened by  knowing  the  minds  of  your  constituents.  It  being  reported,  and  we  fear  not 
without  foundation,  that  salaries  are  annexed,  by  order  of  the  Crown,  to  the  offices  of 
the  Honorable  Justices  of  the  Superior  Court  in  this  Province,  whereby  they  are  made 
independent  of  any  grant  from  our  Great  and  General  Court ;  this  step,  if  really 
taken,  requires  the  attention  of  every  person  in  the  Province  and  within  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  said  Court,  who  have  either  life  or  property  depending.  As  nothing  can  be  of 
more  importance  to  the  happiness  of  any  people  than  absolute  independence  of  those 
who  are  to  pass  finally  upon  their  lives  and  properties ;  and  what  can  make  our  Hon- 
orable Justices  of  the  Superior  Court  more  dependent  than  their  receiving  their 
salaries  at  the  will  of  that  power  with  whose  substitute  their  commissions  originate  ; 
and  without  whose  consent  they  cannot  be  dismissed,  be  their  administration  ever  so 
grievous  to  the  people.  In  order  to  prevent  the  many  dangers  that  may  follow  from 
the  dependence  of  the  Judges  upon  the  Crown  for  their  support,  we  do  advise  and 
instruct  you  to  exert  yourself  that  the  salaries  of  the  Honorable  Justices  of  the  Su- 
perior Court  be  raised  so  as  to  be  adequate  to  their  station  and  service,  and  as  inde- 
pendent both  on  Prince  and  people  as  possible. 

"  There  are  more  grievances,  that  might  be  pointed  out,  such  as  the  '  Revenue 
Act,'  as  it  is  called,  so,  also,  the  extension  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Courts  of  Vice 
Admiralty,  which  we  judge  to  be  a  grievance,  dangerous  and  oppressive  to  the  people. 

"  We  need  not  enumerate  our  public  grievances  ;  they  are  publicly  known.  And 
since  this  is  our  present  situation,  it  is  our  special  advice  and  instruction  to  you  at 
this  time  of  danger,  to  use  your  utmost  endeavor,  in  every  constitutional  way  in  the 


174 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


General  Court,  to  procure  a  redress  of  our  grievances  and  a  restoration  of  that  happy 
harmony,  which  lately  subsisted  between  Great  Britain  and  her  colonies ;  and  also  in 
every  constitutional  way,  seek  to  promote  harmony  in  the  several  branches  of  the 
Great  and  General  Court,  of  which  you  are  a  member ;  but  caution  you  against  giv- 
ing your  consent  to  measures  which  may  in  the  least  preclude  us  or  our  posterity  from 
asserting  our  just  rights  as  Men  and  British  subjects. 

"  We  wish  you  success  in  your  just  endeavors,  and  we  wish  success  to  all  the  just 
and  constitutional  endeavors  of  every  branch  of  that  Great  and  General  Court,  of 
which  you  are  a  member,  for  the  removal  of  our  grievances,  and  the  promotion  of  good 
government,  peace  and  order  in  this  Province." 

1774.  —  The  war  clouds  are  rising,  their  lightnings  are  beginning  to 
flash,  and  the  rumblings  of  their  thunder  are  heard  in  the  distance. 
In  June  the  town  voted  "to  maintain  their  Charter  Rights  in  every 
constitutional  way."  At  the  same  time  also  voted  "  that  Messrs.  Ben- 
jamin Brown,  John  Walton,  John  Batchelder,  Jr.,  George  Flint,  David 
Damon,  Benjamin  Flint,  Samuel  Bancroft,^Esq.,  John  Temple,  and  Ja- 
bez  Damon,  be  a  Committee  to  enquire  into  our  present  exigencies  and 
draft  something  relative  thereto,  and  lay  it  before  the  town  for  their- 
consideration  at  the  adjournment  of  this  meeting  July  nth." 

July  n,  the  Committee  aforesaid  submitted  the  following  Report :  — 

"  The  situation  of  things  between  Great  Britain]  and  the  Colonies  hath  been  for 
some  years  past  very  unhappy  ;  Parliament  on  the  one  hand  hath  been  taxing  the 
Colonies,  and  they,  on  the  other,  have  been  petitioning  and  remonstrating  against  it, 
apprehending  they  have  a  constitutional  and  executive  right  of  taxing  themselves, 
without  which  our  condition  would  be  but  little  better  than  slavery. 

"  Possessed  of  these  sentiments,  every  new  measure  of  Parliament,  tending  to  es- 
tablish and  confirm  a  tax,  renews  and  increases  our  distress,  which  we  think  cannot 
be  given  up  without  degrading  ourselves. 

"  This  town  hath  already  voted  to  maintain  their  rights  in  every  constitutional  way, 
•which  sentiments  we  trust  will  be  perpetual ;  and  though  there  are  many  ways,  means 
and  things  proposed  by  one  and  another,  that  have  hopeful  appearances,  and  yet  all 
attended  with  uncertainty  ;  and,  as  we  understand  a  Congress  of  Commissioners  from 
all  the  Colonies  is  proposed,  that  so  we  may  have  as  near  as  possible  the  wisdom  of 
the  whole  collected  in  consulting  and  determining  the  most  likely  ways  and  means  for 
eur  deliverance  from  our  present  perplexed  and  distressed  state,  which  Congress,  it  is 
expected,  will  meet  by  the  first  of  September  next,  we  therefore  judge  it  is  not  expe- 
dient for  this  town  to  adopt  any  particular  measures  for  their  future  conduct,  till  we 
hear  what  measures  shall  be  adopted  by  them,  least  we  should  counteract  the  meas- 
ures they  may  fix  upon  as  most  probable  for  our  deliverance,  and  to  extricate  us  from 
our  present  distress.  We  also  think  it  the  duty  of  every  one  to  refrain  from  the  lux- 
uries and  superfluities  of  life,  and  to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  to  encourage  our  own 
manufactures,  humbling  ourselves  before  Almighty  God,  and  earnestly  supplicating 
him  for  deliverance  ;  for  how  much  soever  we  judge  these  things  unrighteous,  as  com- 
ing from  the  hands  of  men,  we  must  allow  they  are  just  as  sent  from  God. 
"  By  order  of  the  Committee, 

"  BENJ.   BROW^T,  Chairman." 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  175 

Then  chose  John  Temple  and  Benjamin  Brown  as  deputies  to  a  Pro- 
vincial Congress,  and  appropriated  £2  13*.  &d.  for  support  of  the 
Commissioners  of  Congress. 

In  December,  the  town  voted  "to  adopt  the  sentiments  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  as  their  own,  and  strictly  to  adhere  to  them."  Then 
chose  a  Committee  of  Inspection  "  to  see  that  the  foregoing  sentiments 
are  strictly  adhered  to." 

Roads,  etc.,  in  the  North  Precinct:  — 

"Reading,  May  18,  1774  or  1742.  We,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  being 
chosen  a  Committee  to  view  and  see  what  ways  are  necessary  in  the  North  Precinct, 
and  to  set  out  a  Burying  place  and  a  training  field,  have  been  and  taken  a  view  thereof, 
and  report  as  followeth  : 

"  1st  A  way  from  Flint's  mill  to  Lynn  line  as  it  was  formerly  laid  out  by  the  Se- 
lectmen. 

"  2d.  A  way  from  Geo.  Flint's  out  to  the  ten-pole  way  before  Samuel  Dix's  house, 
near  the  corner  of  Jona.  Flint's  land. 

"  3d.  A  way  from  the  Saw  Mill  between  Samuel  Dix's  land  and  Samuel  Lues,  Jr.'s, 
land  to  the  above  said  road. 

"  4th.  A  Bridle  way  from  the  road  near  Richardson  bridge  up  to  Samuel  Harts- 
horn's, and  so  on  the  east  side  of  said  Hartshorn's  land  up  to  the  other  Road,  that 
leads  from  Jona.  Batcheller's  to  the  Meeting-house. 

"  5th.  A  way  from  said  Jona.  Batcheller's  land  to  the  ten-pole  way  by  or  near  '  Nod 
Mill.' 

"  All  the  above  said  ways  we  look  upon  as  needful  and  necessary ;  and  there  are 
some  other  ways  asked  for,  that  we  are  not  able  at  present  to  give  our  opinion  upon, 
not  being  fully  acquainted  with  the  circumstances  thereof,  not  having  time. 


"EBENEZER  PARKER, 
"EBENEZER   FLINT, 
"THOMAS   EATON, 
"EDWARD   HIRCOM, 
"  EBENEZER  NICHOLS, 


Committee." 


(N.  B.  — The  date  to  the  above  reads  thus  :  "  May  18,  17742,"  and  was  intended 
probably,  for  1742.) 

The  Third  Parish  ordered  that  their  part  of  the  schooling  for  the 
present  year  shall  be  one  half  in  the  northwest  part,  and  the  other  half 
in  the  northeast  part,  of  the  parish. 

1775.  —  This  year  the  war  of  the  Revolution  burst  upon  the  American 
Colonies. 

Into  the  spirit  of  that  war,  in  defence  of  American  liberty  against  the 
growing  encroachments  of  British  tyranny,  the  people  of  Reading  en- 
tered with  great  unanimity  and  with  all  their  heart ;  to  its  support  they 
not  only  pledged,  but  they  freely  paid,  "  their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and 


!-g  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

their  sacred  honor."  The  records  of  the  town  and  of  each  parish, 
during  the  continuance  of  the  war,  breathe  the  most  earnest  patriotism, 
the  most  determined  resolution,  and  are  full  of  votes  for  raising  and 
providing  money,  provisions,  clothing,  fuel,  and  men,  in  cheerful  re- 
sponse to  all  the  calls  of  the  Government. 

It  appears  that  the  town  of  Reading  sent  to  the  army,  for  longer  or 
shorter  terms,  from  first  to  last,  more  than  400  men ;  and  there  was 
constantly  in  the  field  from  Reading  an  average  of  one  hundred  men 
during  the  war. 

This  does  not  include  minute-men,  men  drafted  from  time  to  time  to 
guard  prisoners,  and  privateersmen,  of  which  there  were  many. 

Col.  Benjamin  Brown,  Capt.  James  Bancroft,  Capt.  (afterwards  Col. 
and  Gov.)  John  Brooks,  and  others  from  Reading  were  brave  and  emi- 
nent officers. 

(See  List  of  Soldiers  in  the  Army  in  the  Appendix  "D.") 

Some  of  the  votes  of  the  town  during  this  memorable  contest  will  be 
given  to  show  the  heroic  sentiments  of  the  people,  and  the  greatness  of 
their  contributions  of  men  and  means,  in  proportion  to  their  popula- 
tion and  resources,  as  well  as  to  exhibit  the  alarming  commotions  of 
those  "times  that  tried  men's  souls." 

January,  Town  voted  to  raise  .£75  us.  nd.,  and  appropriate  the 
same  to  the  use  of  the  Province. 

March,  the  Provincial  Congress  having  recommended  that  one  fourth 
part  of  all  the  militia  companies  in  the  Province  be  enlisted,  equipped, 
and  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  on  the  shortest  notice,  the 
town  voted  to  allow  a  bounty  of  one  shilling  for  every  three  hours'  at- 
tendance of  any  minute-man,  twice  a  week,  at  the  place  of  parade,  to 
learn  the  art  military.  Many  persons  came  forward  and  enlisted  as 
minute-men. 

Town  voted  to  contribute  to  the  relief  of  Boston  and  Charlestown 
(See  Appendix  "K."; 

Mr.  John  Temple  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  a  Provincial  Congress  to 
be  held  at  Cambridge  in  February  next.  He  was  also  elected  Repre- 
sentative. 

In  April  the  Provincial  Congress  resolved  that  the  people  of  Massa- 
chusetts should  prepare  for  war  with  the  mother  country,  as  they  fear 
she  means  to  destroy  this  country.  They  appoint  a  Fast  on  account 
thereof. 

April  19,  the  battle  of  Lexington  and  Concord  fight  took  place. 
Many  of  the  citizens  of  this  town  were  in  these  skirmishes. 

Reuben  Eaton,  son  of  Noah,  whom  many  now  living  will  remember, 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


1/7 


—  a  young  man  who  loved  his  gun,  was  fond  of  hunting,  and  was  skilful 
in  taking  game,  especially  ducks  and  other  wild  fowl, — when  the  alarm- 
ing news  first  reached  the  town  that  the  British  were  moving  out  of  the 
city  towards  Concord,  it  is  said  that  he,  unlike  his  fellow-citizens 
generally,  who,  full  of  excitement,  seizing  what  arms  and  ammunition 
came  first  to  hand,  ran  with  all  haste  to  find  the  foe,  this  man,  with  all 
the  deliberation  and  care  with  which  he  would  prepare  to  hunt  ducks, 
proceeded  to  cleanse  his  gun,  supply  his  lock  with  a  new  flint,  his  horn 
with  powder,  and  his  pouch  with  bullets,  and  every  other  equipment, 
and,  when  thus  prepared,  followed  in  pursuit. 

He  reached  Concord  in  season  to  join  the  skirmish  there,  and  to 
assist  in  driving  the  enemy  towards  Boston. 

In  their  retreat  from  Concord,  it  will  be  remembered,  the  British 
were  pursued  and  harassed  by  the  Americans,  who,  from  behind  walls, 
buildings,  and  trees,  discharged  their  muskets  at  the  retiring  foe.  In 
this  pursuit  our  hero  was  active  and  conspicuous. 

Getting  in  advance  of  the  retreating  detachment,  and  secreting  him- 
self behind  some  building,  wall,  or  other  defence,  he  would  wait  their 
approach,  and  taking  the  same  deliberate  and  careful  aim  as  if  he  were 
hunting  fowls,  would  be  pretty  sure  not  to  fire  without  effect.  He  said 
afterwards,  in  referring  to  this  mode  of  popping  off  the  enemy,  "  O,  it 
was  glorious  picking  !  " 

At  one  time,  however,  he  came  near  getting  picked  off  himself. 
Continuing  once  in  his  hiding-place  r  ither  too  long,  until  the  British 
had  approached  quite  near,  hating  to  leave  until  he  had  fired  a  ball  or 
two  more,  he  at  length  started  and  ran.  The  British  saw  him,  and  sev- 
eral guns  were  instantly  discharged  at  him  ;  he  immediately  dropped, 
although  not  hit,  and  laid  flat  upon  his  face ;  supposing  him  to  be 
killed,  the  foe  marched  on.  Eaton  then  sprang  up  and  ran  again ; 
again  the  balls  came  whistling  after  him ;  again  he  dropped  as  if  killed, 
although  still  uninjured,  and,  after  lying  a  minute,  jumped  up  and  took 
to  his  heels  again.  The  troops  saw  him  and  again  fired  after  him,  but 
he  escaped  unhurt.  He  heard  them  say,  however,  "  See  that  Yankee  ; 
we  have  killed  him  twice,  and  look,  he  can  run  yet ! " 

He  remarked,  after  his  return  home,  that  this  was  the  happiest  day 
of  his  life. 

Thomas  Emerson  (father  of  the  late  Hon.  Thomas  Emerson),  then  a 
young  man  of  eighteen  years,  was  promptly  in  pursuit  on  that  occasion. 
He  overtook  the  enemy  near  Concord,  at  or  near  the  place  where  the 
road  from  Bedford  comes  into  the  Concord  road,  a  mile  or  two  east  of 
Concord  village.  It  was  here  he  got  his  first  shot  at  the  redcoats.  It 
23 


178  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

was  here,  too,  or  near  here,  that  he  saw  too  foemen  meet,  one  coming 
out  of,  or  round  the  corner  of,  a  house,  and  the  other  approaching  the 
house ;  they  fired  at  each  other  at  the  same  moment,  and  both  fell 
dead  together. 

The  following  pressing  call  upon  the  town  for  wood  shows  the  dis- 
tress of  the  army  at  this  time  :  — 

"  To  the  Selectmen  of  Reading  : 

"  Gents :  The  Committee  appointed  by  the  General  Court  to  aid  the  Quarter- 
master-General in  supplying  the  army  with  wood,  have  directed  me  to  write  to  you, 
in  the  most  pressing  manner,  praying  that  you  immediately  exert  yourselves  in  per- 
suading and  prevailing  upon  the  people  in  your  town  to  supply  our  brethren  in  the 
army  with  wood. 

"  In  compliance  with  their  direction,  I  inform  you  that  the  Committee  have  for  a 
fortnight  past  been  incessant  in  their  application  to  this  business  ;  and  they  are  now 
so  engaged  that  they  cannot  wait  upon  you,  but  you  are  earnestly  entreated,  by  all  you 
hold  dear,  not  to  delay  this  matter  ;  the  Committee  are  much  obliged  to  you  for  what 
you  have  done  already ;  but  the  supply  is  not  adequate  to  the  demand ;  therefore  it 
is  hoped  you  will  engage  all  the  teams  you  can.  Hereby  you  will  serve  your  country, 
you  will  serve  yourselves,  you  will  relieve  your  brethren,  and  much  oblige  your  Hum- 
ble Servant, 

"RICHARD   DENVER. 

"  WATERTOWN,  Nov.  18,  1775.  "Per  order. 

"  N.  B.  —  You  will  see  the  propriety  of  mentioning  it  on  Lords-day  in  the  meeting- 
house." 

To  this  earnest  call  the  people  of  Reading  returned  the  following 
answer : — 

"  Nov.  20,  1775.  — To  the  Quartermaster  General  of  the  army  :  Being  acquainted 
by  Mr.  Denver,  your  assistant,  that  the  army  is  in  great  necessity  of  wood,  we  have 
exerted  our  utmost  efforts  that  they  may  be  supplied  ;  but  the  case  is  such,  there 
being  about  a  hundred  men  from  this  town  in  the  army,  that  we  are  under  great  diffi- 
culty for  hewers  of  wood;  if  you  will  therefore  send  up  the  Captain  of  the  Company 
from  this  town  with  a  party  of  men  to  cut  wood,  we  make  no  doubt  our  teams  will  be 
immediately  employed,  and  continue  until  they  carry  a  hundred  cords  or  more." 

Dec.  4,  1775,  the  town  voted  "that  the  First  Parish  carry  14  cords, 
the  Second  Parish  izj-  cords,  and  the  Third  Parish  12  cords,  of  wood, 
per  week,  to  the  army  on  '  Winter  Hill.'  " 

Dec.  26,  1775,  House  of  Representatives  ordered  "that  Mr.  Ingols 
repair  immediately  to  Reading,  and  represent  to  the  Committee  of  Cor- 
respondence, Selectmen  and  inhabitants  of  said  town  the  distress  of  the 
army  for  wood,  and  the  great  danger  the  Country  is  exposed  to  from 
the  dispersion  of  the  army,  which  may  take  place  if  it  is  not  supplied 
with  wood ;  and  to  use  his  utmost  endeavors  to  prevail  with  them  to 
exert  themselves  in  this  critical  situation  of  the  army ;  to  supply  not 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


1/9 


only  such  quantity  as  has  been  set  to  them,  but  as  much  more  as  they 
possibly  can,  at  least  half  as  much  more  as  has  been  set  on  them  as 
aforesaid. 

"Attest:  SAMUEL   FREEMAN,  CAvX-." 

"Jacob  Emerson  (son  of  Dea.  Brown  Emerson)  was  chosen  Select- 
man in  place  of  Lt  James  Bancroft,  who  was  gone  to  the  army." 

Lt.  James  Bancroft  aforesaid  was  commissioned  May  6th,  by  the 
Council  of  Massachusetts,  as  Captain  of  the  Fourth  Company  of  Second 
Regiment  of  Militia  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  and,  in  July,  1776,  by 
the  same  authority,  as  Captain  of  the  Continental  Army  in  Canada, 
under  Col.  Jonathan  Reed,  Esq. 

In  June,  1777,  he  received,  direct  from  Congress,  a  captain's  com- 
mission in  the  regiment  of  foot,  under  Col.  Michael  Jackson,  Esq. 
This  commission  was  signed  by  John  Hancock,  President  of  Congress. 

Capt.  Bancroft  aforesaid  (afterwards  known  as  "  Esquire  "  Bancroft) 
enlisted  in  the  army  in  1775,  and  continued  to  serve  therein  until  1780. 
He  was  at  Concord  fight  in  1775,  anc^  at  l^e  taking  of  Burgoyne  in 
1777.  Afterwards  Gen.  Washington  gave  him  charge  of  a  hospital  in 
Pennsylvania.  He  married,  ist,  1758,  Sarah  Pierson,  and  2d,  in  1785, 
Sarah  Parker.  He  died  May  17,  1831,  aged  92. 

It  seems  to  be  a  wise  ordination  of  an  overruling  Providence,  that,  in 
all  great  emergencies  in  society,  there  shall  step  forth^upon  the  stage  of 
action  individuals  suited  to  the  exigence,  who  are  qualified  to  lead  and 
to  guide.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution  our 
country  was  highly  blessed  in  this  regard.  Wise  and  good  men  started 
up  in  different  parts  of  the  land,  illustrious  among  whom  was  the  im- 
mortal Washington.  Our  own  State  at  that  time  had  its  great  and 
good  men,  conspicuous  among  whom  were  Quincy,  Warren,  the  Adamses, 
and  others.  The  town  of  Reading,  too,  had  then  its  able  and  wise 
men,  each  parish  being  thus  more  or  less  distinguished.  .  In  the  First 
Parish  were  :  Col.  David  Green,  who  had  long  been  a  man  of  influence 
in  civil  and  military  life,  now  between  sixty  and  seventy  years  old, 
but  all  ready  to  go  forth  to  defend  the  liberties  of  his  country,  and 
Col.  Benjamin  Brown  (See  Appendix  "I"),  then  in  the  full  strength 
of  middle  life,  able,  zealous,  and  patriotic,  and  highly  popular,  with 
others ;  in  the  Second  Parish  were  Benjamin  Upton  and  Benjamin 
Flint,  Esquires,  and  Col.  Daniel  Flint,  all  men  of  ability  and  influence, 
and  others ;  and  in  the  Third  Parish,  eminent  among  the  several 
parishes  for  the  number  and  power  of  its  strong  men,  were  John 
Temple,  great,  but  only  great  as  he  was  good  ;  Samuel  Bancroft,  Esq.,  the 
wise  counsellor  and  able  speaker,  then  in  the  vale  of  years ;  Capt.  Na- 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

than  Parker,  active  and  smart ;  Capt  John  Brooks,  the  young  physician, 
who  was  then  boarding  at  the  Damon  homestead,  and  who  was  a  cap- 
tain and  colonel  in  the  army,  and  subsequently  Governor  of  the  State  ; 
and  last,  but  not  least,  Capt.  James  Bancroft,  who,  not  only  among  the 
permanent  citizens  of  the  parish,  but  of  the  town  also,  held  a  high, 
perhaps  the  highest  place.  (See  Appendix  "  J.") 

In  this  comparison  the  several  clergymen  of  the  town  are  not 
included ;  but  of  them  it  can  be  said,  that  they  were  all  zealous 
patriots,  and  able  and  good  men. 

"  April  25. —  To  James  Adams  :  You  are  directed  to  go  to  Reading,  and  find  out  the 
effects  that  came  from  Salem  for  public  use,  and  if  these  effects  are  not  there,  find 
where  they  are,  and  if  teams  are  not  already  carrying  them,  do  you  procure  sufficient 
teams,  to  carry  all  the  public  stores,  and  all  such  provisions  and  ammunition,  as  be- 
long to  private  persons  who  are  willing,  in  this  critical  juncture,  to  let  the  public  have 
them,  and  order  the  teamsters  to  deliver  them  at  Watertown  to  Commissary  Brown, 
and  take  his  receipt 

"  JOHN    PIGEON,  Commissary  General." 

"  Reading,  April  26,  An  invoice  of  the  Province  stores,  which  I  received  and  stored 
in  Reading  Meeting-house  and  School-house,  as  follows  : 

"151  Barrels  of  Pork,  63  Barrels  of  Flour,  6  Barrels  of  Beef,  16  Bu.  of  Rye. 
(The  trust  of  the  above  I  committed  to  Mr.  Benjamin  Brown.) 

"NATH'L  BANCROFT." 

"  June  17,  In  Committee  of  Safety,  at  Cambridge, 

"  To  the  Selectmen  of  Reading, 

"  You  are  hereby  ordered  to  send  forthwith  all  the  Powder  in  the  town  stock  to 
Watertown,  except  one  pound  per  man." 

And  June  1 8,  "You  are  desired  to  provide  provision  sufficient  for  the  Militia  of 
your  town,  now  at  Cambridge,  and  send  it  forward  to  Cambridge  as  soon  as  may  be. 

"Per  order,    ON  A.  HASTINGS,  C/erJk." 

In  December,  town  chose  nine  persons  to  carry  wood  to  the  army. 

Also,  chose  a  commissary  to  furnish  necessaries  for  all  the  Donation 
people  from  Boston  and  Charlestown. 

Four  tons  of  English  hay  were  assessed  by  the  Court  upon  this  town, 
for  the  use  of  the  army,  and  paid. 

June  i  yth  occurred  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 

Many  of  the  citizens  of  Charlestown  removed  to  this  town  after  the 
conflagration  at  Charlestown,  among  whom  was  one  Capt.  Ebenezer 
Kent,  who  had  been  master  of  a  vessel  nearly  fifty  years,  and  who  lost 
his  property  by  the  fire  aforesaid.  He  died  here  in  1776,  aged  72. 

There  were  some  citizens  of  Reading  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 
It  is  said  that  one  Amos  Upton,  of  the  North  Precinct,  who  was  in  the 
battle,  in  the  retreat  of  the  Americans  across  the  Neck,  where  they 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  i$i 

were  exposed  to  a  cross-fire  from  the  British  ships  of  war,  ran  so  fast 
that  his  cue  (a  fashi9nable  appendage  for  young  men  in  those  days) 
"stuck  out  straight  behind." 

"  Reading,  June  22,  1775.  To  the  Committee  of  Supplies  now  sitting  at  Water 
town  : 

"  Having  received  a  line  from  you,  dated  June  I3th  instant,  relative  to  a  number  of 
articles  now  wanted  in  the  army,  we  trust  we  are  as  ready  to  assist  in  defence  of  our 
Country  as  any  town  in  the  Province,  but  the  great  flow  of  the  inhabitants  of  Boston, 
Charlestown,  Medford,  Maiden,  Salem  and  Marblehead,  daily  flocking  into  this  town, 
must,  we  think,  be  a  sufficient  excuse  for  not  sending  provisions,  and  as  for  blankets, 
we  have  been  obliged  to  find  near  a  hundred  for  men  that  have  been  enlisted  out  of 
this  town,  and  they  were  collected  from  house  to  house  in  this  town,  there  not  being 
new  ones  to  be  bought 

"  Your  humble  servants,  BENJ.   BROWN,  Chairman  of  Selectmen. 

JOHN   WALTON,  Chairman  of  Com.  of  Carres." 

Town-meetings  were  always  warned  in  the  name  of  the  Majesty  of 
England,  until  May,  1775,  when  a  town  meeting  was  called  in  the  name 
of  the  Provincial  Congress. 

In  Nov.  1775,  in  the  name  of  the  Continental  Congress. 

"  Jan.  1776,         "  "  Congress. 

"  Feb.     "  "  "  Majesty. 

"  May,    "  "  "  General  Court. 

"  July,    "  "  "          The   Independent    States  of    the 

United      Colonies     of     North 

America. 
"  Feb.  1777,        "  "  Government     and   People    of   the 

State  of  Massachusetts  Bay  in 

New  England. 
"  Dec.  1780,       "  "          Commonwealth   of    Massachusetts, 

and  so  until  now. 

1776.  —  In  July,  eight  Highland  officers,  prisoners,  were  sent  to 
Reading  (one  of  whom  was  Lt.-Col.  Archibald  Campbell),  with  women 
and  children  ;  they  petitioned  the  Council  for  support  of  their  servants. 
Court  ordered  them  to  support  their  own  servants,  or  dismiss  them,  and 
the  Council  would  take  charge  of  them,  or  give  them  soldiers'  rations, 
or  allow  them  to  support  themselves. 

Several  of  said  servants  were  accordingly  dismissed,  and  one  of 
them,  Robert  Hill,  worked  in  Reading  as  a  cordwainer. 

Town  voted  "to  carry  four  tons  (more)  of  English  hay  to  the  army, 
and  what  it  costs  more  than  five  pounds  per  ton  to  be  taken  from  the 
town  treasury."  ^5  per  ton  was  what  was  allowed  by  the  Quartermaster. 


l$2  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

In  January,  the  General  Court  assessed  the  several  towns  for  4,000 
blankets  for  Washington's  army,  of  which  the  town  of  Reading  was  re- 
quired to  procure  twenty-seven. 

In  May,  the  town  took  into  consideration  a  resolve  of  the  General 
Court,  relative  to  Independence,  and  voted,  unanimously,  "to  adhere 
to  the  determination  of  Congress  in  the  above  important  article,  and 
stand  by  it  to  the  last  with  their  lives  and  fortunes." 

July  18.  —  The  Declaration  of  Independence  by  the  American  Con- 
gress on  the  4th  is  published  from  the  balcony  of  the  State  House  in 
Boston. 

This  year  a  census  of  the  inhabitants  of  Massachusetts  was  taken. 

By  this  census  it  appears  that  the  town  of  Reading,  with  the  single 
exception  of  Sudbury,  was  then  the  largest  town,  in  respect  to  popula- 
tion, in  the  County  of  Middlesex. 

The  population  of  the  three  parishes  was  at  that  date  nearly  equal, 
the  First  Parish  having  a  trifle  the  largest. 

April  19.  — "  Whereas  I,  the  subscriber,  have  a  negro  man,  named  Cato,  who  hath 
requested  that  he  may,  in  some  future  time,  be  made  free,  I  hereby  declare  it  to  be 
my  purpose  and  design,  that  if  said  Cato  continue  an  obedient  and  faithful  servant  for 
the  space  of  three  years  next  after  the  date  hereof,  that,  at  the  end  of  said  term  of 
three  years,  said  Cato  shall  be  set  free. 

"SAMUEL  BANCROFT." 

This  year,  June  10,  died  Mrs.  Anna  Haven,  "the  amiable  consort  of 
Rev.  Thomas  Haven,  minister  of  the  Third  Parish,  in  the  226.  year  of 
her  age."  Upon  her  monumental  stone  it  is  written  :  — 

"  No  more  shall  I  her  friendly  converse  share, 
Nor  hear  the  dictates  of  her  pious  care  ; 
Yet  though  the  bright  example  is  removed, 
Be  its  idea  still  revered  and  loved ; 
To  imitate  her  virtues  may  I  try, 
And  on  the  path  she  mark'd,  still  fix  my  eye." 

Selectmen  of  Reading  petition  the  Court  for  relief  in  supporting 
people  on  donation,  some  from  Charlestown,  and  some  from  Boston  ; 
they  give  a  list  of  some  thirty  persons.  (See  Appendix  "  K.") 

1777.  — Town  chose  Jonathan  Flint  for  Tory  Prosecutor,  with  author- 
ity to  examine  all  persons  suspected  to  be  inimical  to  the  success  of 
the  present  war,  and  report  the  disloyal. 

May  19,  Col.  Benj.  Brown  issues  the  following  order:  — 

"  To  Lieut  Abraham  Foster  :  Sir,  agreeably  to  orders  I  have  just  received,  you  are 
ordered  immediately  to  see  that  your  company  be  ready  to  march  on  the  shortest 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  183 

notice,  and  see  that  every  man  is  equipped  according  to  law,  and  furnished  with  three 
or  four  days'  provision.  On  an  alarm  you  are  to  repair  with  your  company  at  the 
South  Meeting-house  in  Reading.  From  your  humble  servant, 

"BENJ.   BROWN,  Lt.-CoI." 

Aug.  18,  the  Selectmen  of  Reading  address  the  following  certificate 
and  request  to  the  Board  of  War :  — 

"  This  is  to  certify  that  the  number  of  men  borne  on  the  Training  Band  and  Alarm 
List,  in  the  several  companies  in  this  town,  is  348.  And  agreeably  to  a  late  Resolve 
of  the  Honorable  General  Court  of  this  State,  we  request  the  Hon.  Board  of  War  to 
order  to  be  delivered  to  us  our  proportion  of  firearms,  gun-locks,  lead  and  flints. 

"JACOB  EMERSON,^ 
"TIMO.  PRATT,  JR.  >  " Selectmen." 
"BENJ.  FOSTER,        ) 

Sept.  26,  Col.  Fox  issues  the  following  order:  — 

"  To  Lieut  Joseph  Bancroft :  Sir,  you  are  hereby  ordered  without  any  delay  to 
draft  or  enlist  one  half  of  all  the  able-bodied  men  in  your  company  to  march  to  the 
northward  with  six  days'  provision,  with  arms  and  all  accoutrements  complete,  ac- 
cording to  act  of  Court.  Hereof  you  must  not  fail,  and  make  return  to  me  of  the  men 
so  enlisted  ;  you  must  make  your  return  by  Monday  next. 

"JONATHAN    FOX  (of  Woburn),  Col." 

Whereupon  Lt.  Bancroft  forthwith  issues  the  following  order:  — 

"  To  Mr.  Thomas  Eaton  :  Sir,  in  obedience  to  orders  I  have  received,  you  are  re- 
quired to  warn  all  the  Training  soldiers  in  your  ward  to  meet  at  the  meeting-house  in 
the  Third  Parish,  with  arms  complete,  the  27th  of  Sept.  inst.  at  one  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon.  Also,  to  warn  the  Alarm  List,  that  they  attend  at  said  time  and  place." 

Lieut.  Bancroft  commanded  the  company  in  the  Third  Parish. 

The  military  companies  of  the  First  and  Second  Parishes  received 
similar  orders. 

The  commissioned  officers  of  the  town  of  Reading  were  directed,  No- 
vember 5th,  to  order  their  men  to  be  ready  to  march  on  the  shortest 
notice  that  may  be,  in  case  of  an  alarm,  with  three  days'  provisions. 

For  rolls  of  the  several  militia  companies  of  Reading  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war,  and  of  a  company  of  minute-men,  see  Appendix  "  H." 

Town  instructed  their  treasurer  to  receive  none  but  Continental  bills. 

Voted  to  raise  £12  for  purchasing  lead  and  flints. 

October,  occurred  the  surrender  of'Burgoyne's  army  to  Gen.  Gates. 

In  the  battles  which  resulted  in  this  glorious  victory,  large  numbers 
of  Reading  men  were  engaged. 

Joshua  Eaton,  of  Reading,  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  the  day  pre- 
ceding the  surrender,  October  7th.  He  was  the  son,  probably,  of 


1 84 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Joshua  Eaton,  who  died  in  1772,  and  grandson  of  Capt.  Tho.  and  Mrs. 
Lydia  Eaton,  who  lived  in  the  West  Parish. 

1778. —  The  Committee  on  "Confederation"  reported  that  the 
"  Articles  of  Confederation "  be  approved  of,  which  the  town  voted 
(Feb.  1 6)  their  acceptance  of. 

Town  voted,  May  i8th,  to  raise  ^246  12*.  to  defray  the  charges  of 
purchasing  and  carrying  to  Concord  the  clothing  apportioned  to  this 
town,  for  the  Continental  army,  by  the  General  Court. 

June  8,  the  town  voted,  seventy-five  to  one,  "  not  to  accept  the  new 
Constitution." 

The  Constitution  mentioned  above  was  formed  and  proposed  to  the 
people  by  the  General  Court  of  1777-8,  acting  as  a  convention. 

It  was  rejected  by  the  people  of  the  State  by  a  large  majority. 

Measures  were  soon  after  taken  for  assembling  another  Convention, 
distinct  from  the  Legislative  body,  the  result  of  which  was  the  adoption 
of  the  present  Constitution.  In  these  measures,  as  will  hereafter  ap- 
pear, the  town  of  Reading  joined  and  sympathized. 

Sept.  19,  an  order  came  from  the  General  Court,  directing  one  third 
of  the  militia  to  be  in  readiness  for  marching  to  defend  Boston,  in  case 
the  French  fleet  there  shall  be  attacked  by  the  British. 

1779. — Town  voted  that  Messrs.  Joseph  Underwood,  Daniel  Put- 
nam, and  Jonathan  Weston  be  a  Committee  against  monopoly. 

Also  voted  that  Capt.  Abraham  Foster,  George  Flint,  and  Thomas 
Damon  be  a  Committee  to  pizv&i\\.  forestalling. 

Also  voted  to  impower  our  Representative  to  vote  in  favor  of  a  State 
Convention  to  form  a  new  Constitution. 

In  July,  Lieut.  Benjamin  Flint  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Consti 
tutional  Convention  to  be  holden  at  Cambridge. 

In  addition  to  the  trials  and  troubles  of  a  protracted  war,  the  people 
of  Reading  were  called  upon  to  contend  with  the  pestilence  that  walketh 
in  darkness. 

The  small-pox  broke  out  among  them  this  year.  Whereupon  the 
town  voted  that  measures  be  taken  to  prevent  the  small-pox  from  going 
through  the  town ;  that  houses  be  provided  for  persons  taken  with  the 
small-pox  the  natural  way. 

Voted,  also,  that  inoculation  cease  with  the  dissolution  of  the 
meeting. 

Voted,  also,  to  exclude  Mrs.  Prentiss,  Mrs.  Vinton,  and  the  wife  of 
Joseph  Emerson,  Jr.,  from  the  limitation  of  time. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  ^5 

Voted,  also,  to  prosecute,  as  the  law  directs,  all  those  who  presume 
to  inoculate,  or  be  inoculated,  after  the  time  above  limited. 

1780.  —  In  complying  with  the  numerous  calls  made  upon  the  town 
for  men  for  the  army,  the  town  sometimes  chose  a  committee,  with 
power  to  obtain  them  on  the  best  terms  possible,  and  sometimes  they 
apportioned,  as  nearly  as  possible,  the  number  required  among  the 
three  parishes,  in  the  following  proportion,  viz.  where  the  First  and 
Second  Parishes  provided  four,  the  Third  Parish  furnished  three. 

But  it  appears  that  the  town  always  filled  its  quota. 

This  year  the  town  was  required  to  furnish  twenty-three  militia  sol- 
diers for  three  months,  twenty-three  Continental  soldiers  for  six  months, 
and  twenty-three  more  for  three  years  or  during  the  war. 

May  4th,  at  a  town-meeting  voted  that  Benjamin  Brown,  Esq.,  Lieut. 
Benjamin  Flint,  Capt.  Abraham  Foster,  Dea.  Jacob  Emerson,  Dea. 
Amos  Upton,  Capt.  James  Bancroft,  Capt  John  Goodwin,  and  Mr. 
Amos  Upton,  Jr.,  be  a  Committee  to  consider  the  new  State  Constitu- 
tion, and  report. 

Said  Committee  subsequently  reported,  "that  they  had  maturely  con- 
sidered the  same  by  paragraphs,  and  are  unanimously  of  opinion  that 
the  same  in  every  part  is  well  calculated  for  the  comfort,  peace,  liberty, 
and  happiness  of  a  community,  excepting  the  qualifications  of  members 
of  Congress,  which  it  seems  is  left  wholly  out  of  the  question.  We  are 
humbly  of  the  opinion,  that  it  is  as  necessary  that  each  member  of  Con- 
gress should  be  qualified,  with  as  much  estate  and  as  long  residence  in 
the  State  as  the  Governor,  for  these  reasons :  — 

"  ist.  They  have  the  right  of  apportioning  the  Continental  taxes  on 
each  State,  and  if  they  have  no  estate,  they  will  be  void  of  the  stimulus 
that  chiefly  governs  mankind,  they  not  being  affected  in  their  own  in- 
terest. 

"  2d.  They  have  the  right  of  making  peace  or  war  with  any  Power, 
and  also  of  entering  into  alliances  with  what  power  they  may  think 
proper. 

"  But,  on  the  whole,  it  is  our  opinion  not  to  be  over  strenuous  in  this 
matter,  lest  by  our  dissenting  votes  we  frustrate  the  whole  Constitution, 
which  in  Whole  we  had  rather  would  take  place,  than  have  it  suspended 
a  length  of  time,  which  probably  will  be  attended  with  pernicious  con- 
sequences. 

"  By  order  of  the  Committee. 

"BENJAMIN   BROWN,  Chairman." 
24 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

The  town  then  voted  to  accept  the  Report,  121  in  favor,  no  one 
against  it. 

NOTE.  —  The  above  Report  was  probably  written  by  Dea.  Jacob  Emerson,  one  of 
the  Committee,  and  a  graduate  of  Har.  Coll.  in  1756. 

May  igth  of  this  year,  in  addition  to  the  constant  demands  and  fear- 
ful uncertainties  of  war,  and  the  prevalence  of  that  terrible  scourge,  the 
small-pox  (without  the  knowledge  of  the  mitigating  power  of  vaccina- 
tion), in  addition  to  all  .this,  on  the  day  aforesaid,  occurred  the  cele- 
brated "  Dark  Day,"  "  when  candlfts  were  lighted  in  many  houses,  the 
birds  were  silent  and  disappeared,  and  the  fowls  retired  to  roost."  A 
very  general  opinion  prevailed  that  the  Day  of  Judgment  was  at  hand. 

It  was,  certainly,  one  of  the  dark  days  of  the  Revolution. 

October,  the  town  of  Reading  was  called  upon  to  supply  12,450  Ibs. 
of  beef  for  the  Continental  army. 

Town  voted  to  supply  the  beef,  and  to  raise  ,£20,000  for  that  purpose 
(old  emission  of  currency).  In  December,  another  requisition  was 
made  upon  the  town  for  23,905  Ibs.  of  beef,  and  the  town  voted  to  raise 
.£36,000  for  the  purchase  of  the  same. 

Town  voted  to  raise  .£56,000  for  paying  the  hire  of  twenty-three 
Continental  soldiers  for  six  months. 

The  following  six  months'  men  were  hired  at  the  following  rates, 
namely  — 

John  Weston,  Jr.,  for  6  mo.  service,  ^2340,  or  130  bu.  Ind.  Corn. 

Thomas  Brown,      "  "  900,  "  50    "  " 

Jesse  Nichols,         "  "  1500,  "  83 \  "  " 

Wm.  Holt,              "  "  900,  "  50  "  " 

Nathaniel  Eaton,    "  "  1800,  "  100    "  " 

Richard  Mason,      "  "  1800,  "  100    "  " 

Reuben  Kemp,       "  "  900,  "  50    "  " 

Jacob  Burnap,        "  "  1800,  "  100    "  " 

Nicholas  Holt,        "  "  2400,  "  133    "  " 

Jere'h  Hartshorn,  "  "  1200,  "  66    "  " 

W.  Stimpson,  Jr.,  "  "  1800,  "  100    "  " 

The  Third  Parish  this  year  contributed  .£184  IQJ.  to  Rev.  Mr.  Whit- 
ney, of  Northboro',  who  had  lost  his  house  by  fire. 

1781.  —  January,  town  voted  to  raise  ^"50,000  for  hiring  twenty- 
three  men  for  the  army  for  three  years  or  during  the  war. 

July,  town  voted  to  raise  ^250  in  silver  to  purchase  9,866  pounds  of 
beef  for  the  army.  (Which  was  about  6d.  per  Ib.) 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 

October,  town  voted  that  their  treasurer  receive  £1  of  new  emission 
for  £40  of  old  emission ;  or  £1  in  Specie  for  ^75  of  old  emission. 

Under  the  old  custom  of  our  fathers  of  warning  new  settlers  out  of 
town,  to  prevent  their  gaining  a  "  settlement,"  it  often  happened  that 
very  valuable  and  desirable  families  were  warned  to  depart 

This  year,  Ebenezer  Pope  and  wife  Sarah,  and  children :  Lucy,  who 
married  Timothy  Poole  ;  Oliver  ;  Polly,  who  married  Hananiah  Parker ; 
Betsey,  who  married  (Master)  Tho.  Swain  ;  Jesse,  who  married  Nancy 
Hay,  and  was  long  sexton  ;  Gould,  —  were  warned  to  leave  this  town  and 
depart  to  Danvers. 

First  Parish  debt  this  year  was  ^"6,066  i  is.  id.,  equal  to  about  £80 
in  silver. 

1782.  —  Rev.  Thomas  Haven,  first  pastor  of  the  third  church  in 
Reading,  died  May  7,  1782,  in  the  thirty-ninth  year  of  his  age,  and 
twelfth  year  of  his  ministry. 

He  was  son  of  Rev.  Elias  (Har.  Coll.  1733,  and  minister  of  Wren- 
tham,  now  Franklin);  his  mother  was  Mary  Messenger.  Thomas  was 
the  grandson  of  Joseph  Haven,  of  Framingham  and  Hopkinton,  who 
was  the  son  of  Moses,  and  grandson  of  Richard,  of  Lynn.  Thomas 
was  of  Har.  Coll.  in  1665.  The  following  is  the  inscription  upon  his 
tombstone  in  Reading  (said  to  have  been  composed  by  Rev.  Dr.  Cum- 
mings,  of  Billerica):  — 

"  Stript  of  its  earthly  dress,  a  genius,  unfettered  by  bigotry,  improved  by  study, 
sanctified  by  religion,  ennobled  by  an  evangelic  temper,  enhanced  by  the  most  dif- 
fusive benevolence,  has  taken  its  flight  to  its  native  country.  Beloved  and  esteemed 
as  a  most  worthy  character,  whose  excellent  natural  and  acquired  abilities  and  emi- 
nent moral  endowments  afforded  the  most  flattering  hopes  of  great  and  growing 
usefulness,  his  exit,  at  such  an  early  period,  is  sincerely  lamented  by  all  his  acquaint- 
ance, and  is  especially  a  most  sorrowful  event  to  the  people  of  his  charge. 

"  According  to  common  reckoning  by  days,  months  and  years,  his  death  was  pre- 
mature ;  but  computing  human  life  by  the  advances  made  in  knowledge,  wisdom,  piety 
and  virtue,  he  lived  to  a  good  old  age" 

The  Third  Parish  re-purchased  the  estate  they  sold  to  Rev.  Thomas 
Haven,  of  Mr.  William  Haven. 

Persons  dissatisfied  with  the  preaching  of  Rev.  Mr.  Prentiss  pe- 
titioned the  First  Parish : 

ist  To  refuse  to  vote  Mr.  Prentiss  his  salary  ;  or, 

ad.  To  release  the  dissatisfied  ones  from  being  taxed  for  his  support ; 
or, 

3d.  To  choose  a  Committee  to  see  on  what  terms  Mr.  Prentiss  will 
quit  the  desk. 


1  88 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


After  considerable  debate  the  parish  voted  to  "  dismiss  the  whole." 
It  is  understood  that  the  objections  against  Mr.  Prentiss  were  not 
against  his  moral  character  as  a  man  and  a  citizen,  not  against  his 
talents  as  a  writer  and  public  speaker,  for  in  all  these  respects  he  main- 
tained a  fair  and  respectable  standing,  but  against  his  peculiar  senti- 
ments as  a  divine. 

Mr.  Prentiss  was  of  that  class  of  divines  then  termed  Arminian,  and 
at  the  present  day  would  be  called  Unitarian. 

1783.  —  Francis  Smith,  who  was  soon  after  chosen  deacon,  was,  this 
year,  with  his*  wife  Sarah  (Boardman),  warned  out  of  town  to  Lynn. 
He  owned  the  place  where  Mrs.  Benjamin  Emerson  now  lives,  on  Elm 
Street. 

1784.  —  First  Parish  voted  to  fence  the  Burial-Grounds. 
April  nth,  Contents  of  the  First  Parish  treasury:  — 


Note  against  Edmund  Eaton, 

"        "       James  Smith, 

"        "       Do.  and  Benjamin  Brown, 

"         "       Benjamin  Brown, 

"        "       William  Berd, 
Cash  :  New  Emission, 

"       Old         " 
Town  order  for  school  money, 


$3. 

$3048. 


500 
o  17  o 
18  20 
2  18  o 
2  16  o 


53    2  6 


JOHN   PRATT,   Treas. 


1785.  —  First  Parish  voted  to  petition  the  General  Court  to  be  set 
off  as  a  distinct  town,  and  chose  Ebenezer  Hopkins,  Nathaniel  Wiley, 
and  John  Hart  a  Committee  to  petition. 

Third  Parish  voted  not  to  find  any  wood  for  the  schools. 

1786.  —  Town  chose  a  Committee,  to  be  joined  by  Maiden,  respect- 
ing a  bridge  over  "  Penny  Ferry." 

This  year  the  "  Reading   Social   Library  "  was   formed,   and   Hay 
Nichols,  Esq.,  was  appointed  Librarian. 

1787.  —  Men  were  called  for  this  year  "to  march  to  the  westward 
in  support  of  Government."     This  expedition  was  for  the  purpose  of 
subduing  an  insurrection  headed  by  Daniel  Shays. 

Twelve  men  were  called  for  at  one  time,  and  more  at  another,  from 
the  First  Parish. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


189 


Parish  voted  "  that  each  man  should  have  3  shillings  per  day  and  $2 
bounty,  they  allowing  the  parish  all  State  pay  or  wages  which  they  may 
draw." 

Among  those  who  went  on  this  expedition  were :  Thomas  Emerson, 
Jr.,  Nathaniel  Emerson,  Joseph  Gould,  John  Vinton,  Jr.,  Ezra  Cow- 
drey,  Wm.  Stimpson,  Jr.,  Aaron  Damon,  Cornelius  Sweetser,  John 
Sweetser,  Wm.  Emerson,  Benjamin  Eaton,  Jonathan  P.  Hay,  Charles 
Eaton,  and  William  Gould. 


REV.    PETER   SANBORN. 

1789.  —  The  Third  Parish  voted  to  concur  with  the  church  in  the 
choice  of  Rev.  Peter  Sanborn  to  be  their  pastor  ;  also  voted  to  give 
him  ;£8o  salary  and  twenty  cords  of  wood  per  year,  and  £200  as  an 
encouragement  to  settle. 

Mr.  Sanborn,  having  been  made  acquainted  with  the  doings  of  the 
church  and  parish,  gave  the  following  answer :  — 

"  To  the  West  Church  and  Parish  in  Reading :  Seriously  impressed  with  a  sense 
of  the  events  of  Divine  Providence,  particularly  one  in  which  I  am  so  deeply  inter- 
ested, I  cannot  but  listen  to  its  language.  You,  my  brethren  and  friends  of  this 
Church  and  Congregation,  have  not  forgotten  the  day  when  the  Providence  of  God 
extinguished  the  lamp,  which,  for  a  short  period,  burnt  in  this  golden  candlestick ; 
it  is  also  fresh  in  your  memories,  that,  in  this  dark  and  bereaved  state,  your  eyes  have 
been  fixed  on  me  ;  you  have  presented  me  with  a  rote,  which  manifests  your  election 
of  me  to  be  your  pastor,  and  to  take  the  charge  of  your  church  and  congregation.  To 
suppress  emotions  of  gratitude  for  such  attention  and  respect  would  be  ingratitude 
tself.  Since  you  presented  me  with  the  above  invitation,  I  have  not  been  an  inatten- 


190 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


tive  observer  of  the  aspects  of  Providence,  nor  a  stranger  to  the  throne  of  grace,  and 
that  God,  who  giveth  wisdom  to  those  who  ask  him ;  my  fathers  and  brethren  in  the 
ministry  have  been  consulted  for  light  and  direction  in  this  important  affair,  an  affair 
which  is  not  circumscribed  by  the  narrow  limits  of  time,  but  extends  its  consequences 
forward  interminable  ages  beyond  the  judgment  day.  I  think  I  have  not  conferred 
with  flesh  and  blood,  but  have  endeavored  to  act  by  the  grace  of  God,  with  a  wise 
reference  to  that  solemn  day,  when  my  great  Master  shall  come  again  in  the  East,  the 
piercing  brightness  of  whose  eyes  will  reveal  the  secrets  of  men's  hearts,  and  reward 
or  punish  as  their  deeds  shall  be. 

"  Impressed  with  a  sense  of  these  things,  at  present,  it  appears  to  be  my  duty  to 
expend  the  talent  God  has  given  me  in  the  work  of  the  Gospel  Ministry.  And  while 
I  view  your  circumstances,  Providence  appears  to  speak  the  same  language;  I  do» 
therefore,  with  all  humility  and  diffidence  of  my  own  strength,  cordially  accept  of  your 
election  and  approbation,  and  consent  to  take  the  charge  of  your  Church  and  Con- 
gregation. I  shall  expect  punctuality  in  all  your  engagements,  and  must  beseech  you 
by  the  bowels  of  mercy,  to  pray  for  me  without  ceasing,  that  utterance  may  be  given 
me  that  I  may  open  my  mouth  boldly  to  make  known  the  mystery  of  the  Gospel ; 
that  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  would  furnish  me  with  every  ministerial  grace  and 
qualification ;  give  the  wisdom  of  the  serpent,  and  the  harmlessness  of  the  dove  ;  that 
the  Father  of  Mercies  would  fill  me  with  divine  wisdom  and  knowledge,  so  that  I  may 
be  a  bold  and  successful  minister  of  the  New  Testament. 

"  And  now,  my  brethren  and  friends,  God  Almighty  bless  you,  and  grant  that  we 
may  be  rich  in  mutual  blessings  in  our  several  stations  to  each  other,  while  on  earth, 
and  finally  make  us  partakers  of  his  Eternal  Glory,  when  time  shall  be  no  longer,  for 
the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  and  Shepherd  of  Souls. 
"  Reading, 

"  Jan'y  29,  1790.  '  PETER  SANBORN." 

Joseph  Atwell,  and  Pearn  his  wife,  from  Lynn,  with  their  children, 
Elizabeth,  Joseph,  Rebecca,  Hannah,  and  John  B.,  were  warned  out  of 
town. 

1790.  — This  year,  Thomas  Sweetser,  son  of  Michael  Sweetser,  Jr., 
of  Fitzwilliam,  N.  H.,  and  grandson  of  Michael  Sweetser,  Sen.',  of 
Reading,  a  young  man  of  about  twenty-five  years  of  age,  suddenly  and 
mysteriously  disappeared.  He  was  living  on  his  grandparents'  place, 
the  same  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Asa  N.  Sweetser.  The  last 
known  of  his  whereabouts  was,  that  he  was  at  the  place  in  Stoneham, 
long  known  as  the  "  Office,"  on  the  night  preceding  his  disappearance. 
This  "  Office "  was  an  old  building  that  stood  near  the  site  of  Hay's 
tavern,  in  Stoneham,  and  was  a  rum-drinking  and  gambling  establish- 
ment. It  is  supposed  that  Sweetser  was  engaged  in  gambling  at  this 
place,  until  a  late  hour,  and  was  probably  a  winner  of  considerable 
sums  of  money,  and  that  he  was  murdered  on  his  way  home.  No  evi- 
dence was  ever  obtained  to  convict  anybody  of  foul  play,  but  the  men 
who  were  his  companions  on  the  night  in  question  were  ever  after 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


IQI 


marked  men.  Sweetser,  in  taking  the  nearest  course  from  said  "  Office  " 
to  his  home  in  Reading,  would  be  most  likely  to  take  a  bridle-way  that 
passed  along  by  the  north  end  of  Smith's  Pond,  in  what  is  now  Wake- 
field.  In  1845,  while  the  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad  was  being  built 
through  South  Reading,  the  workmen,  while  removing  the  hill  at  the 
north  end  of  said  pond,  and  near  said  bridle-way,  exhumed  a  human 
skeleton.  The  skull,  the  bones  of  the  arms  and  legs,  and  some  other 
large  bones,  were  not  much  decayed ;  remnants  of  smaller  bones,  locks 
of  hair,  and  even  what  appeared  to  be  bits  of  woollen  cloth,  were  also 
found.  The  skeleton  was  found  in  a  sitting  or  doubled-up  posture,  as 
if  crowded  into  a  round  hole,  feet  foremost,  the  skull  about  a  foot  be- 
low the  surface  of  the  ground. 

It  was  supposed  that  these  were  the  remains  of  Thomas  Sweetser 
aforesaid. 

The  following  persons  were  this  year  "  warned  out  of  town,"  viz . :  — 
William  Deadman  and  wife  Mary,  and  children,  Mary,  Nancy,  Wil- 
liam and  Lydia,  from  Salem ;  Dea.  Daniel  Green  and  wife  Ruth,  and 
children,  Ruth,  Abigail,  Rhoda,  Polly,  and  Charles,  from  Stoneham  ; 
Daniel  Green,  Jr.,  and  wife  Sally,  and  children,  Daniel  and  Ezra,  also 
from  Stoneham  ;  John  Sweetser  and  wife  Elizabeth,  and  children,  John 
and  Elizabeth,  from  Lynn ;  Jonathan  Pratt,  Joseph  Cheever,  Ezra  and 
Moses  Sweetser,  all  of  Lynn  ;  and  John  Hart,  physician,  of  Ipswich, 
with  wife  Mary,  and  children,  Polly,  Abraham,  John,  William,  Sally, 
and  a  child. 

1791.  — Town  voted  "not  to  raise  any  money  to  hire  School  Dames." 
Rev.  Peter  Sanborn  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Third  or  West  Parish. 
West  Parish  voted  to   sing  Watts'  hymns,   instead   of  Gates   and 

Brady's. 

1792.  —  The  cause  of  education  seemed  to  take  a  start  onward  this 
year. 

The  appropriation  for  schools  was  raised  from  £80  in  1791  to  .£150 
in  1792  ;  and  a  regular  school  committee  of  nine  members  was  chosen 
for  the  first  time  ;  but  lest  the  committee  should  have  too  much  power, 
it  was  voted  that  the  Selectmen  should  hire  and  pay  the  schoolmasters. 
And,  notwithstanding  the  vote  in  1791,  female  teachers  began  to  be 
employed. 

Town  voted  that  no  person  coming  from  any  place  infected  with  the 
small-pox  shall  pass  the  smoke-house  without  being  smoked ;  that  no 
person,  not  an  inhabitant  of  this  town,  shall  have  the  small-pox  in  this 


192 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


town;  and  that  those  persons  who  wish  to  have  the -small-pox  (by  in- 
oculation) be  indulged  the  privilege  of  two  remote  houses  in  the  First 
Parish  for  that  purpose,  for  thirty  days  from  this  date  ;  they  being  at  all 
the  expense  thereof.  These  houses  were  in  Greenwood,  one  on  Oak 
Street,  and  the  other  near  the  former  residence  of  Judge  Nash,  where 
many  went  and  had  the  disease  by  inoculation,  vaccination  not  being 
then  practised. 

This  year,  John  Walton,  from  Cambridge,  kept  the  village  school  in 
the  First  Parish.  He  was  a  relative  of  the  Reading  Waltons,  was  born 
in  Cambridge  in  1770,  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1791,  studied  medi- 
cine, and  settled  as  a  physician  in  Pepperell,  where  he  practised  his 
profession  above  sixty  years.  He  died  1862,  aged  92  years. 

He  was  much  respected  by  the  people  of  the  town  of  which  he  was 
so  long  a  resident.  Was  a  deacon  in  the  Unitarian  Church,  but,  it  is 
said,  never  held  a  political  office. 

1794. — West 'Parish  voted  that  a  stove  might  be  put  up  in  their 
meeting-house,  if  private  individuals  will  be  at  the  expense  thereof. 

J795-  —  This  year,  there  was  a  civic  feast  in  the  South  Parish  in 
honor  of  French  victories.  An  elm-tree  was  planted  at  the  same  time 
upon  the  Common,  amid  much  ceremony,  called  the  Liberty  Tree ;  it 
stood  on  the  westerly  side  of  Cann's  Pond.  It  was  soon  after  cut  down 
by  an  opposing  partisan.  This  tree  was  soon  succeeded  by  a  "  Liberty 
Pole,"  a  tall,  handsome  spire,  that  stood  on  the  easterly  side  of  said 
pond,  near  the  present  dwelling  of  Andrew  Young,  from  whose  main- 
top, on  training  days  and  other  holidays,  the  starry  flag  was  unfurled. 
This  pole  was  blown  down  on  the  cold  Friday  of  1810. 

1796.  —  The  West  Parish  voted  to  build  a  school-house,  to  be  lo- 
cated near  the  meeting-house.  The  new  High  School-house,  just  built, 
occupies  nearly  the  same  site. 

1798. —  The  Baptist  Society  in  the  First  Parish  was  organized. 
The  Mount  Moriah  Lodge  of  Freemasons  was  constituted. 

1799.  — The  Baptist  Society  petitioned  the  First  Parish  for  liberty  to 
hold  religious  meetings  in  the  Centre  School-house,  when  the  same  is 
not  in  use,  and  obligating  themselves  to  pay  all  damages.  This  request 
was  not  granted.  Whereupon  said  society  chose  a  committee  to  pro- 
cure a  quarter  acre  of  land  of  Mr.  Joseph  Gould,  on  which  to  locate  a 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


193 


meeting-house,  and  ordered  that  its  members  should  keep  this  vote  a 
secret,  upon  their  honor,  until  a  deed  thereof  is  obtained. 

1800. — The  first  meeting-house  of  the  Baptist  Society  in  the  South 
Parish  was  erected  this  year.  It  stood  upon  the  lot  of  land  on  Salem 
Street,  on  which  the  dwelling-house  now  occupied  by  Sylvanus  Clark  at 
present  stands ;  was  38  feet  by  34,  with  a  porch  outside,  and  a  gallery 
inside. 

On  the  occasion  of  erecting  the  frame,  the  society  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  provide  for  the  workmen  "good  Beef,  well  baked,  Potatoes, 
Bread  and  Cheese,  Cider  and  Grog,  and  enough  of  each." 

The  house  was  dedicated  October  22,  and  Thomas  Baldwin,  D.  D., 
of  Boston,  preached  on  the  occasion. 

1801.  —  Rev.  Ebenezer  Nelson,  ot  Middleborough,  commenced 
preaching  for  said  Baptist  Society. 


REV.  CALEB    PRENTISS. 

1803.  —  Rev.  Caleb  Prentiss,  seventh  minister  of  the  First  Church 
and  Parish,  died  February  yth,  in  the  thirty-fourth  year  of  his  ministry, 
and  fifty-seventh  of  his  age.  He  was  a  native  of  Cambridge,  son  of 
Caleb  and  Lydia  (Whittemore),  grandson  of  Dea.  Henry  and  Eliza- 
beth (Rand),  great-grandson  of  Solomon  and  Hepzi.  (Dunn  or  Dun- 
ton),  and  great-great-grandson  of  Henry  and  Joane,  from  England,  all 
of  Cambridge,  the  first  Henry  having  settled  there  before  1640. 
25 


194 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Rev.  Caleb  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in   1765;   ordained  minister  of 

the  First  Church  and  Parish  in  Reading  in  1769;    married  January  i, 

1771,  to  Pamela,  dau.  of  Rev.  John  Mellen,  of  Sterling,  by  his  wife 

Rebecca  (Prentiss)  Mellen.     Children:  — 

Caleb,  b.  1771;  settled  in  Paris,  Me.;  trader  and  farmer;  deacon; 
d.  1838,  aged  67,  leaving  numerous  descendants. 

THOMAS  MELLEN,  b.  1773  ;  resided  in  Livermore,  Me.,  as  a  farmer;  re- 
moved to  Portland,  became  a  teacher  and  postmaster ;  removed 
to  Lexington,  Ky.,  and  there  practised  law,  but  died  a  teacher; 
married  there,  had  four  or  five  children  ;  died  in  1823. 

CHARLES,  b.  1774 ;  grad.  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1795  with  high  honor ;  settled 
in  Leominster  ;  established  a  newspaper ;  wrote  poetry ;  mar- 
ried a  dau.  of  Rev.  Francis  Gardner ;  failed  in  business ; 
removed  to  Washington ;  was  editor  of  the  Washington  "  Federal- 
ist and  Anti-Republican  " ;  afterwards  editor  at  Richmond,  Va., 
and  stenographer  in  Congress.  He  wrote  the  life  of  Gen. 
Eaton,  the  hero  of  Tripoli,  and  published  a  volume  of  his  own 
Essays  and  Poems.  He  died  at  Brimfield,  Mass.,  in  1820.  He 
had  three  children,  who  are  all  deceased. 

PAMELA,  b.  1776;  m.  1799,  Capt.  John  Orne,  of  Lynnfield.  She  died 
of  consumption  in  1810.  Of  her  six  children,  the  oldest,  Mrs. 
Starr,  only  is  living. 


HON.  JOHN    PRENTISS. 

JOHN,  b.  1778;  settled  in  Keene,  N.  H.,  in  1799;  m.  a  dau.  of  Gen. 
Geo.   Aldrich,  of  Westmoreland ;  established  the  New  Hamp- 
shire "  Sentinel,"  now  in  its  seventieth  volume  ;  left  business  in 
1848;   visited  Europe  in   1850;    has  been  Representative  and 
.  Senator  in  the  Legislature,  and  died  at  Keene,  N.  H.,  June  6, 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


19$ 


1873,  aged  95  years  2   months   16  days.     Had  eight  children 

of  whom  three  are  living. 
HENRY,  b.  1779  ;  settled  in  Paris,  Me.,  a  farmer;  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Dr. 

John  Hart,  of  Reading;  had  nine  children;   died  1843,  leaving 

numerous  descendants. 
SOPHIA,  b.  1782  ;  d.  1807,  of  consumption ;  was  a  young  lady  of  great 

intelligence,  amiability,  and  worth.     She  was  a  writer  of  much 

promise.     The  following  poem  is  from  her  pen : — 

ADIEU   TO   READING. 

"  By  the  last  beams  of  parting  day, 
Let  me  this  charming  scene  survey ; 
Trace  every  spot  I  love  so  well, 
The  lofty  tree,  the  lowly  dell, 
Dear  lovely  landscape,  now  adieu, 
When  distant,  I  will  think  on  you. 

The  enraptur'd  eye  beholds  around, 
Here  verdant  plains,  there  rising  ground  ; 
The  flowery  field,  the  fleecy  fold, 
The  mountain  tipp'd  with  blue  and  gold ; 
Oft  fancy  shall  these  haunts  pursue, 
And  oft,  though  distant,  dwell  on  you. 

The  village  church  first  meets  my  eyes, 
And  seems  aspiring  to  the  skies ; 
There  the  beloved  Pastor  taught 
Each  truth  sublime,  each  nobler  thought ; 
Taught  us  a  brighter  world  to  view, 
When  distant  far  I  '11  think  on  you. 

The  humble  school-house  next  appears, 
Where  sweetly  pass'd  my  early  years ; 
,  There  knowledge  first,  with  pleasing  art, 

Convey'd  her  treasures  to  my  heart ; 
Then,  while  that  heart 's  to  virtue  true, 
With  pleasure,  I  will  think  on  you. 

Behold  the  venerable  roof, 

Where  I  have  felt  each  tender  proof 

Of  love  paternal  and  sincere, 

Its  pleasing  smile  or  anxious  tear;  — 

Ah  !  happy  days!  how  fast  ye  flew, 

Yet  will  I  often  think  on  you. 

The  ancient  Elm,  that  arches  o'er 
The  cherries  shading  it  before  ; 
The  garden,  with  its  vine-wrought  bower, 
Where  pass'd  the  gay  or  serious  hour, 
When  little  of  the  world  I  knew, — 
I  '11  quit  that  world  to  think  on  you. 


196  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

The  fields  of  cultivated  land, 
The  orchard  planted  by  that  hand 
Which,  in  the  dust,  is  mould'ring  laid, 
Now  yields  its  blossoms,  fruit  and  shade ; 
'T  was  from  his  fostering  care  ye  grew, 
And  I  shall  love  to  think  on  you. 

Fair  Lake  !  how  oft  I  've  wandered  o'er 
Thy  grassy  banks  and  pebbled  shore, 
While  on  thy  surface  sunbeams  played, 
And  distant  trees,  in  lengthen'd  shade, 
Met  the  mild  sky's  ethereal  blue. 
When  can  I  cease  to  think  on  you  ! 

See  the  calm  mansions  of  the  dead, 
Where  some  lov'd  friends  are  peaceful  laid ; 
Long  may'st  thou  be  with  rev'rence  view'd, 
•       And  thy  green  turf  with  tears  bedew'd, 
Till  I  shall  sleep  in  silence,  too, 
And  can  no  longer  think  of  you." 

CLARISSA,  b.  1784;  m.  1805,  Benjamin  Johnson,  of  Boston;  had  three 
children  (one  of  whom,  Benjamin,  is  now  living),  and  d.  1813. 

WILLIAM,  b.  1786;  died  of  consumption  1806. 

GEORGE,  b.  1787,  and  d.  1789. 

LYDIA,  b.  1790;  m.  1821,  Rev.  Wm.  Frothingham,  of  Belfast,  Me.  ;  had 
four  children  (of  whom  two  daughters  are  still  living),  and  d. 

1855- 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  b.  1792;  settled  in  Wiscasset,  Me. ;  afterwards 
in  New  York,  editor  (with  Prof.  Carter)  of  the  "  New  York  States- 
man." Died  at  Keene,  N.  H.,  1830. 

REBECCA,  b.  1794;  resided  in  Belfast,   Me.,  and  was  unmarried.     In 
the  destruction  of  a  hotel  in  Belfast,  by  fire,  in  1873,  Miss  Pren- 
tiss  was  burned  to  death. 
The  character  of  Rev.  Mr.  Prentiss  is  thus  delineated  by  one  who 

knew  him  well,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stone,  of  North  Reading :  — 

"  Meekness  of  wisdom,  humbleness  of  mind,  stability  in  friendship,  calmness  in 
conduct,  candor  in  judging  of  others,  sincerity  in  his  professions,  fidelity  in  discharg- 
ing the  various  duties  of  life,  and  hospitality  to  his  numerous  acquaintances,  were 
prominent  features  in  his  character.  His  sermons  were  rational,  evangelical  and 
practical.  He  addressed  his  Maker  in  prayer  with  great  reverence,  solemnity  and 
devotion.  On  particular  occasions,  his  thoughts  and  expressions  were  peculiarly 
appropriate  and  engaging.  In  discharging  the  duties  of  the  pastoral  office,  he  was 
diligent  and  faithful.  To  preserve  and  promote  peace  and  harmony  in  his  society,  and 
to  build  it  up  in  the  most  holy  faith,  were  constantly  objects  of  his  endeavors.  And 
he  enforced  the  Christian  duties,  which  he  inculcated  upon  others,  by  living  himself 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  197 

soberly,  righteously,  and  piously.  He  was  a  kind  husband,  an  affectionate  parent, 
a  steady  friend,  an  agreeable  companion,  a  good  man,  and  a  faithful  minister  of 
Christ." 

As  a  divine,  Mr.  Prentiss  was  of  the  school  called  in  his  day  "  Ar- 
minian."  Several  of  his  sermons,  on  different  occasions,  were  printed, 
and  have  come  down  to  us.  Some  extracts  therefrom  will  show,  to 
some  extent,  his  talent  as  a  composer,  his  sentiments  as  a  divine,  and 
his  style  as  a  writer. 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  sermon  delivered  in  his  own  desk  in 
1790,  in  opposition  to  the  doctrine  of  "Election  and  Reprobation":  — 

"  We  may  certainly  infer  from  the  truth  and  faithfulness  of  God  that,  when  sinners 
are  called  of  God  unto  the  fellowship  of  his  son  Jesus  Christ,  and  have  offers  made  to 
them  of  pardon  and  salvation,  and  promises  of  life  and  favor,  if  they  comply  with  the 
requisitions  of  the  gospel,  and  are  threatened  with  enhanced  punishment  if  they  do 
not  comply ;  I  say,  we  may  infer  that  there  is  a  sufficiency  of  grace  and  help  pro- 
vided for,  and  given  to  them,  to  enable  them  to  conform  to  and  obey  the  Gospel ;  and 
therefore,  if  sinners  perish,  under  the  light  of  the  Gospel,  it  is  not  because  it  is  the 
sovereign  will  and  fatal  decree  of  God  that  they  should  perish  ;  but  it 's  wholly  their 
own  fault,  because  they  neglect  to  improve  their  faculties,  talents  and  privileges,  and 
abuse  the  grace  and  mercy  of  the  Lord,  their  God.  The  infinitely  wise  and  holy,  just 
and  good  God  does  not  require  impossibilities  of  his  creatures,  nor  command  them  to 
do  what  they  are  not  capable  of  doing,  with  the  help  which  he  offers  and  gives.  We 
cannot  suppose  that  the  God  of  truth  and  sincerity  would  call  upon,  invite  and  com- 
mand sinners  to  repent,  and  offer  them  mercy,  and  threaten  their  disobedience  with 
punishment,  if,  at  the  same  time,  they  were  under  an  absolute,  fatal  necessity  of  per- 
ishing by  his  own  eternal,  unchangeable  decree,  or  if  they  could  not  repent  without 
the  help  of  his  special  grace,  which  he  eternally  determined  never  to  give  them.  Such 
offers  would  be  false  and  deceitful,  and  only  an  insult  to  the  wretched.  I  therefore 
think  it  is  certain,  from  the  truth  and  other  perfections  of  God,  and  from  his  holy 
word,  that  the  future,  everlasting  state  of  men  was  not  eternally  and  immutably  fixed 
and  determined  by  God,  by  an  absolute,  unconditional,  efficient  decree  of  necessity 
and  fatality ;  and  that  the  secret  will  of  God  is  not  contrary  to  his  revealed  word  and 
will,  and  that  those  who  perish  under  the  grace  and  calls  of  the  Gospel  are  the  blame- 
able  cause  of  their  own  destruction,  there  being  a  sufficiency  of  grace  provided  in 
Christ  for  their  salvation." 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  his  address  before  the  "  Mount 
Moriah  Lodge,"  on  St.  John's  day,  June  24,  1799,  at  Reading  :  — 

"  May  the  members  of  Mount  Moriah  Lodge,  in  imitation  of  Solomon,  who,  on  this 
mount,  built  a  temple  for  God,  prove  themselves  to  be  good  workmen  in  the  service 
of  God,  who  need  not  to  be  ashamed.  May  your  works  be  planned  with  wisdom  and 
skill,  and  in  due  proportions.  May  your  foundations  be  laid  firm  and  strong,  on  the 
basis  of  truth  and  righteousness.  May  your  buildings  display  wisdom,  strength  and 
beauty,  and  be  cemented  with  love.  May  they  be  ornamental,  useful  and  durable.  May 
you  ever  act  upon  the  square  of  equity  ;  keep  within  the  compass  of  reason  ;  plumb 
your  actions  with  the  weight  of  conscience ;  walk  perpendicularly  upright  in  the  line  of 


1 98  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

duty,  and  level  your  passions  and  affections  to  the  rules  of  sobriety  and  virtue.  May 
your  social  interviews  be  attended  with  harmony  and  improvement.  May  your  social 
joys  be  temperate,  pure  and  refined.  May  your  charities  make  you  rich  towards  God, 
and  secure  your  treasures  in  heaven.  May  you  be  built  up  holy  temples  to  the  living 
God,  and  show  forth  his  praise.  May  you  finally  be  introduced  to  the  temple  of  God 
above,  and  be  members  of  that  holy  society  of  brethren  and  friends,  where  light,  love, 
peace  and  joy  shall  reign  in  perfection  ;  where  your  labors  shall  be  your  pleasures, 
and  your  existence  one  eternal  festival  of  joy  and  praise.  And  to  the  audience  at 
large  let  me  say,  that  if  we  cannot  all  be  Masons,  yet  we  may  all  be  Christians.  This 
society  (the  Christian)  embraces  all  ranks  and  degrees,  and  does  not  exclude  either 
sex.  We  are  all  invited  by  God  to  become  members  of  it  It  is  both  ancient  and 
honorable.  The  son  of  God  is  its  head  and  Grand  Master ;  its  duties  are  pleasant ; 
its  privileges  are  great ;  its  festivals  are  joyous  ;  and  its  rewards  will  be  eternal  bliss." 

The  following  extracts  from  letters  received  from  Hon.  John  Pren- 
tiss,  son  of  Rev.  Caleb,  furnish  a  very  pleasant  view  of  the  domestic 
character  and  home-life  of  their  former  pastor ;  with  other  interesting 
reminiscences :  — 

"  It  is  natural  and  so  pardonable  that  I  should  first  speak  of  my  father,  my  beloved 
parent,  who  was  for  nearly  thirty  years  the  sole  minister  of  the  First  Parish  (now 
Wakefield),  the  Rev.  Caleb  Prentiss,  who  died  in  February,  1803.  To  my  fond  recol- 
lection, but  few  have  approached  nearer  to  the  perfect  Christian.  I  need  but  look 
upon  his  portrait  (with  that  of  my  mother,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Mellen, 
of  Lancaster,  honored  in  her  memory),  ever  before  me  in  my  sitting-room,  to  recall  to 
mind  his  Christian  and  parental  instruction,  and  to  endorse  in  full  the  character  given 
him  by  his  ever  devoted  friend  and  senior,  the  Rev.  Eliab  Stone,  in  his  funeral  dis- 
course, from  the  text,  '  An  Israelite  indeed ' ;  (see  extracts  from  said  discourse 
already  given).  My  father's  disposition  was  eminently  social ;  he  was  the  friend  of  all 
innocent  enjoyments  ;  he  delighted  in  an  occasional  fishing  excursion  ;  and  I  once 
skated  with  him  nearly  the  whole  length  of  the  Pond,  as  he  wished  to  land  at  a  Swamp 
estate  on  the  northwest  coast  Many  a  game  of  draughts  (checkers)  did  he  enjoy 
with  his  friend  and  family  physician,  Dr.  Hay. 

"  The  annual  gathering  of  a  few  more  intimate  families  is  well  remembered,  as  well 
as  the  Thanksgiving,  made  more  happy  by  the  bounties,  which  never  failed ;  I  never 
knew  him  to  show  anger  ;  though  on  one  or  two  occasions  he  was  sadly  tried  by  an 
inimical  person,  clothed  with  the  power  of  a  Hog-reeve,  who  seemed  to  take  delight  in 
impounding  his  cows,  when  lingering  a  few  moments  outside  the  gate. 

"  He  was  a  revolutionary  whig  and  patriot,  as  were  most  of  the  clergy  in  that  day. 
He  showed  his  faith  by  his  works.  On  the  memorable  ipth  of  April,  1775,  the  train- 
band of  the  First  Parish  were,  by  express,  ordered  to  Lexington,  and  they  departed  very 
early.  About  eight  o'clock,  A.  M.,  alarm  guns  were  fired,  and  the  '  alarm  list '  as- 
sembled. These  my  father  accompanied  to  the  scene  of  action  with  his  musket,  and 
proceeded  until  they  met  the  enemy  returning  from  Concord.  Here  he  became  the 
soldier,  and,  as  opportunity  offered,  for  many  miles,  assisted  in  harassing  the  retreat- 
ing enemy.  I  find,  also,  the  following  memorandum,  under  date  of  February  27th,  of 
the  same  year  :  'At  about  three  o'clock  A.  M.  an  alarm  was  made,  the  drums  beat  to 
arms,  the  bell  was  rung,  and  alarm  guns  were  fired  in  the  Parish.  The  report  was 
that  a  regiment  of  the  king's  troops  had  landed  at  Marblehead,  and  marched  to  Sa- 
lem to  take  some  cannon  there,  and  that  the  people  were  defending  the  cannon,  and 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 

wanted  assistance.  The  people  were  mustered,  and  before  daylight  were  upon  the 
march  toward  Salem.  Having  marched  about  five  miles,  we  were  informed  by  the 
Lynn  End  company,  who  were  returning,  that  the  Regulars  were  retreated  without 
the  cannon,  embarked  and  set  sail.  Upon  which  we  returned.  On  our  return  we 
met  the  West  Parish  Company  and  the  Stoneham  Company,  all  which,  joining  to- 
gether, returned  in  order  to  this  parish,  and  went  through  the  military  exercise.  The 
whole  were  more  than  two  hundred.' 

"  I  have  a  sermon,  preached  by  my  father,  on  the  occasion  of  several  recruits  being 
about  to  depart  for  the  army,  full  of  excellent  advice  and  encouragement,  and  imbib- 
ing the  most  patriotic  sentiments. 

"  From  the  date  of  his  settlement  in  1769  he  kept  almost  a  daily  memorandum  of 
public  events,  as  well  as  occurrences  in  his  parish,  and  in  his  own  family.  I  have 
most  of  these  in  my  possession,  in  his  family  almanac  for  more  than  thirty  years,  the 
calendar  pages  being  interleaved  for  the  purpose.  I  find  much  to  amuse  that  is  per- 
sonal, occasionally  something  illustrative  of  the  age,  though  but  little  deserving  a  place 
in  history.  Some  of  the  memoranda  are  serious  reflections,  —  as  gratitude  at  the  birth 
of  a  child,  and  many,  like  some  of  the  records  of  the  Old  Testament,  true  to  the  letter, 
but  not  exactly  conformable  to  the  taste  of  the  present  day.  His  reflections  at  my 
own  birth  and  baptism,  on  stumbling  upon  them  many  years  after  his  death,  made  an 
impression  on  my  own  mind  which  was  never  effaced ;  it  proved,  I  verily  believe,  to 
be  that  '  word  in  season,'  so  often  efficacious  in  leading  the  thoughts,  too  much  en- 
grossed by  the  world,  to  the  '  one  thing  needful.' 

"Theje  is  an  amusing  memorandum  in  his  almanac  of  1771  of  the  parade  of  his 
parishioners,  on  the  occasion  of  his  marriage  ;  they  met  him  at  Lexington,  twenty- 
four  of  the  parish,  and  were  joined  by  many  more  at  Woburn,  '  five  chaises  and  thirty- 
two  horses  ' ;  an  elegant  entertainment  was  provided  ;  neighboring  ministers  were 
present ;  a  merry  evening,  etc. 

"  The  habit  of  keeping  a  strict  account  of  receipts  and  expenditures  was  absolutely 
necessary  with  the  .£80  salary.  Hence  the  daily  memoranda,  with  the  advantage  of 
dates  in  recalling  events.  I  find  a  portion,  for  instance,  of  his  entries  of  '  Presents 
received  since  my  ordination,'  up  to  1787,  filling  thirty  or  forty  pages  of  close  manu- 
script ;  from  Capt  Walton's,  a  '  fine  shirt  for  wedding  ' ;  and  in  the  next  month  no  less 
than  eleven  entries  of  a  '  leg  of  pork,'  and '  a  live  Pig  by  the  Parish,  75  Ibs.'  The  value 
of  the  presents  in  £  s.  d.  was  annexed. 

In  1780  and  "81,  during  the  depreciation  of  the  currency,  Dea.  Smith  was  credited 
a  bushel  of  Indian  meal,  £1$  ;  and  Capt.  Walton,  a  leg  of  veal,  £13  los. 

"  In  1775,  the  parish  voted  to  sing  '  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns  for  the  future.'  I 
shall  never  forget  hearing,  when  a  child,  the  solemn  tone  of  the  Rev.  (then  a  deacon 
of  my  father's  church)  Jacob  Emerson,  with  his  large  white  wig,  who  read  the  hymn, 
line  by  line ;  for,  although  the  parish  voted  to  use  Watts'  psalms  and  hymns,  it  would 
appear  that  the  singers,  with  Mr.  Jeremiah  Brown,  who  officiated  as  chorister  some 
forty  years,  I  believe,  had  no  copies.  Most  of  the  clergy,  at  the  close  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, wore  wigs  (some  of  enormous  size)  and  cocked  hats,  on  all  special  occasions, 
mingling  in  the  youthful  mind  awe  with  respect 

"  Aug.  13,  1775,  the  congregation  voted  to  have  the  scriptures  read  publicly  for 
the  future  on  the  Sabbath  ;  and  August  zoth,  I  '  began  to  read  the  scriptures  in 
public.' 

"  About  this  period,  Capt.  Tho.  Green  (who  was  the  only  miller  in  the  parish,  and 
where  by  law  we  were  permitted  to  catch  alewives  every  other  day),  was  not  so  well 
satisfied  as  the  parish  generally  with  the  doctrines  preached ;  he  particularly  objected 


200  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

o  preaching  from  a  black  pasteboard  case;  sa'd  a  minister  should  preach  from  the 
bible,  and  he  accordingly  made  a  present  of  a  handsome  I2mo.  bible,  with  notes,  bound 
in  black.  This  bible  was  ever  after  taken  to  church,  the  sermon  confined  in  the 
centre. 

."  It  was  expected  that  the  minister's  family  should  set  a  good  example  of  going  to 
church.  And  so,  in  good  weather,  the  family  were  rigged  in  their  best.  I  well 
remember  the  formidable  array  of  the  Parson's  family  :  The  vicar  on  the  right,  then 
the  mother  and  children,  often  half  a  dozen  and  more,  according  to  their  ages,  —  a 
single  platoon,  receding,  in  size  and  height,  from  right  to  left. 

'1778,  April  15. — This  evening  I  agreed  with  '  Betty' (the  'help')  to  tarry  with 
us  another  year.  I  am  to  givelier  .£13  6s.  &/.  and  the  small-pox. 

"  1778,  June  15.  —  Went  a  fishing  on  the  Pond  with  Rev.  Mr.  Haven." 

"  1782,  May  7.  —  I  prayed  with  my  friend,  Rev.  Mr.  Haven  (of  the  West  Parish), 
this  morning,  and  was  with  him  when  he  died,  at  10  A.  M.,  of  consumption.  He  died 
in  peace  ;  may  I  be  prepared  to  follow,"  etc. 

"  A  very  particular  account  was  kept  of  everything  received  and  everything  ex- 
pended, so  as  to  (keep  within  his  scanty  income ;  yet  '  he  was  passing  rich,  with 
eighty  pounds  a  year  ?  It  would  be  deemed  a  mystery  in  our  day  how  he  could  get 
through  life,  bringing  up  twelve  of  thirteen  children,  eight  boys  and  five  girls,  with  an 
ever  hospitable  mansion,  on  a  salary  of  ^80  a  year,  lawful  money,  and  sometimes  in  a 
depreciated  currency.  But,  with  strict  economy,  and  the  untiring  managing  and  plan- 
ning of  my  excellent  and  devoted  mother,  minister  farming,  and  taking  young  men  to 
prepare  for  college,  he  left  an  estate  which,  twenty  years  after,  netted  some  $8,000  or 
$9,000.  But  much  must  be  attributed  to  the  rise  of  real  estate.  Though  I  left  the 
parish  in  1792  (visiting  it  almost  every  year  since),  my  recollections  go  back  to  1783, 
when  the  train-band  met,  and  called  at  our  house  to  congratulate  the  minister  on  the 
news  of  Peace.  The  house  was  full  of  soldiers  and  guns,  for  my  father  was  a  most 
decided  whig,  having  taken  part  with  the  Alarm  List,  in  pursuing  the  Regulars,  after 
the  scenes  at  Lexington  and  Concord,  to  Charlestown  ;  and  as  also  appears  by  one  of 
his  manuscript  sermons  preached  to  the  new  recruits,  who  were  to  march  the  next  day 
to  join  the  army. 

"  I  well  remember  the  state  of  theological  opinions  in  the  vicinity  in  1790  to  1795, 
and  so  on.  The  '  Association  of  Ministers '  were  called  '  moderate  Calvinists,'  but 
inclining  strongly  to  the  views  of  Arminius,  and  consisted,  with  perhaps  others,  of 
Rev.  Messrs.  Smith,  of  Middleton  (a  native  of  Reading) ;  Wadsworth,  of  Danvers  ; 
Roby,  of  Lynn  ;  Stone,  of  the  North  Parish  ;  French,  of  Andover  ;  Morrill,  of  Wil- 
mington ;  Marrett,  of  Burlington ;  Symms,  of  North  Andover  ;  Stearns,  of  Bedford  ; 
and  Cummings,  of  Billerica. 

"  About  the  year  1790  or  '91,  then  twelve  years  of  age,  I  posted  on  foot  to  the  ordi- 
nation, at  the  West  Parish,  of  Rev.  Mr.  Sanborn.  Mr.  S.  was  fresh  from  the  late  Dr. 
Emmons'  school,  and  entertained  views  materially  differing  from  those  of  most  of  the 
members  of  the  '  Association.'  The  Council  were  in  debate  until  very  late  in  the  ' 
afternoon  ;  and  then  most,  or  all,  of  the  public  services  were  performed  by  the  gentle- 
men especially  invited  by  the  Pastor.  We  may  well  conclude  that  Arminius  and 
Whitby  were  arrayed  against  Calvin,  Hopkins,  and  Emmons.  Many  theological  con- 
tests were  had;  and  yet  the  Westminster  Catechism  was  used  by  all,  —  the  only  one 
in  existence.  That  generation  of  excellent  men  has  passed  away,  with  the  formidable 
•wigs  and  cocked  hats,  and  other  controversies  have  arisen. 

"  Every  pond,  rock,  hill,  valley  and  stream  is  still  familiar  to  my  recollection.     But 
the  great  pond — '  the  remarkable  Lake,  as  it  was  described  in  a  very  '  antient  history, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  2OI 

and  shown  on  one  of  the  rudest  maps  imaginable  —  was  the  glory  of  the  parish,  for 
bathing,  fishing,  boating  and  skating,  as  it  must  be  at  this  day. 

"  Then  the  one  old  church,  w  th  the  Stocks  behind  it  (and  I  remember,  perhaps,  the 
last  victim),  the  old  red  school-house  (that  stood  just  north  of  the  ancient  parsonage), 
with  Master  Downs,  my  first  teacher,  succeeded  by  Masters  Walton,  Swain,  and  otherfc  ; 
the  blacksmith's  shop  on  the  Common,  Ken's  Pond  in  the  centre,  and  the  venerable 
oaks  and  elms." 

This  year,  the  town  directed  the  Selectmen  to  oppose  all  turnpike 
roads  going  through  the  town. 

1804.  —  The  Baptist  Church,  of  the  South  Parish,  was  constituted,  and 
Rev.  Ebenezer  Nelson  accepted  an  invitation  to  become  its  pastor. 

The  dwelling-house  of  Samuel  Wiley,  that  stood  at  the  corner  of  Main 
and  Albion  Streets,  was  burned. 

1805.  —  This  year,  the  town  chose  a  committee,  who  were  directed  to 
use  their  influence  that  the  Turnpike  Road  shall  be  made  from  Essex 
Turnpike  to  Maiden  Bridge. 

1807.  —  This  year,  an  action  at  law,  which  had  been  brought  by  the 
Baptist  Society  of  the  South  Parish  against  the  town  of  Lynnfield,  for 
the  recovery  of  certain  ministerial  taxes  which  had  been  collected  by 
Lynnfield  of  people  living  in  Lynnfield,  but  who  had  joined  said  Baptist 
Society,  was  decided  against  Lynnfield. 

July  4.  —  Rev.  John  Mellen  died  in  this  town.  Mr.  Mellen  was  born 
1722,  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1741,  ordained  at  Sterling,  Ms.,  1744, 
and  after  a  long  service  in  the  ministry  he  retired,  in  his  old  age,  to 
spend  the  evening  of  his  life  with  his  daughter,  who  was  the  wife  and 
widow  of  Rev.  Caleb  Prentiss,  of  this  town. 

Three  sons  of  Mr.  Mellen  graduated  at  Har.  Coll. :  John,  who  became 
minister  of  Barnstable  ;  Henry,  a  lawyer,  at  Dover,  N.  H. ;  and  Pre*- 
tiss,  who  was  Senator  in  Congress,  and  Chief-Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Maine. 

This  year,  the  town  confirmed  to  each  parish  the  common  land  lying 
within  the  limits  of  each,  as  was  given  them  in  the  division  made  in 
1771. 

1808.  —  Adam  Flint  and  Nehemiah  Hart  were  drowned  in  Martin's 
Pond. 

1809.  —  A  hearse-house  was  built,  and  a  hearse  purchased  for  the 
First  Parish. 

26 


202  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

1810. — This  year,  January  igth,  the  liberty  pole  on  the  Common 
was  blown  down.  The1  day  was  long  after  remembered  as  the  "  Cold 
Friday." 

.March  5.  — Dr.  John  Hart,  Jr.,  son  of  the  Hon.  John  Hart,  who  had 
recently  settled  in  the  West  Parish,  with  favorable  prospects,  died  of 
consumption,  aged  25. 

'  1"'    i  '  ?(  "•/•'!'' 

1811. —  The  people  of  the  South  Parish,  this  year,  agitated  in  earnest 
the  subject  of  being  incorporated  as  a  distinct  town. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  KEADfNG. 


203 


CHAPTER    IV. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY. 

THE  Town  of  Reading,  as  has  been  said,  was  incorporated  in  1644, 
and  a  church  was  organized  in  the  same  or  next  succeeding  year.  It 
is  probable,  also,  that  their  first  meeting-house  was  built  at  about  the 
same  time  ;  but  no  record  of  its  erection  has  been  found.  The  town 
records  for  the  first  two  or  three  years  after  the  incorporation,  and 
which  probably  contained  an  account  of  its  building,  are  missing. 


ON£  OF   THE    FIRST  MEETING-HOUSES  ERECTED  IN  READING. 


Tradition  says  it  stood  upon  the  Common,  near  where  is  now  the  east- 
erly end  of  Albion  Street,  and  that  the  first  parsonage  house  occupied 


204 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


very  nearly  the  present  site  of  "  Perkins'  Building,"  that  stands  on  the 
southerly  side  of  said  street,  and  that  the  yards  of  the  meeting-house 
and  parsonage  adjoined. 

The  first  minister  of  Reading  was  Henry  Green,  from  Watertown, 
who  was  ordained  Nov.  5,  1645,  an^  died  Oct.  n,  1648.  (See  further 
particulars  in  List  of  Early  Settlers.)  The  second  minister  of  this  church 
was  Samuel  Haugh,  who  was  ordained  in  1650,  and  died  March  30,  1662. 
(See  his  biography  in  List  of  Early  Settlers.) 

The  third  minister  was  John  Brock,  from  England,  who  was  ordained 
in  Reading,  November,  1666,  and  died  June  10,  1668,  aged  8  years. 
(See  Early  Settlers.) 

Fourth  minister  was  Jonathan  Pierpont,  who  was  ordained  June  26, 
1689,  and  died  June  2,  1709.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

Fifth  minister  was  Richard  Browne,  who  was  ordained  1712,  and  died 
Oct.  29,  1732.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

Sixth  minister  was  William  Hobby,  who  was  ordained  Sept.  i,  1733, 
and  died  June  18,  1765.  (See  notice  of  his  death  under  1765.) 

Seventh  minister  was  Caleb  Prentiss,  who  was  ordained  Oct.  25, 
1769,  and  died  Feb.  7,  1803.  (See  notice  of  his  death  and  character 
under  1803.) 

Eighth  minister  was  Reuben  Emerson,  who  was  installed  1804,  and 
died  1860.  (See  sketch  of  his  character  under  1812.) 

Rev.  Alfred  Emerson  was  born  at  Beverly,  April  5,  1812.  He 
graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1834,  and  was  a  student  at  Andover,  but 
did  not  graduate,  being  called  to  be  a  tutor  at  Yale.  He  was  ordained 
and  installed  as  associate  pastor  with  Rev.  Reuben  Emerson,  Oct. 
15,  1845.  He  was  dismissed  April  3,  1853,  and  accepted  a  professor- 
ship in  Western  Reserve  College,  which  he  held  three  years.  He  was 
subsequently  settled  at  South  Berwick,  Me.,  whence  he  was  called  to 
Fitchburg,  where  he  was  highly  successful  as  pastor  for  several  years. 
He  now  resides  in  Lancaster.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  E.  W. 
Vose,  of  Lancaster,  Oct.  18,  1847. 

Rev.  Joseph  D.  Hull  was  born  at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  Feb.  21, 
1818.  He  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1837,  and  at  the  seminary 
connected  therewith  in  1842.  He  was  ordained  and  settled  in  Say- 
brook  in  1844,  and  was  settled  in  Plymouth,  Conn.,  in  1850,  and  in 
this  place,  as  associate  with  Mr.  Emerson,  Dec.  27,  1853.  He 
was  dismissed  April  14,  1856,  and  became  a  teacher  in  Connecticut, 
and  subsequently  in  New  York  city.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Char- 
lotte L.  Cowles,  of  Farmington,  Conn.,  Dec.  14,  1843. 

Rev.  Joseph  |B.   Johnson  was  born  in  Boston,  Oct.  9,    1825.     He 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  2O5 

was  never  a  member  of  college,  but  graduated  at  Andover  in  1853. 
He  was  ordained  and  installed  over  the  church  at  Plymouth,  and  was 
installed  over  this  church  Aug.  12,  1857.  At  the  end  of  three  years 
he  resigned  and  engaged  in  business.  Returning  to  the  ministry  he 
became  a  pastor  at  Uxbridge,  but,  after  a  few  years,  went  into  business 
again.  He  was  twice  married, — the  second  time  to  Miss  Harriet  B. 
Richmond,  who  died  in  1871. 

Rev.  Charles  R.  Bliss  was  born  in  Longmeadow,  Mass.,  Nov.  5, 
1828.  He  graduated  at  Williams  College  in  1854,  and  at  Andover  in 
1858.  He  was  ordained  and  installed  over  a  Presbyterian  church  in 
Beverly,  N.  J.,  Marches,  1859,  and  became  pastor  of  this  church  May 
22,  1862,  which  office  he  still  retains.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
F.  Smith,  of  North  Andover,  Oct.  15,  1862. 

For  an  account  of  the  meeting-houses  of  the  First  Parish  of  Reading, 
now  Wakefield,  see  Chronological  Sketch.  The  church  that  was 
erected  in  1768  was  remodelled  inside  in  1837,  and  in  1859  was  re- 
moved to  its  present  site,  enlarged  and  entirely  remodelled  outside  and 
inside,  and  made  to  present  the  appearance  which  it  now  exhibits. 

List  of  Deacons  of  the  First  Church  of  Reading* 

Names.  When  Appointed.                            When  Died. 

Zachariah  Fitch,  1645  1662 

John  Person,  1645  1679 

Thomas  Kendall,  1645  1681 

Thomas  Parker,  1645  1683 

William  Cowdrey,  1645  I7l& 

Benjamin  Fitch,  Feb.  15,  1690  1713 

Thomas  Bancroft,  1718 
John  Damon. 

Nathaniel  Lawrence.  • 

Thdmas  Boutwell,  Dec.  31,  1707  1737 

Thomas  Nichols,  Nov.  13,  1712  1737 

John  Pearson,  Nov.  13,  1712 

John  Goodwin,  May  28,    1722  1757 

Francis  Smith,  May  28,  1722  1744 

Raham  Bancroft,  Oct4,i737  1758 

Nathaniel  Stow,  Oct  4,  1737  1737 

Kendall  Parker,  May  i,  1738  1755 

Thomas  Nichols,  2d,  May  r,  1738  1745 

Brown  Emerson,  Aug.  26,  1746  1774 

Jonathan  Temple,  Aug.  26,  1746 

Benjamin  Brown,  April  12,  1753 

Samuel  Bancroft,  Nov.  2,  1758  1782 

John  Smith,  March  17,  1770  1782 

Jacob  Emerson,  May  23, 1774  1811 

John  Batcheller,  May  23,  1774 


206  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY' 

Names.  -  When  Appointed.  When  Died. 

.  Benjamin  Brown,  2d,  Sept  7,  1779  1801 

Ebenezer  Hopkins,  Aug.  2,  1790  1796 

Francis  Smith,  2d 

Thomas  Parker,  2d,  April  25,  1796  1822 

Oliver  Swain,  April  25,  1796 

James  Hartshorn,  Sept.  u,  1803  1824 

Aaron  Bryant,  June  15,  1815  1870 

Ezekiel  Oliver,  Oct  17,  1823  1865 

Benjamin  H.  Eaton,  July  30,  1841 

Benj.  L.  Boardman,  July  30,  1841 

George  R.  Morrison,  July  25,  1860 

Josiah  Norcross,  Jan.  25,  1861  1866 

Cyrus  N.  White,  Feb.  21,  1866 

A.  W.  Chapman,  Feb.  21,  1866 

BAPTIST  SOCIETY  AND  CHURCH  m  SOUTH  READING,  NOW  WAKEFIELD. 

This  society  was  formed  in  June,  1797.  Their  first  meeting-house 
was  erected  in  1800.  The  building  was  38  feet  by  34  feet,  with  gal- 
leries, and  stood  on  Salem  Street,  near  where  Sylvanus  Clark  now  lives. 
Their  first  minister  was  Ebenezer  Nelson,  from  Middleborough,  who 
commenced  preaching  here  in  December,  1801,  and  was  formally 
installed  as  pastor,  Jan.  31,  1804.  On  the  same  day,  the  First  Baptist 
church  was  organized  with  sixty-five  members.  Mr.  Nelson  was 
dismissed,  at  his  own  request,  in  1815,  and  removed  to  Maiden,  where 
he  died  in  1825,  aged  72.  (See  Church  Street  for  further  account.) 

Second  minister  was  Gustavus  Fellows  Davis,  who  was  settled  here 
in  the  spring  of  1818;  was  dismissed,  at  his  own  request,  in  1829; 
removed  to  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  became  pastor  of  First  Baptist  Church 
there  ;  and  died  in  Boston,  while  on  a  visit,  in  September,  1836. 

Mr.  Davis  was  born  in  Boston  in  1797  ;  was  an  orphan  boy,  appren- 
ticed to  a  trade  in  Worcester,  where  he  was  hopefully  converted  to  God 
at  the  age  of  sixteen.  He  became  a  preacher  at  seventeen,  was  or- 
dained at  nineteen,  married  at  twenty,  and  settled  first  at  Preston, 
Conn.,  and  next  at  South  Reading,  1818,  at  the  age  of  twenty.  While 
here,  he  studied  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages  with  zeal  and  success, 
and  received  the  college  degree  of  Master  of  Arts,  and  subsequently 
the  title  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  He  had  naturally  strong  powers  of 
mind,  a  very  tenacious  memory,  a  'rapid  conception,  large  self-posses- 
sion, and  a  ready  utterance.  His  style  of  address  was  simple,  earn- 
est, pointed,  and  laconic,  well  suited  to  interest  a  popular  audience. 
He  had  an  uncommon  aptness  in  employing  and  applying  Scripture, 
in  his  discourses,  to  passing  events.  He  left  several  children,  one  of 


OF\Tf/£  TQWX  QF  KEADWG. 

whom,  Gustavus  F.,  is  president  of  a  bank  in  Hartford,  Conn.  In 
1820,  their  meeting-house  was  removed  from  Salem  Street  to  a  more 
eligible  site  on  Main  Street,  and  enlarged  and  furnished  with  new 
porch  and  cupola.  ,i>m 

In  1822,  died  Lilley  Eaton,,  aged  fifty-four,  nearly,  —  one  of  the 
founders  and  steadfast  friends  of  the  church,  and  who  had  contributed 
most  towards  its  pecuniary  aid.  In  1829,  Mr.  Davis  resigned  the  pas- 
toral office  here,  having  been  here  eleven  years,  preached  here  813 
sermons,  received  to  the  church  106  persons,  solemnized  58  marriages, 
and  officiated  at  51  funerals.  ,  ;j  „;., 

Third  minister  was  Joseph  A.  Warne,  who  was  installed  October, 
1829,  and  was  dismissed  at  his  request  in  October,  1830.  Mr.  Warne 
was  a  native  of  England,  where  he  studied  for  the  ministry.  He  was 
esteemed  an  "able. minister  of  the  New  Testament."  He  afterwards 
became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Brookline,  and  successively  of 
churches  in  Providence  and  Philadelphia.  He  had  been  pastor  of  a 
church  and  instructor  of  theological  students  in  North  Carolina.  He 
was  selected  to  edit  the  Baptist  edition  of  the  "  Comprehensive  Com- 
mentary on  the  Bible." 

In  1831,  died  Naomi  Badger,  wife  of  Benjamin  Badger,  and  daughter 
of  Joseph  Emerson.  She  was  an  original  member  of  the  church,  and 
was  distinguished  through  life  for  her  pious,  circumspect,  and  consistent 
Christian  deportment. 

Fourth  minister  was  James  Huckins,  who  was  ordained  September 
21,  1832,  and  left  in  1833  ;  he  became  pastor  of  a  church  in  Andover, 
and  subsequently  removed  to  Charleston,  S.  C.,  where  he  died  a 
few  years  since.  Mr.  Huckins  was  a'graduate  of  Brown  University  in 
1832.  He  possessed  rather  an  easy  and  pleasant  address ;  and,  as  a 
preacher,  was  more  showy  than  solid,  and  was  not  particularly  notable 
for  strength  of  intellect  or  acquired  knowledge. 

Fifth  minister  was  Isaac  Sawyer,  Jr.,  from  Jay,  N.  Y.,  who  was  in- 
stalled March  26,  1835,  and  left  in  1838.  In  1835  their  meeting-house 
was  destroyed  by  fire.  In  1836  their  second  meeting-house  was  erected, 
48  feet  by  68  feet,  with  a  conference  hall  in  the  basement.  In  1838 
Mr.  Sawyer  resigned  his  pastoral  charge  and  became  pastor  of  a  church 
in  Deerfield,  N.  H.  Mr.  Sawyer  was  a  young  man  who  had  been 
preaching  about  four  years  when  he  came  to  this  place  '  He  embraced 
the  views  of  Mr.  Win.  Miller,  of  New  York,  respecting  the  speedy 
second  coming  of  Christ,  the  close  of  this  dispensation,  and  the  disso- 
lution of  our  globe.  He  was  a  speaker  very  little  confined  to  scholastic 
rules,  either  in  the  composition  or  delivery  of  his  discourses.  His 


208  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

style  of  address,  often  of  bold  and  original  conceptions  and  expres- 
sions, was  frequently  no  less  startling  and  terrific  than  earnest  and 
pathetic. 

Sixth  minister  was  Charles  Miller,  from  Scotland.  He  was  installed 
April,  1838,  and  left  the  same  year  on  account  of  ill-health. 

Seventh  minister  was  Larkin  B.  Cole,  who  was  installed  in  1840,  and 
dismissed  at  his  own  request  in  1842. 

Mr.  Cole,  before  becoming  a  preacher,  was  a  medical  practitioner, 
and  had  not  enjoyed  those  opportunities  for  biblical  studies,  which  are 
adapted  to  afford  one  the  most  clear  and  defined  theological  views,  and 
render  him  a  permanently  successful  religious  teacher.  He  afterwards 
took  charge  of  a  drug-store  in  the  city,  and  has  since  deceased. 

Eighth  minister  was  Charles  Evans,  who  was  settled  here  in  1842, 
and  left  in  1844.  He  was  a  native  of  England  ;  had  been  a  missionary 
in  the  Asiatic  isle,  Sumatra ;  came  to  this  country  well  recommended 
by  the  English  Baptists  ;  was  a  man  of  general  intelligence,  a  good 
scholar,  and  worthy  minister  of  the  New  Testament.  After  leaving  us, 
he  became  minister  of  a  church  in  Michigan.  He  had  a  family  of  ten 
children  ;  and  from  his  missionary  and  other  travels,  it  happened  that 
some  of  his  children  were  born  in  Europe,  some  in  Asia,  some  in 
Africa,  and  the  youngest  in  America,  —  at  South  Reading.  In  1843, 
during  Mr.  Evans's  ministry,  occurred  the  Miller  excitement ;  twenty 
persons  withdrew  from  the  church  and  joined  the  Adventists,  about 
one  third  of  whom  subsequently  returned. 

Rev.  Mr.  Evans  died  in  Connecticut,  June,  1869,  aged  78  years. 

Ninth  minister  was  Paul  S.  Adams,  who  was  settled  in  1844,  and 
resigned  in  1848.  He  was  afterwards  pastor,  first  at  Newburyport,  and 
then  at  Newport,  N.  H.  Mr.  Adams  was  of  a  somewhat  nervous  and 
impulsive  temperament ;  rather  active  and  zealous  as  a  preacher,  than 
critical  or  profound  as  a  student. 

Tenth  minister  was  Daniel  W.  Phillips,  who  was  settled  in  1850. 
Installation  sermon  by  Rev.  Pharcellus  Church,  of  Boston. 

In  1851,  Elizabeth  C.,  wife  of  Rev.  Mr.  Phillips,  died  at  the  age  of 
42.  She  was  a  lady  of  intelligence  and  worth.  In  1855,  Mary  Dead- 
man,  a  venerable  sister  in  the  church,  died  at  the  age  of  97  years* and 
ten  months.  Also,  died  Deacon  David  Smith,  aged  84,  nearly. 

In  1859,  died  Noah  Smith,  Esq.,  aged  84,  an  original  member,  and 
father  of  Rev.  Francis  Smith,  of  Rhode  Island,  and  grandfather  of  James 
W.  Smith,  D.  D.,  of  Philadelphia.  The  same  year  died  Deacon  Jacob 
Eaton,  in  his  88th  year.  In  1860,  died  Deacon  Zenas  Eaton,  aged  63, 
eon  of  Deacon  Jacob.  This  same  year  the  church  received  the  noble 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


209 


donation  of  $2,000  from  Mrs.  E.  E.  Wiley,  widow  of  Edmund  E. 
Wiley,  daughter  of  the  late  Adam  Hawkes,  Esq.,  and  now  the  wife  ot 
Rev.  Horace  Eaton. 

In  1863,  Rev.  Mr.  Phillips  resigned  his  pastorate.  Mr.  Phillips, 
with  a  shade  of  melancholy  in  his  temperament,  was  a  devoted  student; 
had  an  uncommon  share  of  metaphysical  taste  and  acumen ;  was  fond 
of  minute  and  extended  investigations,  that  were  less  calculated  to  in- 
terest the  masses  than  more  condensed  and  animated  addresses.  He 
was  noted  for  his  discreet  and  exemplary  deportment.  His  daily  Chris- 
tian life  won  the  respect  of  all  who  knew  him ;  and  his  affectionate 
sympathy  with  the  suffering  and  bereaved  has  left  tender  memories  in 
many  hearts.  He  is  now  (1873)  settled  in  Nashville,  Tenn. 

Eleventh  minister  was  George  Bullen,  who  was  settled  in  1864,  and 
resigned  his  pastorate  in  1866,  on  account  of  a  disorder  in  his  throat, 
which  had  prevented  him  from  preaching  for  some  time.  Mr.  Bullen 
was  a  native  of  Maine,  and  a  nephew  of  the  missionary  Boardman.  He 
had  enlarged  his  acquaintance  with  men  and  manners,  by  a  visit  to 
Europe  ;  had  been  chaplain  in  the  United  States  Army  in  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion  ;  was  an  ardent  patriot,  an  earnest  preacher,  and  a  kind  coun- 
sellor. He  was  distinguished  for  his  prudence  and  equanimity ;  of  cheer- 
ful and  happy  temperament,  equally  remote  from  austerity  and  frivolity. 
His  pastorate  was  marked  by  cordiality  and  harmony  in  his  church. 
Mr.  Bullen  is  now  (1873)  settled  in  Pawtucket,  R.  I. 

Twelfth  minister  was  James  W.  Wilmarth,  who  was  settled  in  1867, 
resigned  on  account  of  ill-health  in  1869,  and  afterwards  settled  in 
New  Jersey,  where  he  remained  in  1873.  Mr.  Wilmarth's  pastorate 
was  interrupted  by  want  of  health ;  but  as  a  religious  teacher  he  ap- 
peared to  possess  a  more  than  ordinarily  distinct  and  comprehensive 
view  of  the  great  principles  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  true  building  of  the 
Christian  church,  and  his  discourses,  delivered  without  reading,  were 
remarkable  for  their  natural  ease,  directness,  and  the  attention  and 
interest  which  they  secured. 

May  10,  1868,  the  church  celebrated  the  Semi-centennial  Anniversary 
of  its  Sunday  School,  —  which  school  is  now,  as  it  has  been  in  the  past, 
large  and  flourishing. 

April  9,  1871,  Edward  Mansfield  resigned  his  office  of  Superintendent 
of  the  Sabbath  School,  having  officiated  in  that  capacity  for  twenty- 
three  consecutive  years,  to  a  day. 

June  21,  1871.  The  second  meeting-house,  erected  by  this  church 
and  society,  was  destroyed  by  an  incendiary  fire.  The  corner-stone  of 
the  new  church  building  was  laid  Aug.  22,  1871.  The  new  building 
27 


2io  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

was  dedicated  Dec.  n,  1872.  (For  accurate  description  of  this  build- 
ing, see  Chapter  XII  of  this  History.) 

While  the  new  church  building  was  being  erected,  the  congregation 
worshipped  in  the  Town  Hall  for  the  period  of  one  year,  and  held  ser- 
vices in  the  vestry  of  their  new  church  for  the  first  time,  on  June  23, 
1872. 

Rev.  Richard  M.  Nott,  from  Illinois,  commenced  his  labors  as  pas- 
tor, on  the  first  Sabbath  in  August,  1872,  and  still  continues. 

From  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Wilmarth  to  that  of  Mr.  Nott,  a  space 
of  nearly  three  years,  the  church  enjoyed  a  variety  of  preaching,  by 
supplies,  and  a  continued  and  even  increased  interest  in  weekly  relig- 
ious meetings,  two,  instead  of  one,  being  regularly  attended  since  their 
inauguration.  A  special  blessing  accompanied  the  labors  of  the 
church  in  its  destitution  of  a  pastor ;  during  that  time  forty-eight  were 
added  to  its  membership.  At  this  time  (Oct.  1873)  it  has  280  mem- 
bers. 

The  church  has  approbated  for  the  work  of  the  ministry  seven  of  its 
members,  namely :  George  Evans,  Jonas  Evans,  Francis  Smith,  Still- 
man  Jewett,  William  L.  Brown,  Frederick  Wiley,  and  Alfred  S.  Stowell, 
three  of  whom  have  deceased. 

It  has  been  served  by  six  deacons,  namely  :  Jacob  Eaton,  David 
Smith,  Martin  Stowell,  Manning  Winchell  Sullivan,  Albert  G.  Sweetser, 
and  Edward  Mansfield ;  the  first  four  of  whom  have  deceased. 

UNIVERSALIST  SOCIETY  OF  SOUTH  READING,  NOW  WAKEFIELD. 

This  society  was  organized  April  29,  1813.  It  had  preaching  much 
of  the  time,  although  it  had  no  settled  minister  for  several  years. 

The  first  pastor  was  John  C.  Newell,  who  was  settled  in  1833,  and 
labored  two  years.  The  society  was  quite  fortunate  in  securing  as 
their  first  permanent  pastor,  such  a  man  as  Mr.  Newell ;  he  possessed 
good  natural  abilities,  was  of  easy  address,  was  well  cultivated  in  liter- 
ature, familiar  with  the  Scriptures,  and  having  studied  theology  a  con- 
siderable time  with  Rev.  Hosea  Ballou,  of  Boston,  was  one  of  the  few 
men  who  have  the  gift  to  preach  extemporaneously,  and  are  aflle  to 
make  their  pulpit  efforts  result  in  a  permanent  success.  His  excellent 
qualities  of  mind  and  heart  greatly  endeared  him  to  his  numerous 
friends  and  acquaintances,  whose  friendship  he  appreciated,  and  whose 
hearts  were  made  sad  by  his  early  departure.  He  died  Nov.  17,  1836, 
aged  41  years. 

Second  pas-tor  was  H.  W.  Morse,  who  preached  on  each  alternate 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  211 

Sabbath,  during  the  year  1836.     The  place  of  worship  at  this  time  was 
the  Town  Hall,  which  was  usually  well  filled. 

Third  pastor  was  Henry  Jewell,  who  was  installed  here  in  1837.  He 
left  in  1840  to  take  charge  of  the  Second  Universalist  Society  in  Lynn. 
Mr.  Jewell  was  a  ready,  fluent,  and  earnest  speaker,  and  possessed 
great  social  and  colloquial  gifts.  In  1839  the  society  erected  a  neat 
and  convenient  church,  on  land  bordering  on  the  Common,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  five  thousand  dollars,  which  was  dedicated  in  November  of 
the  same  year ;  the  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  T.  Whittemore, 
of  Boston. 

Fourth  pastor  was  Henry  Lyon,  who  preached  during  the  year  1840. 
He  removed  to  Williamsburg,  N.  Y.,  where  he  preached  for  many 
years,  and  was  afterwards  long  and  favorably  known  as  the  publishing 
agent  of  the  "  Ambassador,"  and  the  publisher  of  Universalist  books 
in  New  York  city.  By  his  constant  industry  and  devotion,  by  his 
gentlemanly  bearing,  his  Christian  temper  and  accommodating  spirit, 
his  pleasant  smile  and  truly  religious  character,  he  endeared  himself  to 
all  who  had  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaintance.  He  died  in  Williams- 
burg,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  16,  1866,  aged  52. 

Fifth  pastor  was  Stillman  Barden,  who  was  settled  in  1841 ;  left  in 
1842.  Mr.  Barden,  as  a  man  and  a  citizen,  enjoyed,  in  large  measure, 
the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  friends  and  acquaintances,  for  his  kind- 
ness of  heart,  his  urbanity  of  manners,  and  the  interest  he  manifested 
in  all  the  instrumentalities  and  reforms  of  the  age,  and  his  desire  to 
improve  and  elevate  the  condition  of  mankind.  He  was  ardently  en- 
gaged in  the  cause  of  temperance,  upon  which  he  lectured  and  labored 
to  the  close  of  life.  He  died  at  Rockport,  Mass.,  Aug.  7,  1865. 

Sixth  pastor  was  John  H.  Willis,  who  was  called  in  April,  1842.  His 
pastorate  continued  until  December,  1845. 

Seventh  pastor  was  Alexander  Hichborn,  who  was  installed  in  June, 
1846,  and  resigned  in  November,  1848.  Mr.  Hichborn  was  a  man  of 
superior  native  talents,  a  fertile  imagination,  of  good  intellectual  cul- 
ture, and,  as  a  writer  and  preacher,  for  rhetoric,  logic,  and  eloquence 
had  few  equals.  He  entered  the  Union  army  in  1862,  as  an  assistant 
surgeon,  and  died  in  1863  ;  thus  giving  his  life  for  the  safety  of  his 
country 

Eighth  pastor  was  John  H.  Moore,  who  was  settled  in  1849,  at  a 
salary  of  $600.  In  1853  he  received  a  call  from  the  society  in  Stam- 
ford, Conn.  He  left  in  July,  1853.  He  is  now  (1868)  settled  in  Warren, 
Mass.,  over  the  same  society  which  he  left  to  accept  the  invitation 
from  South  Reading,  in  1849. 


212  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Ninth  pastor  was  Benton  Smith,  who  was  settled  in  1854.  He  re- 
signed in  1858. 

Tenth  pastor  was  E.  A.  Eaton,  who  was  settled  in  1858,  at  a  salary 
of  $1,250. 

In  1859  the  society  enlarged  and  remodelled  their  church  edifice  at 
an  expense  of  $6,000.  It  was  re-dedicated  in  July  of  the  same  year. 

Mr.  Eaton  resigned  in  October,  1865,  and  removed  to  Boston. 

Eleventh  pastor  was  William  W.  Hayward,  who  was  installed  in 
1865,  and  resigned  in  1870. 

Twelfth  pastor  was  William  F.  Potter,  who  was  settled  in  1870,  and 
still  continues  (1873). 

NORTH  PARISH. 

The  Second,  or  North  Parish,  now  North  Reading,  was  incorporated 
in  1713,  and  a  church  in  connection  therewith  was  organized  soon 
after,  which  was  the  second  church  of  old  Reading.  Their  first  minis- 
ter was  Daniel  Putnam,  who  commenced  preaching  to  this  church  as 
early  as  1718,  but  was  ordained  June  29,  1720.  The  church,  at  the 
time  of  his  ordination,  consisted  of  thirty-nine  members.  Mr.  Putnam 
was  a  native  of  Danvers,  son  of  Benjamin,  of  the  same  place,  died  at 
Reading,  June  20,  1759,  in  his  sixty-third  year.  Was  a  graduate  of 
Harvard  College  in  1717. 

The  second  minister  was  Eliab  Stone,  who  was  ordained  May^  20, 
1761 ;  died  Aug.  31,  1822,  in  the  eighty-sixth  year  of  his  age  and  sixty- 
second  of  his  ministry.  Mr.  Stone  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College 
in  1758. 

Third  minister,  Cyrus  Peirce,  ordained  as  colleague  with  Rev.  Mr. 
Stone,  May  19,  1819.  Dismissed,  May  19,  1827.  Mr.  Peirce  was 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1810.  He  was  a  fine  scholar,  a  pleas- 
ant speaker,  and  learned  writer.  After  leaving  Reading,  he  engaged  in 
teaching,  in  which  profession  he  was  very  successful  and  popular. 

Fourth  minister,  Jacob  Weed  Eastman.  Installed  Nov.  19,  1828. 
Left  1832  or  '33.  Mr.  Eastman  received  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M. 
from  Dartmouth  College  in  1822. 

Fifth  minister,  James  D.  Lewis.  Ordainad  June  4,  1834.  Left 
May  10,  1836.  Was  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  in  1828.  He  died  in 

1854. 

Sixth  minister,  John  Orcutt.  Ordained  July  12,  1837.  Left  April 
19,  1842. 

Seventh  minister,  Ephraim  W.  Allen.  Ordained  May  17,  1843. 
Was  a  graduate  of  Amherst  College  in  1838. 

Eighth  minister,  T.  N.  Jones.    Installed  Oct.  19,  1853.   Died  in  1869. 


OF   THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


213 


List  of  Deacons  of  the  First  Church  in  North  Reading. 

Thomas  Taylor,       elected  1720.  Jeremiah  Eaton,  elected  1774. 

John  Harnden,              "  1722.  Henry  Putnam,  "  1778. 

Wm.  Flint,                     "  1727.  John  Swain,  "  1791. 

Thos.  Hutchinson,        "  1732.  Daniel  Flint,  "  1807. 

Ebenezer  Walcott,         "  1736.  Thomas  Rayner,  "  1815. 

John  Burnap,                  "  1748.  Addison  Flint,  "  1833. 

Daniel  Putnam,             "  1754.  Joseph  II.  Eaton,  "  1845. 

Amos  Upton,                 "  1762.  Daniel  Flint,  "  1861. 

The  first  meeting-house  in  the  North  Parish  was  built  or  commenced 
in  1717  ;  it  stood  on  the  Common,  near  the  present  site  of  the  Town 
Hall,  and  was  used  for  a  church  until  1752.  It  was  afterwards  removed, 
and  used  as  a  schpol-house  by  Dr.  Herrick,  and  as  a  grocery  by  Mary 
Herrick,  and,  at  length,  became  the  property  of  Dea.  Jeremiah  Eaton, 
who  used  it  as  a  shop,  and  was  in  use  as  a  cabinet-shop  as  late  as  1844 
by  Wm.  Eaton,  —  its  timbers  still  sound,  although  some  of  them  were 
poplar. 

The  second  meeting-house  was  built  in  1752  ;  was  48  feet  long  by  36 
feet  wide,  and  22  feet  stud,  and  stood  near  the  site  of  the  first  meeting- 
house, and  was  occupied  as  a  church  until  the  erection  of  the  third 
house,  when  it  was  sold  to  Joseph  Jeffrey,  who  removed  it  and  made  a 
barn  of  it. 

The  third  meeting-house  was  erected  in  1829,  on  or  near  the  spot 
occupied  by  its  predecessor^,  where  it  still  stands.  This  house  was 
occupied  by  the  united  parish  society  until  about  1836,  when  it  was 
found  that  a  majority  of  the  society  were  Universalists,  who  were  dis- 
posed to  settle  a  minister  of  their  own  faith.  Whereupon  the  Orthodox 
portion  of  the  church  and  society  retired  from  the  parish  church,  that 
some  of  them  had  contributed  to  build,  and  erected  in  1836  the  new 
meeting-house  which  they  still  use. 

The  Universalists,  who  were  left  the  undisputed  proprietors  of  the 
old  parish  meeting-house,  in  connection  with  the  town,  that  became,  by 
purchase,  part  owner  thereof,  remodelled  the  house,  and  fitted  up  the 
lower  story  for  a  town  hall  and  the  upper  story  for  public  worship,  for 
which  purposes  it  is  still  used. 

The  clergymen  who  have  ministered  for  longer  or.  shorter  terms  to 
the  Universalist  society,  have  been :  Rev.  Mr.  Marston,  Rev.  Mr.  Gris- 
wold,  Rev.  Samuel  Bennett,  Rev.  Horace  Morse,  Rev.  G.  B.  Emerson, 
Rev.  Earl  Guilford,  and  perhaps  others. 


214  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


BAPTIST  CHURCH  AND  SOCIETY  OF  NORTH  READING.. 

This  society  was  formed  March,  1817,  and  the  church  was  constituted 
April  16,  1817,  with  24  members.  This  society  encountered  consider- 
able qpposition  during  a  few  of  the  early  years  of  its  history.  Its 
members  worshipped  at  first  in  a  district  school-house,  which  stood 
upon  land  owned  by  one  of  the  members  of  the  society.  Soon,  how- 
ever, the  district  caused  the  house  to  be  removed  from  "  Baptist  to 
Congregational  soil,"  and  prohibited  the  further  use  of  it  by  the  society, 
for  religious  meetings.  Thereafter,  until  the  erection  of  their  first 
meeting-house,  they  held  their  meetings  at  private  houses,  chiefly  at 
those  of  Eliab  Parker,  Sr.,  and  of  Eliab  Parker,  Jr.,  the  latter  of  whom 
fitted  up  a  hall  for  the  purpose.  Their  meetings  were  sometimes  dis- 
turbed by- the  opposers.  One  of  their  members,  having  "signed  off" 
from  the  older  society,  and  having  refused  to  pay  a  parish  tax,  was 
prosecuted,  and  his  property  seized  and  sold  at  public  auction.  But 
time,  patience,  and  forbearance  soon  disarmed  the  opposition,  and  con- 
verted foes  into  friends  and  supporters. 

In  1828  their  first  meeting-house  was  built,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000. 

First  pastor,  J.  M.  Driver,  who  was  ordained  Oct.  8,  1828,  the  new 
meeting-house  being  dedicated  at  the  same  time.  Mr.  Driver  labored 
successfully  nine  months,  and  then  left. 

Second  pastor,  George  Matthews.  Ordained  January,  1830.  Left 
in  May,  1834. 

Third  pastor,  William  Heath.  Settled  June,  1836.  Left,  1841. 
Mr.  Heath  was  a  graduate  of  Dart.  Coll.  in  1826  ;  married  Sarah  A., 
daughter  of  Burrage  Yale,  Esq.,  of  Wakefield  ;  had  been  one  of  the 
earliest  teachers  in  South  Reading  Academy  ;  was  a  gentleman  of  high 
respectability  ;  not  an  eloquent  speaker,  but  possessed  of  fair  talents  as 
a  scholar  and  writer.  He  was  a  good  pastor  ;  looked  well  after  the 
secular  as  well  as  spiritual  interests  of  his  flock  ;  "  and  under  his  wise 
counsels  the  society  thrived,  increased  in  numbers,  and  became  a  thing 
of  power."  He  subsequently  settled  in  South  Reading  (now  Wake- 
field),  and  engaged  in  business  pursuits.  He  died  in  1869,  in  his  7oth 
year. 

Fourth  pastor,  J.  Holbrook.     Settled  July,  1841.     Left  April,  1842. 

Fifth  pastor,  J-.  N.  Sykes.  Ordained  August,  1842.  Left  Octo- 
ber, 1843. 

Sixth  pastor,  Benjamin  Knight.  Settled  April,  1845.  Left  Novem- 
ber, 1846. 


Of    THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  215 

Seventh  pastor,  F.  E.  Cleaves.  Settled  May,  1847.  Left  January, 
1851. 

Eighth  pastor,  A.  C.  Bronson.  Settled  June,  1851.  Left  Novem- 
ber, 1854. 

Ninth  pastor,    E.  W.  Pray.      Settled  February,   1855.      Left  July, 

1857- 

Tenth  pastor,  VV.  K.  Davy.     Settled .     Left,  1868. 

Eleventh  pastor,  A.  W.  Ashley. 

In  April,  1860,  their  first  meeting-house  was  destroyed  by  fire.  Their 
second  church  edifice  was  erected  in . 

The  deacons  of  this  church  have  been  as  follows  :  Oliver  Emerson, 
ordained  1830;  Eliab  Parker,  Jr.,  ordained  1830;  Joseph  Cook,  or- 
dained 1850  ;  Geo.  K.  Parker. 

The  licentiates  of  this  church  have  been:  Wm.  Bowen,  licensed 
1820  ;  Oliver  Emerson,  Jr.,  licensed  1835  >  ^-  W.  Hewes,  licensed 
1840;  H.  M.  Emerson,  licensed  1858;  G.  S.  Abbott,  licensed  1860; 
Forrest  F.  Emerson,  licensed  1867. 

Eliab  Parker,  Jr.,  Esq.,  referred  to  above  as  one  of  the  earliest  dea- 
cons of  this  church,  was  long  an  eminent  and  most  useful  citizen  of 
North  Reading.  He  died  suddenly,  in  the  midst  of  life  and  useful- 
ness, Jan.  26,  1850.  His  death  was  a  heavy  stroke  to  this  young 
church.  "  To  the  church  and  Sabbath  school,  over  which  he  had  been 
for  more  than  twenty  years  a  model  deacon  and  superintendent,  his  loss 
seemed  at  first  irreparable.  Assiduous  in  the  discharge  of  Christian 
duty,  punctual  and  exact  in  business,  he  served  the  Lord  in  the  abund- 
ance of  his  means,  with  strict  fidelity  and  zeal.  His  duties  were  only 
to  be  known  to  be  done.  His  short  sickness  of  twelve  hours  was  peace. 
His  end  was  that  of  the  righteous.  Resting  from  his  labors,  his  works 
'do  follow  him.' 

"  '  Earth  seems  more  sweet  to  live  upon, 
More  full  of  love,  because  of  him."  " 

OLD  SOUTH  CHURCH. 

The  church  now  called  the  "  Old  South  Church,  of  Reading,"  for- 
merly called  the  "West  Parish  Church,"  was  organized  in  1770. 

First  minister  was  Thomas  Haven,  who  was  ordained  Nov.  7,  1770, 
and  died  May  7*  1782,  aged  38  years. 

Mr.  Haven  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1765.  Little  is 
known  of  his  life  and  labors.  Tradition  ascribes  to  him  the  character 
of  a  mild,  amiable,  and  cultivated  man.  He  passed  away  early  from  his 


2i6  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

professional  work,  and,  so  far  as  is  known,  left  no  printed  productions 
of  his  pen,  excepting  one  sermon,  preached  at  the  ordination  of  Mr. 
Jacob  Burnap  (a  native  of  Reading),  at  Merrimack,  N.  H.,  in  1772. 
His  ordination  sermon  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Turner,  of  Duxbury,  was  pub- 
lished and  is  extant.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Prentiss,  of  the  First  Parish, 
Wakefield,  left  this  brief  notice  of  his  death:  "1782,  May  7,  —  I 
prayed  with  my  friend,  Mr.  Haven,  of  the  West  Parish,  this  morning, 
and  was  with  him  when  he  died  at  10  A.  M.,  of -consumption."  His 
grave,  and  that  of  his  wife,  who  died  at  the  age  of  22,  are  in  the  burial- 
ground  of  his  own  Parish.  The  last  living  link,  connecting  him  with 
the  present  generation,  was  Mrs.  Hannah  (Bancroft)  Brown,  whom  he 
baptized  Jan.  20,  1771.  She  was  the  second  infant  baptized  by  him, 
and  her  funeral  was  attended  by  Dr.  Barrows,  Feb.  27,  1861. 

Second  pastor,  Rev.  Peter  Sanborn.  Ordained  June  9,  1790. 
Dismissed  June  7,  1820.  He  was  the  tenth  child  of  William  and  Mary 
(Sleeper)  Sanborn,  and  was  born  at  Kingston,  N.  H.,  Aug.  13,  1766, 
and  was  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  1786,  in  a  class  of  twenty- 
five.  Of  these,  ten  became  ministers  of  the  Gospel.  He  studied 
theology  with  the  Rev.  Ephraim  Judson,  of  Taunton,  Mass.,  and 
preached  his  first  sermon  in  Dighton,  May  24,  1778,  and  his  first  in 
Reading  in  1789.  A  strong  Arminian  influence  in  the  Society,  and  the 
refusal  of  three  men,  previously  called,  to  settle  in  it,  because  a  difficult 
field,  and  the  fact  as  stated  by  him  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Barrows,  that  he 
was,  as  he  believed,  the  thirty-second  candidate,  led  Mr.  Sanborn  to 
consider  his  call  nine  months  before  acceptance.  The  ordaining  coun- 
cil was  lengthy  and  stormy,  as  between  the  Calvinistic  and  Arminian 
theologies,  and  crowded  the  ordination  of  the  young  Hopkinsian  into 
the  candle-light  of  that  long  June  day.  His  ministry,  and  specially 
till  past  1810,  was  one  of  marked  power.  For  special  seasons  of  in- 
terest, three  revivals  signalized  it,  the  most  noted  of  which  was  n 
1810,  when  for  a  term  there  was  not  a  house  in  the  town  in  which  at 
least  one  praying  person  could  not  be  found,  and  but  few  families  that 
did  not  have  family  worship.  As  a  preacher  Mr.  Sanborn  was  ardent, 
and  in  his  earlier  years,  very  impressive.  Three  of  his  revival  sermons 
are  in  print ;  also  one  preached  before  the  Mass.  Missionary  Society, 
in  1815;  The  Right  Hand  of  Fellowship,  at  the  Installation  of  the 
Rev.  Reuben  Emerson,  over  the  First  Parish,  Wakefield,  1804  ;  and  an 
Anti-Masonic  Address  delivered  in  Reading,  1829.  Mr.  Sanborn  was 
twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Miss  Mary  Stimpson,  adopted 
daughter  of  Daniel  Chute,  Esq.,  of  Reading,  married  May  26,  1798, 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


217 


and  had,  by  this  union,  nine  children.  After  her  decease,  Oct.  15, 
1818,  he  married,  in  1819,  Miss  Martha  Wakefield,  by  which  new 
alliance  five  children  were  added  to  his  house.  She  died  May  2,  1847. 
He  died  Aug.  8,  1857,  in  the  same  house  where  he  began  his  home  in 
Reading,  sixty-seven  years  before.  Two  sons  in  the  ministry  still  live, 
the  Rev.  Pliny  F.,  of  Bloomfield,  New  York,  and  the  Rev.  George 
Edward,  of  Northborough,  Mass.  His  funeral  sermon,  which  was 
published,  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Lyman  Whiting,  D.  D. 

Third  pastor,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Green.  Ordained  Sept.  20,  1820. 
Dismissed  March  26,  1823.  Mr.  Green  was  graduated  at  Harvard 
College,  1816  ;  studied  theology  for  a  term  at  the  Andover  Theological 
Seminary,  and  finished  his  preparatory  divinity  course  in  1819,  while 
tutor  at  Bowdoin  College.  His  ministry  in  Reading  was  short,  but 
powerful  for  good,  and  many  still  remember  his  tender  spirit  and  faith- 
ful labors  in  Christ.  In  November,  1822,  the  Union  Church,  Essex 
Street,  Boston,  invited  him  to  become  their  pastor.  His  people  strongly 
and  affectionately  declined  to  give  him  up.  But  a  renewal  of  the 
call  prevailed,  and  he  was  installed  in  his  new  field,  March  26,  1823. 
For  ten  years  he  labored  at  that  conspicuous  post,  and  with  great 
energy  and  success  and  acceptance.  As  a  result  his  health  failed,  and 
he  went  abroad  to  regain  it ;  but  in  vain.  He  died  in  Boston,  Nov.  20, 
1834. 

His  principal  publications  were,  a  sermon  before  the  Mass.  Society 
for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  1827  ;  a  Memorial  Sermon,  at 
Plymouth,  Dec.  22,  1828;  and  "More  than  one  hundred  Arguments  in 
proof  of  the  Supreme  Divinity  of  Jesus  Christ." 

As  a  preacher  he  handled  the  great  doctrines  of  the  Gospel ;  he  was 
direct,  simple,  earnest,  holy,  and  impressive  in  the  pulpit ;  he  labored 
from  house  to  house ;  with  the  afflicted  he  was  tender,  yet  faithful, 
being  governed  by  a  mild  and  sweet  affection.  When  fifteen  years  of 
age  he  became  an  apprentice  as  a  mason  and  bricklayer,  choosing  this 
trade  as  it  would  give  him  the  long  winters  for  study  ;  and  till  within 
a  few  years,  an  old  brick  house  has  been  standing  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  town,  where  he  handled  the  trowel  and  brick  and  mortar  in  its 
erection.  God  promoted  him-  to  be  a  skilful  master-builder  on  His 
spiritual  temple.  The  Rev.  Dr.  R.  S,  Storrs  prepared  his  Memoirs, 
published  in  1836. 

Fourth  pastor,  the  Rev.  Jared  Reid.  Ordained  Oct.  8,  1823,  Dis- 
missed June  12,  1833. 

Fifth  pastor,  the    Rev.  Aaron   Pickett.      Installed    Sept.  25,  1833. 
Dismissed  April  3,  1850.     Mr.  Pickett  was  born  in  Sandisfield,  Mass., 
28 


2i8  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

July  15,  1792.  He  entered  Union  College  as  a  sophomore,  and  was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1818.  He  studied  theology  with  the  Rev. 
Drs.  Lansing,  of  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  and  Fay,  of  Charlestown,  Mass.  On 
account  of  feeble  health  he  spent  some  years  in  teaching,  preaching 
occasionally.  During  this  time  he  supplied  the  pulpit  at  West  Stock- 
bridge  for  some  months,  and  at  Boxboro'  for  two  years.  He  was 
ordained  June  23,  1826,  and  installed  at  Cohasset,  Mass.,  in  1827, 
where  he  remained  for  six  years.  He  was  settled  in  Reading  in  1833, 
and  bad  a  pastorate  here  of  seventeen  years.  He  was  then  dismissed 
and  installed  in  his  native  town,  Jan.  22,  1851,  and  remained  a  pastor 
there  till  his  death,  Jan.  10,  1866.  Mr.  Pickett  was  a  familiar,  earnest, 
and  devout  preacher  and  pastor,  with  the  leading  purpose  to  honor 
Christ  in  the  Gospel  ministry,  and  he  was  much  blessed  in  his  labors. 
His  publications  were  two  Funeral  Sermons  :  one  of  Mrs.  Lathrop,  of 
Cohasset ;  and  the  other  of  Mrs.  Bennett,  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Bennett,  of  Woburn,  Mass. 

Sixth  pastor,  the  Rev.  Lyman  Whiting,  D.  t>.  Installed  Jan.  i, 
1851.  Dismissed  Nov.  i,  1855.  Mr.  Whiting  was  born  in  North 
Brookfield,  Mass.,  April  28,  1817;  entered  Amherst  College  in  Octo- 
ber, 1835,  and  left,  on  failure  of  health,  in  the  second  year.  He  then 
studied  in  private  and  at  Harvard  College  ;  entered  the  Theological 
Seminary,  1839,  and  was  graduated  at  Andover  in  1842.  He  was 
married  to  Sophia  E.  Chamberlain,  of  Westboro',  Jan.  5,  1843,  and 
ordained  colleague  pastor  with  the  Rev.  Micah  Stone,  son  of  the  Rev. 
Eliab  Stone,  of  North  Reading,  over  the  Evangelical  Congregational 
Church,  in  Brookfield,  South  Parish,  Jan.  n,  1843.  January,  1847,  he 
was  called  to  preach  in  Lawrence,  Mass. ;  aided  in  organizing  the 
First  Congregational  church  there,  and  in  erecting  the  Lawrence  Street 
meeting-house,  and  was  installed  pastor  June  6,  1847.  He  was  dis- 
missed Jan.  16,  1849,  and  by  a  "unanimous  vote"  called  to  the  pastor- 
ate of  the  Second,  or  Central  Church,  Lawrence,  Oct.  5,  1850.  This 
was  declined,  and  a  call  to  the  Old  South  Church,  in  Reading,  was 
preferred,  over  which  he  was  installed  Jan.  i,  1851.  He  was  dismissed 
by  a  council  that  installed  him  pastor  of  the  North  Church,  Portsmouth, 
N.  H.,  Nov.  i,  1855.  From  thence  he  was  called  to  the  Park  Presby- 
terian Church,  Brooklyn,  N.Y.,in  November,  1858.  He  removed  there, 
but  did  not  consummate  the  call,  and  in  December,  1859,  he  became 
the  pastor  of  the  High  Street  Church,  Providence.  In  1864  he  was 
called  to  the  Congregational  Church,  Dubuque,  Iowa.  The  honorary 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  on  Mr.  Whiting  by  Iowa 
College  in  1868. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


219 


As  a  preacher.  Dr.  Whiting  is  clear,  compact,  doctrinal,  and  practical, 
in  happy  combination  with  a  warm,  animated  style.  His  publications 
have  been :  Dedication,  Ordination,  Funeral  and  Commemorative  Ser- 
mons ;  Addresses,  religious  and  secular;  Articles  in  the  North  Ameri- 
can and  other  Reviews,  and  joint  editorial  work  in  the  "  Iowa  News 
Letter." 

Seventh  pastor,  the  Rev.  William  Barrows,  D.  D.  Installed  Feb. 
20,  1856.  Dismissed  May  6,  1869.  William  Barrows,  son  of 
William  and  Asenath  [Osborn]  Barrows, — the  eighth  of  ten  chil- 
dren, and  the  youngest  of  five  sons,  —  was  born  in  New  Braintree, 
Mass.,  Sept.  19,  1815.  After  preparation  at  Phillips  Academy, 
Andover,  and  entering  Amherst  College  in  1836,  he  was  graduated 
there  in  1840.  Teaching  in  Virginia  and  Missouri  for  three  years,  he 
studied  theology  in  the  Union  Theological  Seminary  for  two  years, 
preached  his  first  sermon  in  Templeton,  Aug.  4,  1844,  and  was  ordained 
and  installed  in  Norton,  Sept.  4,  1845.  He  was  dismissed  from  the 
pastorate  in  Norton,  June  4,  1850,  to  settle  over  the  Church  of  Christ 
in  Grantville,  Needham,  where  he  was  installed  Aug.  22, 1850.  Thence 
he  was  called  by  the  Old  South  Church  and  Society,  Reading.  Having 
been  dismissed  from  the  pastoral  charge  in  Grantville,  Jan.  22,  1856, 
he  became  the  pastor  of  this  church  by  acts  of  council,  Feb.  20,  1856, 
and  was  dismissed  May  6,  1869,  to  enter  on  the  duties  of  Secretary  of 
the  Congregational  Sabbath  School  and  Publishing  Society.  The 
honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  on  Mr.  Barrows 
by  his  own  alma  mater  in  1867.  The  preaching  of  Dr.  Barrows  is 
simple,  doctrinal,  direct,  dense  and  brief  in  style,  scholarly  and  popu- 
lar, with  the  manner  of  a  quiet  earnestness.  He  has  won  a  large  place 
in  the  hearts  of  his  people  as  a  familiar  and  genial  pastor,  and  has 
gained  the  reputation  for  eminent  aptness  in  the  sick-room  and  on 
funeral  occasions.  In  his  leisure  hours  from  professional  calls,  he  has 
used  an  industrious  pen  for  the  public.  In  addition  to  extensive  cor- 
respondence with  the  leading  religious  newspapers,  he  has  published 
five  sermons  :  Ministerial  Freedom,  the  closing  sermon  at  Norton, 
1850;  Future  Punishment  Constitutional,  1852;  Our  War  and  Our 
Religion,  their  Harmony,  1862 ;  The  War  and  Slavery,  and  their 
Relations  to  each  other,  1862  ;  Honor  to  the  Brave,  1863.  Also,  Alcohol 
and  the  Commonwealth  in  Permanent  Temperance  Documents,  1851  ; 
India,  Ancient  and  Modern ;  The  High  School  Policy  of  Mass. ;  and 
Immigration,  in  the  New  Englander,  1857-8;  Romanism  and  a  Free 
Bible,  Bibliotheca  Sacra,  1860 ;  Moses  and  the  Geologists,  Am.  Theol. 
Review,  1860  ;  Cyprian's  ^Letter  to  Fidus  ;  Future  Punishment  and 


220  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Natural  Laws,  the  Latin  Vulgate  ;  The  American  Board  and  its  Review- 
ers ;  Regeneration  not  by  Resolution  ;  Life  and  Times  of  Herod  the 
Great ;  The  Rabbis,  the  Mischna,  and  the  Talmuds ;  Dr.  Bushnell's 
Vicarious  Sacrifice ;  Jewish  Baptisms,  and  fifteen  other  Articles  in 
The  Boston  and  Congregational  Review,  of  which  Dr.  Barrows  was 
one  of  the  founders  and  editors  for  seven  years.  Also,  Raffling  and 
Charity  Fairs ;  Am.  Tract  Society,  Boston  ;  and  Twelve  Nights  in  The 
Hunters'  Camp,  an  outline  Memoir  of  his  Brother,  Willard  Barrows, 
1869 

Dr.  Barrows  has  been  twice  married:  in  June,  1845,  to  Miss  Lucia 
Amanda  Case,  who  died  Dec.  6,  1847  ;  and  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Adams 
Gate,  in  October,  1849. 

List  of  Deacons  in  the  Old  South  Church,  Reading. 

Jonathan  Temple,  chosen  March  i,  17705  Samuel  Bancroft,  chosen 
March  i,  1770;  Timothy  Pratt,  Jr.,  chosen  July  8,  1778  ;  James  Ban- 
croft, chosen  May  6,  1784;  John  Temple,  chosen  March  12,  1795  ; 
Benjamin  Pratt,  chosen  March  19,  1795  ;  Daniel  Temple,  chosen  Dec. 
18,  1811  ;  Jonathan  Baldwin,  chosen  Aug.  23,  1821 ;  Caleb  Wakefield, 
chosen  Aug.  23,  1821;  Jabez  D.  Parker,  chosen  Sept.  21,  1826; 
Charles  Temple,  chosen  Oct.  29,  1829  ;  Geo.  Baldwin,  chosen  May  5, 
1836;  Thomas  H.  Sweetser,  chosen  Feb.  27,  1851  ;  Edgar  Damon, 
chosen  Feb.  27,  1851 ;  James  J.  Shute,  chosen  Feb.  27,  1851 ;  Edward 
E.  Pratt,  chosen  Jan.  6,  1853  ;  Henry  A.  Emerson,  chosen  Jan.  13, 
1859 ;  Oliver  Wallace,  chosen  Sept.  4,  1862 ;  James  Kimball,  chosen 
Jan.  7,  1869  ;  T.  Tolman  Briggs,  chosen  Jan.  7,  1869. 

HISTORY  OF  THE  LIBERAL  CHURCH  IN  READING,  MASS. 

Passing  by  the  many  influences  that  reach  every  community  in  our 
land,  through  liberal  publications,  occasional  lectures  and  sermons,  we 
notice  the  first  organized  effort  towards  a  practical,  outward,  tangible 
demonstration  of  advanced  religious  ideas  in  this  town,  in  the  forma- 
tion of  the  Third  Congregational  Society,  April  2,  1827  ;  for  the  pur- 
pose, as  expressed  in  the  agreement  or  compact,  "  Of  promoting 
pure  and  evangelical  principles  of  practical  religion  and  morality." 
The  original  members  forming  this  Society  numbered  forty-six,  as  fol- 
lows :  Edmund  Parker,  Joshua  Prescott,  Nehemiah  Bancroft,  Thomas 
Hartshorn,  Silas  Smith,  Chas.  Parker,  Miah  Bancroft,  Samuel  Parker, 
James  Davis,  John  Nichols,  David  Nichols,  Joseph  D.  Baker,  Leon- 
ard Eames,  Daniel  Gould,  Jr.,  Sam'l  Holden,  Timothy  N.  Brown, 
Gould  Parker,  Warren  Aborn,  Sumner  Pratt,  Jepthah  Brown,  Eben  E. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  221 

Eames,  John  Aborn,  Thompson  Coggin,  John  Abbott,  John  Emerson, 
Jr.,  Seth  Sweetser,  Jacob  Hartshorn,  John  Mclntire,  Cleaveland  B. 
Holt,  Bowman  Viles,  Geo.  Batchelder,  B.  C.  Sanborn,  John  Steel, 
Joshua  Damon,  Joseph  Boutwell,  John  Emerson,  John  Temple,  Thos. 
Richardson,  Nehemiah  Clay,  Eben  Aborn,  Elijah  Hewes,  Charles  Spin- 
ney, Elliot  Spinney,  Joseph  B.  Fairbanks,  Joseph  Bancroft. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Sanborn  offered  to  said  society  land  near  the  spot 
now  occupied  by  the  house  of  Dr.  Brown,  for  the  purpose  of  erect- 
ing a  building  which  would  meet  the  needs  of  the  society  for  their 
public  worship,  provided  a  portion  of  said  building  should  be  set 
apart  and  used  for  an  Academy  or  High  School.  The  offer  was 
accepted,  and  the  church  edifice  or  building  was  erected  in  1827,  the 
upper  portion  being  used  by  the  society,  and  the  lower  floor  devoted  to 
a  school. 

Edmund  Parker,  Esq.,  who  was  one  of  the  leading  men  in  this  liberal 
movement,  being  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature  from  Reading  for 
the  winter  of  1827  and  '28,  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  special  act  of 
incorporation,  under  which  the  society  was  duly  organized  May  7,  1828. 
Many  noted  preachers  were  frequently  heard  by  the  earnest,  large- 
hearted  people  that  composed  the  congregations  gathered  from  Sabbath 
to  Sabbath  in  the  humble  edifice,  and  among  those  who  were  more 
than  occasional  preachers,  we  find  Rev.  Mr.  Barbery  holding  for  a 
while  the  pastorship,  till,  n  1830,  death  dissolved  the  connection. 
Then  there  seem  to  have  been  a  number  of  preachers  laboring  fora  few 
months  each,  among  them  Rev.  Dr.  Peabody  and  Rev.  Mr.  Robertson, 
till  1833,  when  Rev.  Mr.  Damon  became  their  pastor,  and  continued 
till  1835.  From  that  date  the  society  had  no  settled  pastor,  and  we 
find  by  the  records  a  vote  was  passed  at  a  meeting  held  May  28,  1838, 
to  unite  with  the  Second  Universalist  Society,  organized  at  that  time, 
—  the  First  Universalist  Society,  holding  their  meetings  in  the  North 
Parish,  since  set  off  into  a  township  and  known  as  North  Reading.  As 
a  result  of  the  union  above  stated,  a  vote  was  passed  to  settle  Rev.  Chas. 
Gallagher,  and  from  that  date  the  two  societies  merged  into  one,  and 
took  the  name  of  the  "Second  I  niversalist  Society"  of  Reading.  Rev. 
G.  G.  Strickland  became  their  pastor  in  1840,  and  continued  till  1843, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Mr.  Waitt ;  and  his  preaching,  with 
occasional  sermons,  is  all  the  record  gives  for  a  few  years  —  then  the 
building  was  vacated  by  both  society  and  school,  sold  and  transformed 
into  a  dwelling-house,  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Gould  Richardson, 
Esq.,  standing  near  the  original  location,  the  land  reverting  to  the  San- 
born estate. 


222  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

But  the  movement  was  not  dead,  only  intrusted  to  the  care  of  those 
who  never  let  a  good  cause  die.  The  "  Liberal  Ladies'  Benevolent 
Association,"  dating  their  existence  from  May  14,  1840,  has  labored 
with  untiring  diligence  to  maintain  and  advance  those  truths,  and  to 
perform  that  work  which  spring  naturally  from  a  firm  belief  in  the  love 
of  Our  Father,  so  beautifully  illustrated  in  the  life  and  teachings  of 
Jesus  Christ.  Composed  of  persons  holding  different  shades  of  opin- 
ion on  many  points,  yet  allowing  to  each  perfect  freedom  of  thought, 
with  concert  in  action,  their  history  is  a  remarkable  testimony  to  the 
efficacy  of  those  ideas  that  enlarge  and  develop  us  into  the  full  stature 
of  manhood.  Always  first  in  any  forward  movement  to  sustain  and 
encourage  the  promulgation  of  truth,  they  assisted  in  keeping  the 
Second  Universalist  Society  in  being,  and  after  that  expired  they  pro- 
cured the  services  of  preachers  and  lecturers  occasionally,  until  their 
efforts,  with  others,  culminated  in  the  formation  of  a  new  organization 
in  the  year  1856,  which  took  the  name  of  the  "  First  Universalist 
Society,"  of  Reading,  holding  their  meetings  in  Lyceum  Hall,  and  call- 
ing for  their  pastor  Rev.  N.  R.  Wright,  who  labored  with  them  success- 
fully for  two  years  ;  during  that  time  he  held  the  confidence  and  affec- 
tion of  the  society  with  great  unanimity,  and  with  deep  regret  the  part- 
ing came.  Rev.  L.  M.  Burrington  was  his  successor,  who  was  called 
to  a  larger  society  after  two  and  one  half  years'  labor. 

Then  came  the  war ;  many  members  from  the  society  were  absent  on 
the  battle-fields,  weakening  the  ranks  at  home,  and  with  South  Reading 
the  society  shared  the  services  of  Rtv.  E.  A.  Eaton,  till  1865,  holding 
meetings  in  Ellsworth  Hall ;  after  which  the  two  societies  secured  the 
services  of  Rev.  W.  W.  Hayward,  who  labored  with  them  till  the  fall  of 
1867.  The  society  again  removed  to  Lyceum  Hall,  and  after  hearing 
many  good  sermons  from  as  many  good  men,  the  executive  committee 
fortunately  secured  the  services  of  Rev.  E.  B.  Fairchild  in  the  spring 
of  1868  for  the  afternoon  service,  the  morning  being  devoted  to  the 
liberal  people  of  Stoneham.  That  connection  still  exists,  and  to  it  the 
society  owes  its  present  prosperity  and  position.  Mr.  Fairchild,  being 
an  independent  preacher,  drew  from  other  churches  many  that  kept 
away  from  the  Universalists  proper  ;  and  as  the  Universalist  State 
Organization  had  engrafted  a  by-law  into  their  platform  of  government, 
which  practically  disfellowshipped  the  Reading  Society,  there  seemed 
no  other  course  to  pursue  than  to  form  an  independent  organization, 
which  was  formally  done  April  26,  1869,  with  a  basic  platform  broad 
enough  for  all  to  stand  upon,  contained  in  the  following  words,  namely : 
"A  belief  in  the  Fatherhood  of  God  and  the  Brotherhood  of  Humanity 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


223 


as  taught  by  Jesus  Christ,  and  acknowledging  him  as  Our  Teacher  and 
Guide.  Considering  this  belief  a  sufficient  bond  of  union,  we  hereby 
associate  ourselves  together  under  the  name  of  "  The  Christian  Union." 
To  this  creed  or  belief  many  members  of  the  old  organization  sub- 
scribed, and  many  from  other  sources  who  had  been  patiently  working 
and  waiting,  till  at  present  a  goodly  number,  male  and  female,  are  at 
work,  earnestly  resolved  to  establish  a  church  which  shall  be  an  expo- 
nent of  truth  as  revealed  in  all  ages,  applicable  to  the  amelioration  and 
elevation  of  mankind. 

Generous  donations  have  been  made  to  the  building  fund  from 
members  of  the  Society,  and  numerous  others  resident  in  Reading  and 
elsewhere,  testifying  in  tangible  form  to  their  real  sympathy  for,  and 
interest  in  the  work. 

The  Building  Committee  —  Edward  Safford,  Wm.  Proctor,  L.  E. 
Gleason,  S.  M.  Hall,  James  Reid,  F.  H.  Knight,  and  C.  D.  Wright  — 
were  instructed  to  purchase  a  suitable  location  and  erect  thereon  a 
church  edifice  adapted  to  the  present  and  prospective  needs  of  the 
Society. 

They  have  purchased  the  land  located  near  the  Bank  Building,  and 
have  contracted  with  Mr.  Edward  Safford  to  erect  the  building,  same 
to  be  finished  early  in  the  summer  of  1871,  the  corner-stone  of  which 
was  laid,  with  appropriate  ceremonies,  Oct.  6,  1870. 

SALEM  STREET  BAPTIST  CHURCH,  READING. 

Twenty-five  years  ago,  a  little  company,  who  had  hoped  in  the  mercy 
of  God,  residing  in  what  was  then  known  as  West  Reading,  not  having 
full  fellowship  for  the  standing  order,  and  believing  that  there  was  a 
more  excellent  way  for  church  building,  felt  impressed  to  commence 
religious  services  after  the  manner  that  some  in  those  days  called 
heresy. 

Having  held  services  for  a  short  season  in  private  dwellings,  and 
believing  it  beneficial  to  have  a  more  public  place  for  their  meetings,  it 
was  decided  to  make  application  for  the  hall  which  had  formerly  been 
known  as  the  Orthodox  meeting-house,  but  which  had  been  vacated  by 
them  for  a  more  convenient  place  of  worship.  For  this  purpose  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed,  but  on  application  to  the  owner  of  the  land,  to 
know  if  there  was  anything  in  the  way  to  prevent  the  Baptists  having 
the  use  of  the  hall,  they  were  given  to  understand,  if  the  Baptists 
wished  to  hold  meetings,  they  had  better  build  them  a  meeting- 
house. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  weeks  the  school-house  in  the  west  part  of  the 


224 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


town  was  opened  for  meetings  ;  but  soon  a  district  meeting  was  called, 
when  it  was  voted  to  close  the  house  against  the  sect  which  was  every- 
where spoken  against.  At  the  close  of  this  meeting,  a  gentleman  not 
particularly  interested  for  the  Baptists,  but  who  took  a  little  broader 
view  than  many  in  that  day,  said  to  the  Moderator,  "  I  think  you  have 
made  a  mistake.  I  never  thought  they  would  have  a  society  here,  — 
but  now  I  think  they  will  have  one."  That  gentleman  is  now  one  of 
the  most  able  men  in  the  society,  and  has  long  been  a  member  of 
the  church. 

A  private  house  was  opened  in  the  vicinity  of  the  school-house, 
belonging  to  a  member  of  the  parish  of  the  standing  order,  who  was 
soon  counselled  not  to  open  his  doors  for  these  people,  lest  mis- 
chief should  grow  out  of  it.  He,  however,  replied,  "  The  house  is 
mine,  and  paid  for ;  and  if  they  want  to  have  meetings  there,  they  are 
welcome." 

Finding  there  was  a  probability  that  the  Baptists  would  get  a  footing 
in  the  place,  the  next  step  was  to  buy  out  the  leading  man  among  them, 
hoping  he  would  thereby  be  induced  to  leave  the  place.  For  the  ac- 
complishment of  this  object,  a  very  liberal  offer  was  made,  but  the 
stubborn  Baptist  would  not  sell.  Another  course  was  subsequently 
taken,  but  the  Baptists  would  not  budge  an  inch.  The  Baptist  children 
attended  the  Sabbath  school  of  the  order,  that  being  the  only  Sunday 
school,  and  recited,  as  was  the  custom  in  those  days,  to  the  minister, 
from  the  Assembly's  Catechism.  A  revival  of  religion  occurred  about 
this  time.  Among  the  rest,  one  of  the  Baptist's  children  indulged  a 
hope.  Soon  a  tract  on  Sprinkling  was  put  into  her  hands.  ,As  an  off- 
set for  this  act  of  kindness,  she,  without  the  knowledge  of  her  father, 
found  "  Pengilly  on  Baptism,"  and  gave  it  to  the  friend  who  had  mani- 
fested so  much  interest  for  her.  This  little  act  produced  a  wonderful 
effect  upon  the  minds  of  many,  so  much  so  that  the  validity  of  infant 
baptism  was  questioned  among  those  who  had  received  it  themselves, 
or  had  had  it  administered  to  their  children  ;  while  some,  at  least,  who 
retained  their  standing  in  the  church,  became  fully  satisfied  that  there 
was  no  warrant  in  the  Scriptures  for  infant  baptism.  So  wide-spread 
was  this  heresy,  that  several  brethren  in  the  ministry  were  requested  to 
visit  the  place  and  preach  in  defence  of  the  practices  of  the  church, 
particularly  infant  baptism. 

The  result  of  spreading  Pengilly 's  silent  pages  before  the  people, 
was  an  examination  of  the  Scriptures  on  the  subject  of  Believers'  bap- 
tism, the  renunciation  of  former  baptism  by  affusion,  and  the  baptism 
of  some  who  were  then  members  of  the  standing  order,  causing  them 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  RE  ADI 'NG. 


22$ 


to  sever  their  connection  with  them  and  unite  with  the  Baotis's.  Others, 
who  indulged  hopes  at  the  time,  because  of  their  family  relations,  did 
not  feel  free  to  unite  with  the  Baptists,  and  had  refrained  from  making 
a  public  profession  of  religion. 

In  July,  1832,  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Br.  Amos  Evans, 
for  the  purpose  of  consulting  upon  the  expediency  of  forming  a  Bap- 
tist church.  Br.  Evans  was  called  to  preside.  After  spending  a 
season  in  prayer,  the  subject  was  discussed  in  a  fraternal  manner.  At 
an  adjourned  meeting,  Bros.  Evans  and  Hunnewell  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  obtain  a  room  for  the  purpose  of  holding  Baptist  meet- 
ings. The  proprietors  of  the  Unitarian  house  having  learned  of  the 
difficulty  under  which  the  Baptists  labored,  offered  to  them  the  use  of 
their  hall  for  lectures  on  Sabbath  and  other  evenings.  This  offer  was 
gratefully  accepted  ;  for  the  use  of  which  they  paid  $20.  At  a  meeting 
held  August  i4th,  it  was  agreed  to  unite  in  forming  a  Baptist  Church  in 
Reading,  and  a  council  for  the  purpose  of  recognizing  them  as  a  regular 
Baptist  Church,  was  called  from  the  following  churches,  to  convene  on 
the  second  Wednesday  in  September,  at  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.  :  First  Bap- 
tist Church,  in  Salem  ;  Third  Church,  in  Boston  ;  Churches  in  Maiden, 
South  Reading,  Woburn,  and  North  Reading. 

The  council  convened  at  the  house  of  Br.  Amos  Evans,  where,  after 
prayer  and  mature  deliberation,  it  was  unanimously  agreed  to  recognize 
the  following  named  persons  as  a  regular  Baptist  Church,  to  wit :  Amos 
Evans,  Eben  Eaton,  Timothy  Temple,  Seth  Hunnewell,  Abner  Ban- 
croft, Warren  Richardson,  Mary  Weston,  Cynthia  Weston,  Sarah  P. 
Brown,  Hannah  Berry,  Elmira  Symonds,  Beulah  Richardson,  Mary 
Pratt,  Sally  Pratt,  Olivia  Evans,  Jonathan  Pratt.  Total,  16. 

The  public  service  of  recognition  was  held  in  the  Unitarian  meeting- 
house. Sermon  by  the  Rev.  Daniel  Sharp,  of  Boston.  The  church 
united  with  the  Boston  Association  the  same  month. 

Sept.  23,  Mary  Colburn  and  Caroline  Wiley  were  unanimously  re- 
ceived for  baptism,  and  were  baptized  by  the  Rev.  Joshua  Bradley,  of 
Ohio,  in  South  Reading  Pond,  because  there  was  much  water  there. 

In  May,  1833,  an  effort  was  made  to  raise  funds  for  the  purpose  of 
building  a  house  of  worship,  —  but  receiving  no  encouragement  from 
abroad,  the  subject  was  deferred  to  another  year. 

In  1834,  the  prejudice  of  the  people  so  fav  subsided  that  the  Church 
obtained  permission  to  hold  meetings  in  the  West  School-house,  and 
succeeded  in  securing  the  services  of  Br.  Bohan  P.  Byram  to  preach 
on  the  Lord's  day.  His  labors  were  greatly  blessed,  to  the  encourage- 
ment of  God's  people  and  the  awakening  of  sinners.  The  subject 
29 


226  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

of  building  was  again  agitated,  but  in  consequence  of  a  prostration  of 
business,  it  was  again  postponed.  A  year  of  peculiar  trial  to  this  little 
band  followed,  but  through  faith  they  still  persevered. 

In  July,  1835,  Miss  M.  D.  Symonds  was  baptized  by  Rev.  I.  Sawyer, 
greatly  to  the  encouragement  of  the  church.  Another  young  lady  had 
offered  herself  for  baptism,  and  was  accepted,  when,  having  prepared 
herself  for  the  ordinance,  and  while  on  the  way  to  the  water,  she  was 
overtaken  by  her  father,  who  charged  the  good  deacon,  as  he  was 
carrying  her  in  his  carriage,  with  stealing  away  his  child,  —  a  charge  the 
deacon  did  by  no  means  relish,  as  he  abhors  man-stealing  even  among 
Afric's  sons.  The  daughter  returned  home  without  being  baptized,  as 
the  brethren  advised,  but  a  few  years  afterwards  united  with  the  Baptist 
church,  in  Boston. 

The  names  of  brethren  in  the  ministry — Train,  Nelson,  Ropes,  and 
others — are  held  in  grateful  remembrance  for  sermons  preached  and 
words  of  encouragement  spoken  to  the  little  company,  who  were  strug- 
gling and  trying  to  surmount  the  waves  of  opposition  that  rolled  against 
them.  Many,  it  is  true,  had  an  itching  desire  to  hear  what  these  strange 
men  would  say,  but  fear  kept  a  portion  of  them  away,  while  a  few 
would  venture  in  and  listen  to  the  strange  Baptist  preachers. 

In  1836  it  was  voted  to  build  a  house  of  worship,  at  an  expense  not 
exceeding  $2,500.  Brothers  E.  Eaton,  A.  Bancroft,  S.  Hunnewell,  A. 
Evans,  and  T.  Temple  were  appointed  a  building  committee,  and  very 
obedient  were  they  to  their  instructions, — the  contract  amounting  to 
twenty-four  hundred  ninety-nine  dollars  and  twenty-one  cents. 

The  meeting-house  was  dedicated  in  October  of  the  same  year.  The 
following  was  the  order  of  services  :  Introductory  prayer,  by  Rev. 
William  Heath;  sermon,  by  Rev.  Baron  Stow,  of  Boston;  prayer  of 
dedication,  by  Rev.  Isaac  Sawyer,  of  South  Reading.  In  the  same 
month  a  Sabbath  school  was  organized,  numbering  fifty  children,  be- 
sides teachers,  and  a  library  of  one  hundred  volumes  was  provided  for 
the  use  of  the  school. 

March  17,  1837,  Br.  Jonathan  Pratt  died,  aged  67  years,  having  pre- 
viously buried  his  wife  and  daughter,  who  were  members  of  this  church. 
On  the  day  of  his  death  he  sent  for  the  officers  of  the  church  and  gave 
them  a  note  of  ninety-eight  dollars,  for  money  he  had  advanced  for  the 
meeting-house,  over  and  above  the  shares  he  had  previously  taken  in 
said  house,  to  be  appropriated  for  the  use  of  the  church ;  thus  evincing 
to  the  last  the  interest  he  had  felt  for  their  welfare.  He  lived  a  life  cf 
piety,  and  had  hope  in  his  death. 

In  April,  1837,  this  infant  church  had  the  pleasure  of  sending  one 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


227 


of  its  number  —  Mrs.  J.  C.  Pratt,  formerly  Miss  Evans  —  as  a 
missionary  among  the  aborigines  of  our  country,  where  she  and  her 
husband  still  reside. 

In  the  following  June,  Rev.  Henry  Smith  was  ordained  as  the  first 
pastor  of  the  church.  An  interesting  work  of  grace  was  enjoyed 
during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Smith.  Fourteen  were  added  by  baptism. 
Mr.  Smith  resigned  his  office  as  pastor  May  4,  1838.  In  September, 
1841,  Br.  Thomas  M.  Symonds  was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel. 

During  1841,  Rev.  O.  Cunningham  supplied  the  pulpit. 

In  1842,  Rev.  I.  Woodbury  entered  upon  the  pastoral  duties  of 
the  church.  Eleven  were  added  by  baptism,  and  a  number  by  letter, 
during  his  ministry. 

In  1843,  RGV'  John  Upton  supplied  the  pulpit.  Four  were  baptized 
this  year. 

In  1845,  Rev.  J.  G.  Townsend  became  pastor.  Five  were  added  by 
baptism  during  his  pastorate. 

In  1848,  Rev.  John  Cookson  was  publicly  recognized  as  pastor. 
During  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Cookson,  the  meeting-house  was  enlarged 
by  the  addition  of  sixteen  pews.  Eighteen  were  baptized,  and  several 
received  by  letter  during  his  pastorate,  which  he  closed  in  1852. 

In  1851,  Br.  Thomas  M.  Symonds  was  publicly  set  apart,  by  the 
laying  on  of  hands,  for  the  solemn  work  of  preaching  Christ,  as  a  mis- 
sionary at  the  West.  This  was  the  second  missionary  this  church  has 
been  privileged  to  send  to  the  West. 

For  two  years  the  church  was  destitute  of  a  pastor.  Two  were 
added  by  baptism. 

In  1854,  the  church  called  the  Rev.  E.  K.  Fuller  to  the  pastoral 
office.  He  entered  upon  his  duties  the  first  of  April,  since  which 
time  twelve  have  been  added  by  baptism,  and  a  number  by  letter. 
There  have  been  connected  with  this  church,  since  its  organization, 
one  hundred  and  sixty-three  persons.  Some,  we  believe,  are  now  in 
heaven,  adoring  the  grace  that  constrained  them  to  come  to  the 
Saviour;  others  are  connected  with  churches  in  other  parts  of  the 
world,  and  some,  we  fear,  have  made  shipwreck  of  the  faith.  The 
present  number  is  seventy-seven. 

The  Sabbath  school  numbers  1 18,  with  a  library  of  near  600  volumes. 

During  the  last  year  we  have  raised  the  meeting-house,  and  completed 
two  very  convenient  vestries,  at  an  expense  of  rising  $1,200,  for  which 
we  are  happy  to  say  no  debt  lingers,  to  make  us  regret  that  we  under- 
took the  work.  Hitherto  the  Lord  hath  helped  us,  and  our  hope  is 
still  in  the  God  of  Israel. 


228  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

In  closing  this  hasty  sketch,  we  are  happy  to  say  that  much  of  that 
prejudice  which  formerly  existed  against  the  Baptists  in  this  town  has 
passed  away;  so  much  so,  that  "material  aid"  has  been  voluntarily 
contributed  to  the  Baptist  cause  by  individuals  connected  with  all  the 
other  societies  in  the  town,  for  which  we  feel  grateful,  and  would  thank 
God  and  take  courage,  saying,  "  In  the  time  of  trouble  Thou  heardst 
us  from  Heaven,  and  according  to  Thy  manifold  mercies  hath  pros- 
pered and  brought  us  on  our  way.  Therefore  we  will  still  trust  in 
Thee." 

The  officers  of  the  church  in  1857  were  Rev.  Edward  K.  Fuller, 
pastor ;  Amos  Evans  and  Eben  Eaton,  deacons ;  E.  Eaton,  treasurer, 
and  Newton  Symonds,  clerk. 

The  pastorate  of  Rev..E.  K.  Fuller  closed  in  April,  1858.  Rev. 
A.  M.  Higgins  commenced  his  labors  in  May,  1858,  and  resigned 
the  pastorate  in  March,  1859.  Three  were  added  by  baptism  during 
his  ministry.  In  May,  1859,  Rev.  William  R.  Davy  accepted  the  pas- 
torate of  the  church,  and  labored  with  success  until  compelled  by  ill- 
health  to  resign  in  February,  1863.  The  church  had  preaching  by 
supplies  until  July,  1865,  when  Rev.  H.  P.  Guilford  became  pastor;  the 
church  received  large  accessions  during  his  ministry,  which  closed  in 
April,  1867. 

In  June,  1867,  Rev.  T.  W.  Crawley  was  publicly  recognized  pastor 
of  the  church,  which  relation  continued  until  April,  1869. 

In  January,  1870,  Rev.  Luther  D.  Hill,  the  present  incumbent,  was 
publicly  recognized  pastor. 

Our  present  number,  116. 

The  officers  of  the  church  are :  Rev.  Luther  D.  Hill,  pastor ;  Amos 
Evans,  J.  R.  Morton,  Robert  C.  Totten,  deacons  ;  Charles  C.  Man- 
ning, treasurer,  and  Newton  Symonds,  clerk.] 

THE  SECOND  ADVENT  SOCIETY,  OF  WAKEFIELD, 

Was    organized  in   1844.      Place  of   worship,  the  hall  in   the  Bank 
Building,  and  are  without  a  settled  pastor. 

THE  ST.  JOSEPH'S  CHURCH  (ROMAN  CATHOLIC),  OF  WAKEFIELD, 
Was  organized  in   1856.     Their  meeting-house  is  on  or  near  Albion 
Street.     Rev.  W.  H.  Fitzpatrick,  pastor. 

THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  AND   SOCIETY  OF  WAKEFIELD. 

In  the  month  of  January,  1865,  arrangements  were  made  for  holding 

Methodist  Episcopal  services  on  each  Sabbath  evening  in  the  Town 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  22 Q 

Hall,  in  South  Reading.  These  services  were  commenced  and  contin- 
ued until  the  following  spring  by  the  gratuitous  labors  of  several 
Methodist  preachers  residing  in  Boston  and  vicinity. 

In  April,  1865,  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  a  number  of  the 
citizens  of  the  town,  a  petition  was  sent  to  the  New  England  Confer- 
ence, then  holding  its  session  in  Cambridge,  for  a  preacher,  and  the 
call  was  responded  to  by  sending  Rev.  Thomas  C.  Potter. 

About  this  time  the  vestry  of  the  Universalist  church  was  secured  as 
a  place  of  worship,  and  services  were  held  on  each  Sabbath  afternoon 
and  evening. 

At  a  Quarterly  Conference,  held  June  4,  1865,  called  by  Rev.  Aaron 
D.  Sargent,  Presiding  Elder,  of  Lynn  District,  a  church  was  organized, 
embracing  a  membership  of  twenty-six  persons. 

Mr.  Potter  labored  with  great  acceptability  as  pastor  of  this  church 
for  a  year  and  three  or  four  months,  when  he  was  compelled  to  resign 
the  pastorate  on  account  of  failing  health. 

He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Andrew  Gray,  who  labored  as  a  supply 
until  April,  1867,  when  Rev.  Daniel  Atkins  succeeded  to  the  pastorate, 
by  appointment  of  the  New  England  Annual  Conference. 

In  June,  1869,  the  members  of  this  church,  in  reviewing  the  first  four 
years  of  their  history,  were  enabled  to  say,  with  devout  thanks  to  the 
Great  Head  of  the  Church,  that  their  labors  had  not  been  in  vain  in 
the  Lord,  as  the  number  of  members  reported  in  full  was  forty-seven, 
and  the  number  on  probation  nineteen,  and  their  prospects  for  the 
future  highly  encouraging. 

The  society  purchased  the  Albion  Hall  Building,  a  large  structure, 
centrally  situated,  of  capacity  sufficient  to  afford  a  commodious  hall  in 
the  second  story,  for  worship,  a  store  in  the  front  part  of  the  lower 
story,  with  other  convenient  rooms  for  a  tenement 

Mrs.  Lucy  P.  Jennings,  recently  deceased,  bequeathed  to  the  Society 
some  $2,100,  which  will  give  it  very  timely  aid. 

Rev.  M.  B.  Chapman,  a  young  man  of  fine  abilities,  was  appointed 
to  the  charge  in  1870.  Under  his  labors  the  congregation  was  largely 
increased,  and  an  interesting  revival  was  enjoyed. 

At  the  close  of  the  second  year,  Mr.  Chapman  was  removed,  at  his 
own  request,  to  another  field  of  labor,  very  much  to  the  regret  of  his 
numerous  friends. 

In  1872,  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  C.  L.  McCurdy,  was  appointed  as 
the  successor  of  Mr.  Chapman.  It  soon  became  apparent  to  Mr. 
McCurdy  that  the  hall  owned  by  the  society  was  altogether  too  small  to 
accommodate  the  people  who  enjoy  that  form  of  worship  practised  by 


230 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


the  Methodists.  It  was  therefore  determined,  after  much  deliberation 
and  earnest  prayer  to  God  for  his  blessing,  to  erect  a  suitable  house  of 
worship  for  the  better  accommodation  of  those  who  may  wish  to  wait 
upon  our  ministry.  After  a  sermon  by  the  pastor  upon  the  subject,  a 
subscription  was  raised  sufficient,  with  the  property  held  by  the  trustees, 
to  authorize  them  to  proceed  in  its  erection.  At  a  regular  meeting  of 
the  trustees  it  was  voted  unanimously  that  the  following  persons  con- 
stitute the  building  committee,  viz. :  Jacob  T.  Cooper,  Thomas  Green, 
Joseph  S.  Johnson,  James  Westgate,  and  C.  L.  McCurdy. 

The  following  persons  constitute  the  Board  of  Trustees :  Rev.  L.  D. 
Bragg,  of  Lynn  ;  Hon.  Liverus  Hull,  of  Charlestown  ;  Cyrus  Wakefield, 
Esq.,  John  A.  Tyler,  John  Howlett,  Dimon  Emmons,  Matthew  Boothby, 
Jacob  T.  Cooper,  and  Joseph  S.  Johnson.  The  church  is  now 
being  built,  and  is  in  quite  a  state  of  forwardness.  The  main  building 
is  about  50  feet  by  75,  and  will  contain  seating  capacity  for  nearly 
600  adults.  The  design  is  by  J.  B.  Samuels,  of  Boston,  an  architect 
favorably  known  in  connection  with  many  churches  in  the  State.  The 
architectural  treatment  is  a  rendering  of  the  Swiss  timber  construction 
adapted  to  the  fourteenth  century,  Gothic  outline.  The  roof  is  in  two 
pitches,  giving  the  external  effect,  of  nave  and  side  aisles,  while  the 
outline  of  the  side  is  picturesquely  broken  up  by  the  extension  of  the 
side  windows  above  the  wall  plate.  On  one  corner  of  the  front  is 
a  graceful  spire,  130  feet  in  height,  and  surmounted  by  a  vane  and 
gilt  ball.  The  roof  and  spire  are  covered  with  alternate  bands  of 
eastern  and  green  slates.  The  interior  finish  is  of  ash  and  black 
walnut.  The  organ  and  choir  are  located  in  the  chancel,  in  front  of 
which  are  the  pulpit  and  altar  enclosure,  and  at  the  opposite  end,  over 
the  ample  and  commodious  front  vestibule,  a  small  gallery  communicat- 
ing with  both  the  audience-room  and  basement  floor.  The  basement 
is  divided  into  a  large  vestry,  small  vestry,  and  smaller  rooms  for  other 
purposes,  not  the  least  important  being  a  kitchen.  The  building  is 
under  contract  to  the  firm  of  Mead,  Mason  &  Co.,  and  will  probably 
be  ready  for  occupancy  during  the  season  of  1874. 

CONSTITUTION,  OR    ARTICLES    OF    ASSOCIATION   OF  THE   PARISH   OF 
EMMANUEL  CHURCH,  WAKEFIELD,  MASSACHUSETTS. 

Whereas  :  The  undersigned  have  associated  themselves  together  for 
the  purpose  of  worshipping  Almighty  God,  according  to  the  faith  and 
discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  have  for  that  purpose  formed  a  parish  at  Wakefield,  in 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  HEADING. 

the  County  of  Middlesex  ;  they  therefore  declare  the  following  to  be  the 
objects,  conditions,  and  articles  of  their  said  association,  namely :  — 

First,  The  name  of  this  association  shall  be  "THE  PARISH  OF 
EMMANUEL  CHURCH,  WAKEFIELD." 

Second.  This  parish  acknowledges  itself  to  be  a  member  of,  and  to 
belong  to,  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  in  the  Diocese  of  Massachusetts.  As  such,  it  accedes 
to,  recognizes,  and  adopts  the  constitution,  canons,  doctrine,  discipline, 
and  worship  of  said  Church,  and  acknowledges  the  authority  of  the 
same  accordingly. 

Third.  Any  person  of  the  age  of  eighteen  years  who  has  subscribed 
or  acceded  to  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  of  the  Parish,  and  who 
has  aided  in  maintaining  public  worship  therein,  for  a  period  of  twelve 
months,  immediately  preceding  any  meeting,  either  by  regular  attend- 
ance thereon,  or  by  pecuniary  aid  in  hiring  a  sitting  or  otherwise,  shall 
be  considered  a  member  of  the  Parish,  and  entitled  to  vote  in  all  its 
affairs,  while  he  continues  such  member. 

Fourth.  The  Rector  of  this  Parish  shall  be  elected  by  the  members 
thereof,  unless  the  By-Laws  otherwise  provide  ;  but  no  person  shall  be 
eligible  to  that  office,  unless  he  shall  have  had  Episcopal  ordination, 
and  unless  he  be  in  full  standing  with  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
aforesaid,  and  recognized  as  such  by  the  Bishop  of  this  Diocese,  or  in 
case  of  a  vacancy,  by  the  Standing  Committee  of  the  Diocese. 

Fifth.  All  the  property  of  this  Parish  shall  be  taken  and  held,  sub- 
ject to  the  control  and  disposition  of  the  Vestry  of  the  same,  but  shall 
not  be  sold  or  conveyed  without  the  vote  of  the  Parish. 

Sixth.  This  constitution  may  be  amended  as  follows :  Any  proposed 
amendment  shall  be  submitted  to  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  and  upon 
its  recommendation,  shall  be  submitted  to  a  meeting  of  the  Parish,  and, 
if  approved  by  the  same,  shall  be  deemed  and  taken  to  be  a  part  of 
this  constitution. 

BY-LAWS. 

SECTION  i.  The  annual  meeting  shall  be  held  on  Monday,  in  Easter 
week,  in  the  church,  chapel,  place  of  worship,  or  such  place  as  the 
Wardens  may  appoint ;  at  which  meeting,  or  at  any  adjournment  there- 
of, any  business  may  be  transacted  without  any  previous  notice  thereof. 
Notice  of  this  meeting  shall  be  posted  seven  days  prior  thereto  on  the 
church  door,  and  given  from  the  chancel  on  the  Sunday  previous,  by 
the  clergyman  officiating.  All  meetings  shall  be  opened  with  prayer. 

SECT.  2.  Special  meetings  shall  be  called  by  the  Rector,  Wardens, 
or  by  three  members  of  the  Vestry,  whenever  they  deem  it  advisable, 


232 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


or  whenever  so  requested  in  writing,  either  by  the  Rector  or  any  five 
members  of  the  Parish ;  but  at  special  meetings  no  business  shall  be 
transacted  unless  specified  in  the  notice  calling  the  same.  Such  meet- 
ings shall  be  notified  by  the  Clerk,  and  by  publication  from  the  chancel, 
eight  days  at  least  before  the  same  is  held. 

SECT.  3.  At  all  meetings  of  the  Parish,  the  Rector,  if  present,  or  in 
his  absence,  one  of  the  Wardens  shall  preside;  in  their  absence,  a 
temporary  presiding  officer  shall  be  chosen  by  the  members  present. 

SECT.  4.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Parish,  five  members  shall  constitute 
a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business,  but  any  less  number  may 
adjourn  such  meeting. 

SECT.  5.  At  the  annual  meeting,  or  at  any  adjournment  thereof, 
there  shall  be  chosen  two  Wardens,  who  shall  also  act  as  Assessors,  a 
Treasurer  and  Collector,  a  Clerk,  and  such  number  of  Vestrymen,  not 
exceeding  twelve,  as  may  be  determined  by  the  members  present ;  all 
of  whom  shall  constitute  the  Vestry.  Such  election  to  be  in  all  cases 
by  ballot,  and  the  person  having  the  highest  number  of  ballots  shall  be 
elected.  T*he  officers  so  elected  to  serve  until  the  next  annual  meet- 
ing, and  until  others  are  elected  in  their  stead.  Any  vacancies  may  be 
filled  by  the  Vestry.  Delegates  to  the  Diocesan  Convention  shall  be 
chosen  at  the  annual  meeting,  by  ballot,  or  as  the  members  present  may 
determine. 

SECT.  6.  The  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  shall  have  the  management 
and  oversight  of  all  the  temporal  affairs  of  the  Parish,  and  shall,  in 
connection  with  the  Rector,  make  necessary  preparations  for  public 
worship,  and  for  the  music  at  the  same.  They  shall  meet  as  often  as 
once  in  every  three  months,  and  whenever  requested  by  the  Rector  or 
Wardens  or  by  three  Vestrymen.  At  each  meeting  the  record  of  the 
previous  meeting  shall  be  read  and  approved,  or  amended.  The  Rector 
shall  be  notified  of  the  meetings  of  the  Vestry,  and  if  present  shall 
preside,  and  be  entitled,  in  common  with  each  member  of  the  Vestry, 
to  one  vote. 

SECT.  7.  The  Clerk  shall  keep  a  true  record  of  all  the  proceedings 
of  the  Parish,  and  also  of  doings  of  the  Wardens  and  Vestry,  in  suit- 
able books  for  that  purpose.  At  any  Parish  meeting  any  member  may 
call  for  the  reading  of  the  records  of  the  Vestry  meeting  for  the  preced- 
ing year. 

SECT.  8.  The  Treasurer  shall  keep  a  true  account  of  all  moneys 
received  and  paid  out  by  him,  and  present  a  full  account  thereof  and  of 
the  financial  condition  of  the  Parish,  at  each  annual  meeting,  and  such 
account  shall  be  audited  and  approved  by  the  Wardens  and  Vestry- 
men, or  a  committee-thereof. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


233 


SECT.  9.  These  By-Laws  may  be  altered,  amended,  or  repealed,  at 
any  regular  meeting  of  the  Parish,  by  a  majority  of  the  legal  members 
present ;  provided,  notice  thereof  is  set  forth  in  the  notice  calling  the 
meeting. 

MOSES  P.  PARKER,  Parish  Clerk. 

Rev.  SAMUEL  R.  SLACK,  Rector.  E.  J.  WALTON,  Treas. 

To  the  Convention  of  the  Diocese  of  Massachusetts  assembled  in   Christ 
Church,  Springfield,  Wednesday,  May  10,  A.  D.  1871. 

The  undersigned,  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  the  Parish  of  Em- 
manuel Church,  in  the  Town  of  Wakefield,  and  County  of  Middlesex, 
in  accordance  with  Article  IV  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Church  in  this 
Diocese,  hereby  certify  that  the  foregoing  Articles  of  Association  or 
Constitution,  and  the  accompanying  By-Laws,  were  adopted  by  the  said 
Parish  of  Emmanuel  Church,  on  Easter  Monday,  April  10,  A.  D.  1871, 
having  been  reported  to  the  Parish  by  a  committee  appointed  at  the 
previous  Easter  meeting,  A.  D.  1870. 

The  undersigned  further  certify  that  the  said  Parish  has  "been  duly 
organized  for  the  space  of  one  year,"  and  "  during  that  time  have  held 
regular  public  services,"  and  that  they  accede  to  the  Constitution  and 
Canons  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  in  the  Diocese  of  Massachusetts. 

And  the  undersigned  respectfully  ask  to  be  admitted  into  union  with 
the  Diocese  of  Massachusetts. 

SAMUEL  T.  PARKER,  Sent*   Mr. u  den. 
JOHN  A.  SYMONDS,  Junior  Warden. 


JOHN  McKAY, 

JOHN  C.  AVERY, 

JOHN  R.  MANSFIELD,  M.  D., 

GEORGE  E.  HOWARD, 

CYRUS  WAKEFIELD, 


G.  M.  TOMPSON, 
WM.  J.  BRIDGER, 
G.  E.  TIBBETTS, 
J.  HENNIGAR, 
ROBERT  WORRALL, 
DANIEL  G.  WALTON, 


Vestrymen. 


234 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


IN  CONVENTION  OF  THE  DIOCESE,  May  n,  A.  D.  1871. 
"  The  Committee  on  New  Parishes  presented  an  additional  report, 
recommending  the   admission  of  Emmanuel  Church,  Wakefield,  into 
union  with  the  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  Emmanuel  Church,  Wakefield,  be  admitted  into  union 
with  this  Convention. 

The  Secretary  called  over  the  names  of  the  Delegates  from  the 
above-mentioned  Parish,  as  follows  :  — 

f  SAMUEL  T.  PARKER, 

EMMANUEL  CHURCH,  WAKEFIELD.  \  JOHN  R.  MANSFIELD,  M.D. 

VjoHN  A.  SYMONDS." 

Services,  according  to  the  usages  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
have  been  occasionally  held  in  South  Reading  (now  Wakefield)  during 
a  period  of  about  twenty-five  years.  The  Rev.  William  T.  Smithett, 
then  rector  of  Christ  Church,  Boston,  resided  here  some  twenty  years 
since,  and  occasionally  officiated:  The  late  Rev.  Frederick  S.  Wiley, 
rector  of  Christ  Church,  New  York,  a  native  of  the  town,  son  of  our 
honored  and  venerable  fellow-citizen,  B.  B.  Wiley,  Esq.,  and  himself,  at 
the  time  of  his  early  and  lamented  death,  already  distinguished  for  his 
intellectual  endowments,  as  well  as  for  the  beauty  of  his  Christian  char- 
acter, was  accustomed  to  officiate  when  he  returned  to  his  early  home. 
Other  clergymen,  from  time  to  time,  held  services  according  to  the 
usages  of  this  venerable  church,  the  successor  of  the  Church  of  England 
in  these  States.  They  were  generally  observed  in  the  building  which 
has  given  place  to  the  new  and  elegant  Town  Hall.  In  1869,  several 
of  the  clergy  of  the  Eastern  Convocation  of  the  Episcopal  Church  of 
Massachusetts  commenced  regular  services  here,  occupying  the  lecture- 
room  of  the  Universalist  Church,  and  the  enterprise  became  a  mission 
of  that  association.  At  Easter,  1870,  the  Rev.  Samuel  R.  Slack,  for- 
merly rector  of  St.  Thomas  Church,  Newark,  Del.,  and  of  Fredericks- 
ville  Parish,  Virginia,  accepted  an  appointment  to  the  mission,  and  the 
congregation,  at  the  same  time,  organized  itself  into  a  parish,  and  in 
1871  was  admitted  into  union  with  the  Diocese  of  Massachusetts. 
Services  were  held  in  the  old  Town  Hall  until  the  winter  of  1870,  when 
the  new  hall  belonging  to  Mr.  D.  G.  Walton  was  permanently  engaged 
for  divine  worship.  This  place  has  sometimes  been  found  too  small 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  congregation,  and  it  is  believed,  if  the 
congregation,  with  their  friends  elsewhere,  should  undertake  the  erec- 
tion of  a  more  commodious  edifice,  for  ecclesiastical  purposes  solely, 
the  numbers  and  strength  of  this  parish  would  be  greatly  augmented. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


235 


Mr.  Slack  resigned  the  parish  on  Trinity  Sunday,  June  i,  1873, 
having  removed  to  Salem. 

THE  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  OF  READING, 

Was  organized  Thursday  evening,  Feb.  27,  1873.  Application  for 
this  object  had  been  made  the  year  before  to  the  Presbytery  of  Bos- 
ton, sitting  at  East  Boston.  Accordingly,  a  committee  consisting  of 
Rev.  Abraham  S.  Gardiner,  of  Jamaica  Plain,  and  Rev.  Wm.  A.  Mc- 
Corkle  and  Elder  Reuben  Crooke,  of  Boston,  was  appointed  to  visit 
the  field  and  to  report  at  the  next  regular  meeting  of  Presbytery. 
During  the  summer  of  1872,  Rev.  A.  S.  Gardiner  preached  several 
times  at  Reading,  and  in  the  fall  following  accepted  an  invitation  to 
take  charge  of  the  new  enterprise  with  a  view  to  its  development  into 
a  Presbyterian  church.  At  the  fall  meeting  of  Presbytery  held  at  New 
Boston,  N.  H.,  Rev.  Mr.  Gardiner  resigned  his  place  on  the  Presbyte- 
rial  Committee,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Dunn,  of  Boston. 
The  committee  made  a  report,  and  were  then  directed  to  revisit  the 
field,  and,  the  way  being  clear,  to  organize  a  Presbyterian  church. 
During  the  succeeding  winter  the  services  continued  to  be  conducted 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Gardiner. 

The  church  at  its  organization  consisted  of  twenty  members.  Messrs. 
Sherman  Case  and  Chas.  C.  Frost  were  elected  and  ordained  Ruling 
Elders.  Rev.  Abraham  S.  Gardiner  was  unanimously  chosen  pastor. 

At  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  held  at  the  Third  Pres.  Ch.,  Boston, 
in  April  following,  the  church  was  enrolled,  and  arrangements  were 
made  for  the  installation  of  the  pastor  elect.  By  invitation  the  instal- 
lation took  place  at  the  Bethesda  Congregational  Church,  Wednesday 
evening,  May  7,  1873. 

The  congregation  was  incorporated  as  a  society  during  the  follow- 
ing June.  In  July  and  August,  steps  were  taken  towards  the  erection 
of  a  suitable  edifice  for  public  worship.  A  committee  consisting  of 
Messrs.  C.  C.  Frost,  J.  T.  Norris,  and*  Milton  Kingman,  was  appointed, 
Aug.  25th,  to  procure  plans,  etc.,  and  to  publish  proposals  for  building. 
On  the  report  of  the  committee,  the  building  of  the  church  was  awarded 
to  The  Sturtevant  Manufacturing,  Building  and  Contracting  Co.,  Bos- 
ton. The  use  of  an  eligible  lot  on  Woburn  Street  was  granted  for  a 
term  of  years  to  the  society  by  Benjamin  Boyce,  Esq.,  of  Reading. 
The  structure  was  commenced  October,  1873,  and  was  dedicated  to 
the  service  of  God,  Tnursday  evening,  Feb.  26,  1874. 


236  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

HISTORY  OF  THE  BETHESDA  CHURCH  AND    SOCIETY,  OF  THE  TOWN 

OF  READING. 
THE  BETHESDA  SOCIETY. 

On  account  of  existing  circumstances  in  the  First  Congregational 
Society  in  the  South  Parish,  in  Reading,  it  was  thought  best  that 
another  Orthodox  society  should  be  formed.  A  paper  dated  Jan.  25, 
1849,  was  drawn  up,  inviting  all  who  wished  to  unite  in  forming  such  a 
society,  to  subscribe  their  names.  Timothy  Wakefield  and  sixty-five 
others  subscribed,  and  on  the  gih  of  April,  1849,  met  at  the  house  of 
Henry  F.  Parker  for  taking  measures  to  carry  their  plans  into  effect. 
William  Wakefield  was  chosen  moderator,  and  Oliver  Peabody,  clerk ; 
and  a  committee  of  ten,  Aaron  Parker,  chairman,  was  appointed  to 
make  application  to  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  a  warrant  to  call  a 
meeting  for  organizing  a  society.  The  warrant  was  issued  by  A.  A. 
Prescott,  Esq.,  calling  a  meeting  April  23,  1849,  which  met  at  Academy 
Hall. 

Capt.  Timothy  Wakefield  was  chosen  moderator ;  Oliver  Peabody, 
clerk ;  Timothy  Wakefield,  Aaron  Parker,  John  H.  Bancroft,  assessors ; 
Milo  Parker,  treasurer  and  collector.  It  was  voted  to  call  the  new 
organization  "  The  Bethesda  Society." 

Oliver  Peabody  continued  to  serve  as  clerk  till  his  decease  in  1855. 
His  successor  was  Stillman  E.  Parker,  who  has  served  till  the  present 
time.  Aaron  Parker  served  as  treasurer,  1850-1  ;  Loea  Parker,  1851-7  ; 
Milo  Parker,  i857~'63,  '65,  '66  ;  M.  M.  Temple,  1863-5  ;  D.  Myron 
Damon,  1867-8;  Hiram  Barrus,  i869-*74. 

J.  H.  Bancroft  served  as  collector,  1865-8;  Stillman  M.  Pratt,  1868- 
70 ;  Geo.  A.  Richardson,  1870-2  ;  Milo  Parker,  1872-4.  A  large  num- 
ber of  persons  have  served  as  assessors,  but  only  two  or  three  have 
held  the  office  for  more  than  three  years"  each.  Joel  M.  Howard  was 
elected  1860  to  1864,  five  years  in  succession,  a  longer  term  than  has 
been  served  by  any  other  person.  .  The  present  assessors  are  Joshua 
Clark,  S.  E.  Parker,  and  Joseph  S.  Temple. 

THE    MEETING-HOUSE. 

At  the  meeting  for  organizing  the  society,  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  consider  and  report  upon  the  matter  of  building  a  house  of  worship. 
This  committee  reported  at  a  parish  meeting  held  May  n,  that  they 
had  viewed  several  lots  of  land  that  could  be  obtained  for  a  church 
site,  giving  description  and  terms.  The  parish  decided  to  accept  that 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  237 

whereon  the  church  now  stands,  which  was  donated  for  that  purpose 
by  Rev.  Peter  Sanborn,  for  which  a  vote  of  thanks  was  passed. 
Timothy  Temple,  Wm.  J.  Wightman,  Mark  M.  Temple,  Samuel  W. 
Carter,  and  Wm.  Wakefield,  were  appointed  building  committee.  The 
style  of  house  approved  was  "  similar  to  the  Baptist  meeting-house  in 
Maiden,  with  a  steeple  like  one  in  Haverhill,"  at  an  estimated  cost  of 
$7,500.  The  original  lot  of  land  was  enlarged  by  subsequent  purchases 
from  Mr.  Sanborn,  for  which  $300  were  paid. 

Nov.  5,  1849,  the  parish  voted  to  reserve  a  pew  for  the  pastor  and 
one  for  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sanborn,  during  his  life,  and  to  sell  the  rest  at 
auction ;  the  choice  money  to  be  reserved  for  the  purchase  of  a  bell, 
provided  there  be  no  means  of  otherwise  obtaining  one.  • 

The  whole  cost  of  building  amounted  to  $13,138.93.  The  pews 
were  appraised  at  $13,550.  There  were  received  from  sales  $11,919.54, 
leaving  a  sufficient  number  of  pews  unsold  to  pay,  if  sold  at  their 
appraised  value,  more  than  twice  the  amount  of  remaining  indebted- 
ness. 

The  committee  close  their  final  report,  March  20,  1851,  saying,  "As 
we  look  back  upon  our  past  labors  and  contemplate  the  great  and 
numberless  blessings  that  God,  in  his  divine  goodness,  has  conferred 
on  this  society  during  the  past  two  years,  we  would,  with  feelings  of 
deep  humility  and  gratitude,  acknowledge  that  from  God  alone  have 
we  received  all  these  mercies  and  blessings,  and  would  say,  *O  that 
men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness  and  for  his  wonderful 
works  to  the  children  of  men.'  " 

The  house  was  dedicated  Jan.  i,  1850,  with  the  usual  services  in 
connection  with  the  settlement  of  the  first  pastor. 

At  a  meeting  held  Jan.  14,  1850,  it  was  voted  to  purchase  a  bell. 
The  bell  was  procured  at  a  cost  of  $637.84.  It  weighed  1,934  pounds. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  March,  1866,  plans  were  adopted  for 
enlarging  the  church  by  an  addition  in  the  rear,  which  were  carried 
into  effect  during  the  year.  The  extension  gave  room  for  the  pastor's 
study,  the  choir  and  organ  back  of  the  pulpit,  and  a  small  room  for 
meetings.  The  expense  was  a  little  over  $6,000. 

ORGANIZATION   OF    BETHESDA   CHURCH. 

An  ecclesiastical  council  was  called  to  act  on  the  application  of 
those  who  desired  to  form  a  new  church,  April  17,  1849. 

The  council  met  at  Academy  Hall,  in  heading,  and  organized  by 
choosing  Rev.  Reuben  Emerson,  of  South  Reading,  moderator,  and 
Rev.  A.  W.  McClure,  of  Maiden,  scribe. 


238 

The  request  of  the  applicants  to  be  organized  into  a  new  church  and 
their  reasons  for  desiring  a  new  organization,  were  presented  by 
Timothy  Wakefield,  Jr.,  Mark  M.  Temple,  and  John  Cheney,  a  com- 
mittee chosen  for  that  purpose.  The  reasons  being  approved  by  the 
council,  it  proceeded  to  the  organization  of  the  church,  after  the  follow- 
ing order :  — 

1.  Reading  of  the  minutes  by  the  Scribe. 

2.  Introductory  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Paine,  of  Holden. 

3.  Sermon  by  Rev.  Dr.  Kirk,  of  Boston. 

4.  Constituting  prayer  by  the  Moderator. 

5.  Consecrating  prayer  by  Rev.  Dr.  Emerson,  of  Salem. 

6.  Righfr  hand   of  fellowship   by  Rev.    Dr.  Edward   Beecher,   of 
Boston. 

7.  Concluding  prayer  by  Rev.  Dr.  Smalley,  of  Worcester. 

The  services  were  held  in  the  Baptist  church.  Four  others  joined 
the  applicants,  making  the  whole  number  constituting  the  church, 
ninety  members. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  church  for  business  was  held  April  26, 1849. 
M.  M.  Temple  was  moderator ;  S.  E.  Parker,  clerk,  which  office  he  still 
retains  ;  Dea.  Jabez  D.  Parker,  treasurer,  who  served  till  1858  ;  S.  E. 
Parker  then  held  it  till  1862  ;  J.  M.  Howard  till  1865  ;  Dea.  Milo 
Parker  from  that  date  to  the  present  —  January,  1874. 

The  church  voted  June  5,  1849,  to  call  Rev.  Edward  W.  Clark  to 
the  pastorate.  Dea.  J.  D.  Parker,  Dea.  David  Emerson,  and  Oliver 
Peabody  were  appointed  to  unite  with  the  parish  committee  in  extend- 
ing the  invitation  to  Mr.  Clark.  The  call  was  accepted  and  a  council 
met  Jan.  i,  1850,  for  his  ordination  and  for  the  purpose  of  dedicating 
the  church  edifice. 

Rev.  R.  Emerson,  of  South  Reading,  was  moderator  of  the  council, 
and  Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards,  of  Woburn,  scribe. 

The  invocation  and  reading  of  the  Scriptures  were  by  Rev.  W.  S. 
Coggin,  of  Boxford ;  dedicatory  prayer  by  Rev.  A.  B.  Warner,  of  Med- 
ford ;  dedicatory  hymn  by  Rev.  E.  W.  Allen,  of  N.  Reading ;  sermon 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Edward  Beecher,  of  Boston  ;  ordaining  prayer  by  Rev.  R. 
Emerson ;  charge  by  Rev.  A.  W.  McClure,  of  Maiden ;  right  hand  of 
fellowship  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Steele,  of  South  Woburn  ;  address  to  the 
people  by  Rev.  I.  P.  Langworthy,  of  Chelsea ;  concluding  prayer  by 
Rev.  J.  Edwards. 

The  whole  number  of  communicants  at  this  time  was  101.  During 
the  year  following,  a  revival  added  38  members  to  the  church,  by  pro- 
fession; and  several  were  received  by  letter.  The  relations  between 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  239 

pastor  and  people  appear  to  have  been  unusually  tender  and  sympa- 
thetic, but  in  consequence  of  failing  health  he  asked  for  a  dismission, 
April  23,  1853.  The  people  acceded  to  his  request,  passing  at  the 
same  time  resolutions  of  regret,  esteem,  and  sympathy.  The  pastoral 
relation  was  dissolved  by  mutual  council,  May  9,  1853.  The  whole 
number  of  additions  to  the  church  during  his  pastorate  was  67. 

On  the  6th  of  July  following,  Rev.  W.  H.  Beecher  was  invited  to  fill 
the  vacant  office.  He  accepted,  and  was  installed  Sept.  14,  1853. 
Rev.  T.  K.  Beecher  preached  the  sermon ;  Rev.  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher 
made  the  installing  prayer ;  Rev.  Dr.  C.  E.  Stowe  gave  the  charge  to 
the  pastor ;  Rev.  Edward  Beecher,  the  charge  to  the  people  ;  and  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship  was  by  Rev.  W.  I.  Budington.  Rev.  James  C. 
Beecher  was  present  as  a  delegate. 

The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Beecher  was  not  long  continued,  but  thirty  per- 
sons were  added  to  the  church  during  his  connection  with  it.  There 
was  not  that  harmony  of  sentiment  between  himself  and  people  that  was 
enjoyed  during  the  ministry  of  his  predecessor,  and  in  March,  1856, 
steps  were  taken  to  sever  the  connection.  He  was  dismissed  before 
the  middle  of  May  following,  but  the  exact  date  does  not  appear. 

On  the  yth  of  October,  1856,  a  call  was  extended  to  Rev.  William 
H.  Willcox,  of  Kennebunk,  Me  ,  which  was  declined.  This  was  re- 
newed in  the  following  April,  and  accepted.  Dea.  M.  M.  Temple, 
William  Balch,  and  S.  E.  Parker  were  appointed  to  represent  the 
church  before  the  council,  which  convened  July  2,  1857. 

Rev.  Dr.  J.  P.  Cleveland  presided,  and  Rev.  Edward  W.  Clark  served 
as  scribe.  Rev.  J.  P.  Gulliver  preached  the  sermon.  The  installing 
prayer  was  by  Rev.  S.  Harding ;  charge  by  Rev.  Dr.  Cleveland ;  right 
hand  of  fellowship  by  Rev.  G.  B.  Willcox ;  address  to  the  people  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Clark ;  concluding  prayer  by  Rev.  R.  Tolman ;  benediction 
by  the  pastor. 

The  connection  thus  consummated  has  been  a  long,  successful,  and 
happy  one.  A  remarkable  degree  of  harmony  has  prevailed,  and  suc- 
cessive revivals  have  largely  increased  the  membership  of  the  church. 
The  whole  number  added  since  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Willcox  is  246. 
The  present  number  of  members  belonging  to  the  church  is  259. 
Thirty  of  the  original  members  still  remain.  The  entire  number  who 
have  belonged  to  the  church  is  453. 

Mr.  Willcox  has  been  settled  over  this  church  nearly  seventeen  years 
—  a  period  longer  than  that  of  any  other  present  pastorate  in  the 
Woburn  Conference  ;  longer  than  any  in  Middlesex  County,  save  two  ; 
or  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  excepting  less  than  fifty. 


240  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

Rev.  Mr.  Willcox  was  born  in  New  York  city,  Jan.  28,  1821,  and 
fitted  for  college  in  the  city  schools.  He  graduated  from  New  York 
University  in  1843  ;  from  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  1846 ; 
preached  two  years  in  Norwich,  Conn. ;  was  settled  in  Kennebunk  in 
1852,  where  he  remained  till  his  removal  to  Reading. 

Deacons.  —  When  Chosen. 

Jabez  D.  Parker,  April  26,  1849  ;  David  Emerson,  April  26,  1849  ; 
Mark  M.  Temple,  Feb.  9,  1854 ;  Stillman  E.  Parker,  Feb.  9,  1854 ; 
Milo  Parker,  Feb.  14,  1861 ;  Joel  M.  Howard,  Feb.  14,  1861 ;  D.  My- 
ron Damon,  Jan.  22,  1867  ;  Hiram  Barrus,  Jan.  21,  1869. 

Dea.  David  Emerson  died  July  7,  1866  ;  Dea.  J.  M.  Howard  died 
Feb.  20,  1865  ;  Dea.  D.  M.  Damon  resigned  Feb.  27, 1873. 

The  Choir. 

Messrs.  Roswell  N.  Temple,  as  leader,  and  David  G.  Richardson,  as 
organist,  have  been  connected  with  the  choir  from  its  first  organization 
in  1849.  The  society  purchased  its  present  organ  in  1854  of  Mr. 
Thomas  Appleton.  The  choir  has  been  remarkably  harmonious  in 
feeling  and  performance,  and  few  choirs  in  the  State,  probably,  have 
fulfilled  their  duties  more  to  the  -satisfaction  of  all  concerned  than  the 

Bethesda  choir. 

Conclusion. 

The  troubles  which  caused  the  separation  of  the  Bethesda  from  the 
Old  South  Church  have  been  amicably  adjusted,  and  the  most  cordial 
harmony  prevails  between  them.  One  in  sentiment,  one  in  principle, 
one  in  purpose,  may  their  union  be  perpetual. 

The  Bethesda  Sabbath  school  has  neariy  300  members,  and  its  his- 
tory is  coeval  with  that  of  the  church.  Dea.  S.  E.  Parker  was  its  first 
superintendent,  and,  excepting  the  years  1859,  '60  and  '61,  when  Sam- 
uel W.  Parker  was  chosen,  he  has  continued  to  fill  the  position  to  the 
present  time.  David  G.  Richardson  has  had  charge  of  the  singing 
during  the  whole  time.  The  other  officers  for  1873-4  are  Joshua  Clark, 
assistant  superintendent ;  Hiram  Barrus,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  SOCIETY,  READING. 

The  first  effort  of  the  friends  of  Methodism  for  planting  a  church  here 
was  made  in  the  autumn  of  1866.  Father  Merrill  (Rev.  A.  D.)  spent  a 
few  weeks  here,  preaching  three  times  in  Lyceum  Hall,  and  once  in  the 
Old  South  Church.  Rev.  Andrew  Gray,  then  stationed  at  Wakefield, 
was  then  employed,  and  preached  regularly  in  Lyceum  Hall  once  each 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


241 


Sabbath  during  the  winter.  He  formed  a  class,  and  organized  a  Sab- 
bath school.  The  annual  conference,  in  the  spring  of  1867,  appointed 
Rev.  Daniel  Atkins  as  the  successor  of  Mr.  Gray.  Mr.  Atkins  con- 
tinued the  work  here,  and  on  the  ninth  of  June  the  church  was  organ- 
ized with  nineteen  members  and  eleven  probationers.  Rev.  Stephen 
Gushing  was  appointed  by  the  Conference  in  April,  1868,  to  preach  for 
the  year,  which  he  did,  but  resided  in  Boston.  Rev.  H.  D.  Weston 
succeeded  in  April,  1869.  Measures  had  been  already  initiated  for 
building  a  house  of  worship.  In  February  of  that  year  the  estate  lying 
southerly  of  Lyceum  Hall  building  had  been  purchased  for  $3,800, 
whereon  to  locate  the  church.  It  was  duly  erected,  and  the  house  was 
dedicated  July  i,  1870.  Rev.  J.  N.  Short  entered  upon  the  pastorate  of 
the  church  April,  1871.  His  labors  were  so  efficient  and  satisfactory 
that  his  term  of  service  was  extended  to  three  years,  —  the  longest 
term  allowed  a  minister  by  the  Conference  in  one  locality.  The  church 
has  now  no  members  and  24  probationers.  The  Sabbath  school  reg- 
isters 204  names,  with  an  average  attendance  of  about  125. 

The  original  board  of  stewards  was  Luther  Hutchins,  Robert  Bowser, 
Myron  Billingham.  The  present  board  :  Charles  H.  Moulton,  William 
Johnson,  H.  Copeland,  R.  Bowser,  H.  F.  Parker,  H.  E.  Dunbar, 
Edward  Parker,  Edwin  Bassett. 

The  present  board  of  trustees  is  Henry  Towle,  Asa   R.  Mclntire, 
Simeon  Perry,  Robert  Bowser,  C.  H.  Moulton,  Wesley  Nason,  Luther 
Hutchins,  William  Johnson,  Jacob  Graves.     All  these  persons,  except 
the  two  last  named,  constituted  the  original  board. 
3* 


242 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


CHAPTER    V. 


EDUCATION. 

THE  first  settlers  of  Reading  appear  to  have  been  people  of  moderate 
means  and  narrow  incomes.  Their  first  business  in  thus  locating  in 
this  wilderness,  was  of  course  and  of  necessity  to  erect  humble  domi- 
ciles, and  adopt  measures  to  secure  subsistence  for  themselves  and 
families.  But  like  the  early  settlers  of  most  other  towns  in  New  Eng- 
land, at  that  date,  having  left  their  native  land  to  find  a  place  where 
they  might  worship  God  in  peace,  their  next  thought  was  to  establish 
a  church  and  build  a  sanctuary,  where  the  holy  ordinances  should  be 
publicly  administered. 

Their  first  meeting-house  was  therefore  built  probably  about  1644 
(certainly  before  1647),  and  its  cost  no  doubt  nearly  exhausted  their 
surplus  resources.  Their  numbers  for  the  first  fifty  years  were  few  and 
scattered.  To  gain  the  necessities  of  life,  to  defend  themselves  against 
wild  beasts  and  Indian  foes,  to  reduce  the  rough  and  stubborn  glebe, 
to  maintain  the  public  ministrations  of  the  gospel,  and  to  contend 
against  poverty,  sickness,  and  all  those  diseases  that  "  flesh  is  heir  to," 
in  a  new  country  and  climate,  required  all  the  resolution,  faith,  indus- 
try, and  economy,  that  our  ancestors  could  command.  But  all  these 
things  they  did  perform,  and  performed  them  well.  Consequently  they 
had  little  opportunity  or  ability,  for  many  of  those  early  years,  to  do 
much  for  schools.  Yet  it  is  no  doubt  true,  although  we  find 
no  record  thereof,  that,  during  the  first  half  century  of  our  town's  exist- 
ence, from  the  first  settlement  in  1639,  although  there  was  no  public 
school,  "  they  trained  up  their  little  ones  in  the  '  nurture  and  admoni- 
tion of  the  Lord,'  and,  so  far  as  possible,  around  their  own  firesides, 
and  in  each  neighborhood,  taught  them  the  rudiments  of  the  simple 
knowledge  they  had  learned  from  their  fathers." 

The  first  reference  to  a  school  which  we  find  upon  the  record,  is  in 
1680,  when  it  is  said  that  the  town  was  presented  or  complained  of  at 
the  County  Court  for  deficiency  of  a  grammar  school.  This  complaint 
no  doubt  induced  our  fathers  to  make  new  efforts  in  behalf  of  school- 
ing. They  probably  established  some  sort  of  a  school  at  this  time  ; 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


243 


perhaps  not  a  grammar  or  classical  school,  but  a  substitute  therefor, 
taught  by  some  of  the  best  informed  of  their  own  citizens  ;  for  we  find 
that  in  1692  the  town  ordered  that  the  money  received  from  the  sale  of 
the  old  meeting-house  should  be  paid  over  to  Master  Brown,  in  part 
compensation  for  the  school.  This  Master  Brown  was  John  Brown, 
Esq.,  who  was  one  of  the  best  educated  of  the  early  settlers  (the  min- 
isters excepted),  and  was  long  one  of  the  most  influential  citizens.  He 
was  'probably  the  first  schoolmaster.  In  1693,  Dec.  8th,  about  fifty 
years  after  its  incorporation,  the  town,  for  the  first  time,  ordered  "  that 
there  should  be  a  Free  school  kept  in  the  town,"  and  appropriated 
seven  pounds  for  its  support ;  "  four  pounds  to  be  spent  in  the  town 
(now  Wakefield),  two  pounds  for  the  West  end  (now  Reading),  and 
one  pound  for  those  north  of  Ipswich  river  (now  North  Reading ") ; 
and  the  selectmen  were  authorized  to  expend  more  money,  in  the  same 
proportion,  if  they  saw  fit. 

The  first  teacher  of  the  free  school  was  Nicholas  Lynde,  from  Charles- 
town,  who  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1690.  Several  of  the 
early  masters  were  men  of  classical  and  liberal  education. 

There  is  no  record  of  the  erection  of  the  first  school-house.  It  was 
probably  built  by  private  contributions.  It  was  no  doubt  erected  soon 
after  the  establishment  of  the  free  school,  and  between  1694  and  1707  ; 
for  in  1694  it  appears  that  the  town  voted  to  pay  2S.  <)d.  to  repair  the 
house,  in  which  Master  Lynde  keeps  school ;  if  this  house  had  been  a 
school-house,  it  would,  it  is  most  likely,  have  been  so  called.  We  may 
conclude,  therefore,  that  it  was  some  private  building  improved  for  the 
school  temporarily.  In  1707,  the  selectmen  were  asked  to  consider 
whether  the  school-house  should  be  removed.  So  that  a  school-house 
had  been  erected  between  1694  and  1707.  This  house  stood  on  the 
parsonage  lot  of  the  present  first  parish  of  Wakefield,  north  of  and 
near  the  former  site  of  the  parsonage  house.  It  was  a  low,  small-sized 
building,  with  a  large  fireplace  in  one  corner.  In  1759,  the  said 
parish  (then  including  what  is  now  Wakefield  and  Reading)  raised 
.£13  ioj.  4//.  to  repair  it,  but  the  repairs  were  not  effected  until  1765, 
when  the  house  "  was  clapboarded,  furnished  with  window  shutters,  a 
lock  on  the  door  and  weather  boards."  In  1793  it  was  provided 
with  a  stove.  This  house  was  used  for  the  school  until  1799,  when  it 
was  sold  and  became  a  part  of  the  "  Badger  house,"  on  Salem  Street, 
now  owned  by  Wid.  Sarah  (Newhall)  Brown. 

From  the  establishment  of  the  free  school  in  1693  unt^  1720,  the 
town  appears  to  have  hired  the  teachers  and  paid  them.  But  there 
was  but  one  teacher  for  the  whole  town,  who  taught  in  different  parts 


244 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


of  the  town,  at  such  times  of  the  year  and  for  such  terms  as  the 
selectmen  should  determine. 

Once,  however,  in  1708,  there  was  added  to  the  selectmen,  to  assist 
in  superintending  the  schools,  a  committee,  consisting  of  Capt.  John 
Browne,  Lieut.  Hananiah  Parker,  and  Ens.  Nathaniel  Parker.  From 
1721  to  1778,  the  care  and  support  of  schools  seems  to  have  devolved 
upon  the  separate  parishes. 

It  does  not  appear  from  the  town  or  parish  records  what  was  the 
amount  of  the  annual  appropriations  for  schools  during  this  time  ;  but 
money  was  obtained  from  some  source,  and  schools  kept,  for  we  find, 
scattered  along  through  the  parish  records  of  this  period,  sundry  votes 
for  repairing  and  removing  school-houses,  and  directing  when  schools 
shall  be  bept.  It  is  probable  that  the  parish  assessors,  who  appear  to 
have  been  the  acting  school  committee,  ex  officio,  during  the  time,  ap- 
propriated a  part  of  the  parish' funds  for  this  purpose.  From  1693  to 
1721,  while  the  town  superintended  the^schools,  the  price  or  salary  paid 
to  the  master  ranged  from  £30  to  ^43  per  annum. 

The  total  amount  annually  appropriated  by  the  several  parishes,  from 
1721  to  1778,  while  they  had  charge  of  the  schools,  does  not  appear, 
but  may  be  inferred  from  what  the  town  raised  in  1720  (£45),  and  what 
the  town  raised  after  resuming  the  appropriations,  say  in  1782,  (;£8o), 
averaging,  probably,  some  £50  or  £60  per  annum.  In  1778,  the  town 
resumed  its  care  of  the  schools,  and  voted  that  the  schoolmaster's  salary 
be  left  to  the  selectmen ;  but  there  is  no  record  that  they  made  any 
specific  [appropriation  therefor  until  1780.  In  1780,  the  town  voted 
"•  to  raise  £1,000  for  hiring  schooling,"  to  be  assessed  with  the  ordi- 
nary charges,  and  that  each  parish  draw  their  proportion  out  of  the 
town  treasury.  It  will  be  remembered  that  at  this  time  the  currency 

as  greatly  depreciated.  The  annual  appropriations  of  the  town  for 
schools,  from  1780  to  1811,  inclusive,  were  as  follows:  — 

In  1780,  ,£1,000,  depreciated  currency, 

"  1781,  £6,000,  equal  to  about  £80  per  annum. 

From  1782  to  1791,  inclusive,      .£80         "  " 

"  1792  and  1793,                   ;£i$o          "  " 

"  1794  to  1802,  inclusive,     ^200          "  " 

"  1803  to  1806,         "            ,£250          "  " 

"  1807,                                      $833          "  " 

"  1808  to  1 8 1 1,  inclusive,  $1,000         "  " 

From  1693,  while  the  town  employed  and  paid  the  teachers,  the 
school  was  kept  at  first  three  months  in  the  town  (now  Wakefield) ; 
two  months  in  the  northwest  part  of  the  town  (now  Reading) ;  and  one 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


245 


month  on  the  north  side  of  Ipswich  River;  and  afterwards,  until  1708, 
for  such  terms  at  each  place  as  the  selectmen  should  determine. 

In  1708,  the  town  voted  "  that  the  northwest  corner  of  the  town  (now 
Reading)  shall  have  the  school  in  their  end  one  quarter  part  of  the 
time."  About  this  time,  1708,  it  is  supposed  that  the  second  school- 
house  of  old  Reading,  and  the  first  of  the  present  Reading,  was  built. 
It  was  located  at  the  corner  of  what  is  now  Woburn  and  Washington 
Streets.  By  whom  this  structure  was  erected  and  paid  for  is  not  known, 
probably  by  voluntary  contributions.  In  1749,  it  was  removed  to  the 
common  land,  near  Phineas  Parker's.  In  1781,  upon  a  division  of  the 
school  in  the  West  Parish,  it  was  removed  to  Capt.  Tho.  Eaton's  land, 
nearly  opposite  to  Jonathan  Parker's  corner,  and  there  used  as  a  school 
until  1798,  when  it  was  sold,  moved  across  the  road,  and  occupied  as  a 
dwelling-house  by  Amos  Pratt,  for  about  twenty  years,  and  then  removed 
to  the  north  part  of  said  parish,  where  it  is  now  (1868)  a  part  of  the 
dwelling-house  of  Freeborn  B.  Smith.  In  1781,  the  second  school- 
house  of  said  parish  (now  Reading)  was  erected  by  the  parish,  and  was 
located  on  "land  of  Benjamin  Nichols,  near  the  corner  of  his  land, 
where  the  road  turns  to  go  through  the  Sledge  woods." 

This  house  was  sold  in  1799,  converted  into  a  dwelling,  and  removed 
to  Main  Street. 

In  1799,  the  First  Parish  (now  Wakefield)  built  three  new  school- 
houses,  —  one  for  the  Centre  District,  one  for  the  West,  one  for  the 
South, — and  purchased  a  fourth  one,  that  had  already  been  erected  by 
proprietors  in  the  East  District.  The  house  built  for  the  Centre  Dis- 
trict was  28  by  24  feet,  12  feet  stud,  and  cost  about  $500.  It  had  a 
porch  on  the  south  side,  a  gallery  inside  for  the  use  of  the  committee  at 
exhibitions,  and  would  seat,  uncomfortably,  about  one  hundred  pupils. 
Although  it  lacked  many  of  the  comforts  and  conveniences  that  are 
thought  necessary  at  the  present  day,  yet,  for  the  time  when  it  was  built 
it  was  a  very  respectable  edifice.  It  was  located  at  the  northerly  end 
of  the  Common,  with  windows  looking  out  upon  the  highways  on  all 
sides  of  it,  that  the  pupils  might  be  well  informed  of  passing  events; 
there  were  no  shade  trees  near,  or  blinds  thereon,  to  prevent  the  ingress 
of  light  or  heat ;  but  there  was  a  set  of  old-fashioned  hay-scales,  set  up 
against  one  side  of  the  house,  with  ponderous,  gallows-like  frame,  and 
long  iron  chains,  hanging  and  swinging  therefrom,  for  the  performance 
by  the  pupils  at  recess  of  gymnastic  exercises ;  and  a  great,  creaking 
windlass  within,  to  exemplify  philosophic  science  ;  with  a  blacksmith's 
shop  nearby,  where  the  sparks  and  scintillations  weve  ofttimes  seen  to 


246 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


fly  more  rapidly  and  brightly  from  the  beaten  rod  of  iron  (and  we  speak 
without  irony),  than  came  from  the  birchen  rod  in  the  school-house. 

This  house  was  used  for  schools,  and  also,  for  many  years,  for  town 
and  other  meetings,  until  1834,  when  it  was  sold,  removed  to  Mechanic 
Street,  converted  into  a  dwelling-house,  and  is  now  (1868)  occupied  by 
Dea.  Robert  C.  Wiley.  The  houses  built,  this  year  (1799),  for  the  West 
and  South  Districts,  were  18  by  15  feet,  7j  feet  stud;  that  in  the  West 
District  was  located  on  common  land,  a  short  distance  westerly  of 
Joseph  Hartshorn's  ;  it  was  subsequently  removed  to  the  common  land 
near  the  house  of  Messrs.  John  and  William  H.  Atwell,  where  it  stood 
until  1822,  when  it  was  removed  to  the  side  of  the  pond,  nearly  opposite 
the  house  of  the  late  Capt.  Henry  Knight,  and  used  for  a  summer  school. 
It  was  afterwards  sold,  and  is  now  a  wood-shed  in  Lafayette  Street. 

The  house  in  the  South  District  was  located  on  land  of  Mr.  Samuel 
Evans,  near  where  Mr.  Isaac  Green  now  lives,  used  until  1822,  then 
sold,  and  is  now  a  part  of  the  Oilman  house,  in  Greenwood. 

The  house  purchased  this  year  for  the  East  District  was  not  quite  as 
large  as  those  built  this  year,  and  stood  on  land  of  Joseph  Burditt,  on 
Lowell  Street,  near  the  house  of  Mr.  Bellows. 

Mr.  Burditt,  being  present  in  parish  meeting  when  it  was  voted  to 
purchase  the  house,  "generously  made  a  donation  of  said  land  to  the 
parish,"  and  received  a  vote  of  thanks.  This  house  was  used  for  the 
East  school  until  1822,  when  it  was  removed  to  Woodville,  was  located 
near  the  Almshouse,  a"hd  used  for  a  primary  school  until  1844,  when  it 
was  sold,  and  is  now  a  part  of  James  O.  Boswell's  dwelling-house  on 
Pleasant  Street. 

In  1791,  the  town  (in  compliance  with  a  law  of  the  Legislature,  then 
recently  enacted)  voted  to  establish  a  grammar  school,  in  distinction 
from  the  English  schools,  meaning  a  school  in  which  the  ancient  lan- 
guages and  higher  branches  should  be  taught ;  and  in  pursuance  thereof 
adopted  a  report  of  a  committee,  which  recommended  that  the  "gram- 
mar school "  be  kept  at  the  school-house,  near  the  meeting-house  in  the 
First  Parish  (Wakefield)  ;  at  the  North  Parish  (North  Reading),  three 
places,  viz. :  at  the  school-house  at  the  north  part  of  the  parish,  at  the 
school-house  near  Mr.  John  Swain's,  and  at  or  near  Ens.  Sawyer's  old 
house  ;  to  be  kept  two  months  at  each  house  in  rotation,  as  the  select- 
men shall  determine  ;  and  at  the  West  Parish  (Reading)  at  two  places, 
viz.  at  the  school-houses  now  erected,  to  each  part  equally;  the  Eng- 
lish schools  to  be  kept  at  the  vacant  houses,  while  the  grammar  school 
is  keeping  as  above  " 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


247 


Voted,  also,  at  the  same  time,  not  to  raise  any  money  to  hire  school- 
dames. 

It  appears,  however,  that  this  vote  in  relation  to  female  teachers  was 
soon  after  disregarded  ;  for  we  find  that  in  1793,  and  ever  after,  school- 
dames  were  employed. 

In  1792,  the  town,  for  theyfrj/  time,  chose  regular  school  committees, 
and  continued  so  to  do  ever  after. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  committee  men  until  1811,  inclusive:  — 


Doct.  John  Hart,  1792,  '93,  '94,  '96,  1801. 
Capt.  David  Smith,  1792,  '94,  '95,  '96,  98. 
William  Gould,  1792. 
Dea.  Henry  Putnam,  1792,  '93,  '99. 
DocL  Martin  Herrick,  1792. 
Esq.  James  Bancroft,  1792,  '93,  '96,  1801. 
Jonathan  Poole,  Jr.,  1792. 
L't.  Joseph  Bancroft,  1792,  '94,  1807. 
John  Brown,  1793. 
Capt  and  Col.  Daniel  Flint,  1793, 
'94.  95>  97>  '99>  I8oo,  '01,  '02,  'n. 
Thomas  Symonds,  1793. 
Capt.  Thomas  Eaton,  1794,  '99. 
L't  John  Sweetser,  1795. 
Daniel  Graves,  1795,  '96,  '97,  1811. 
John  Nichols,  1795. 
George  Flint,  Jr.,  1796,  1803,  '10. 
Col.    Amos  Boardman,   1797,  1800,  'or, 
'02,  '04,  '06,  '07,  '08,  '10,  'n. 
Capt  James  Gould,  1797.  '98. 
Esq.   Timothy  Wakefield,  1797,  '98,  1801. 
Capt.  Thomas  Emerson,  1799,  1805,  '06. 
Paul  Sweetser,  1799. 
John  Temple,  Jr.,  1799. 
Dea.  Thomas  Parker,  1800. 
Joshua  Damon,  1800,  '01,  '05,  '06,  '07. 
Daniel  Parker,  1800. 
Timothy  Bancroft,  1800. 
Esq.  Joseph  Cordis,  1802. 
Abijah  \Veston,  1802. 


Daniel  Pratt,  1802. 
Doct  John  Hay,  1803,  '04. 
John  Gould,  1803,  '04. 
Edmund  Damon,  1803. 
David  Pratt,  1803. 
James  Weston,  Jr.,  1803. 
Dea.  Oliver  Swain,  1804. 
Ephraim  Pratt,  1804, 
Ephraim  Weston,  1804, 
Asa  Parker,  Jr.,  1804. 
Daniel  Sweetser,  1805. 
Capt.  Thomas  Sawyer,  1805, '06. 
Jonathan  Temple,  1805. 
David  Emerson,  1805. 
Daniel  Chute,  1806. 
Richard  Parker,  1806,  '07. 
Benjamin  Emerson,  1807. 
John  Batchelder,  1807,  '08. 
Lilley  Eaton,  Jr.,  1808,  'n. 
Benjamin  Upton,  Jr.,  1808,  '09. 
Edmund  Parker,  1808. 
Timothy  Hartshorn,  1808. 
Capt.  Noah  Smith,  1809,  'icx 
Dea.  James  Hartshorn,  1809. 
Joseph  Batchelder,  1809,  '10. 
Edmund  Wiley,  1809. 
Thaddeus  B.  Pratt,  1809. 
Ebenezer  Emerson,  1810. 
Thomas  Hartshorn,  1811. 
Benjamin  Parker,  iSn. 


The  reports  of  school  committees,  which  at  the  present  day  are  sue 
important,  interesting,  and   comprehensive  documents,  were  formerly 
very  brief. 

The  first  school  report  that  appears  on  record  was  made  in  1798,  and 
was  as  follows  :  — 

"  That  the  Committee  have  visited  the  several  schools,  and  have  the 


248 


GENEALOGICAL 


satisfaction  to  observe  that  our  youth  have  made  proficiency  equal  to 
our  expectations." 

The  same  report  was  continued  yearly  until  1803,  when  it  was  some 
what  changed  and  enlarged,  as  follows :  "  That  the  Committee  have,  at 
several  times,  visited  the  schools,  and  in  their  opinion  the  several  persons 
employed  as  instructors  have  discharged  their  duty,  much  to  their 
honor  and  to  the  improvement  of  the  youth  under  their  care.  They 
further  wish  to  report  that  the  behavior  of  the  youth,  while  in  their  visi- 
tations, was  decent,  and  their  improvements  are  such  as  does  them 
great  credit,  and  much  to  the  honor  of  the  town. 

"JOSEPH  CORDIS,  Chairman." 

The  following  is  a  list  (nearly  complete)  of  the  early  teachers  of  the 
public  schools  of  Reading,  prior  to  the  year  1800 :  — 

MASTERS. 

John  Browne,  Esq. 

Nicholas  Lynde  (of  H.  ColL  1690),  1694. 

Joseph  Upton,  1695. 

Capt  Jonathan  Poole,  1697. 

Capt  John  Herbert,  1701. 

John  Rogers  (of  H.  Coll.  1684),  1706. 

(Daniel?)  Lewis  (of  H.  Coll.  1707),  1707. 

John  Webb  (H.  Coll.  1708),  1708. 

(John  ?)  Quincy  (H.  Coll.  1708),  1708. 

(Samuel?)  Thompson  (H.  Coll.  1710),  1710. 

Daniel  Dodge  (H.  Coll.  1700),  1712-15. 

Jonathan  Pierpont  (H.  Coll.  1714),  1716. 

(Nath'l?)  Henchman  (H.  Coll.  1717),  ijiS. 

Thomas  Oliver  (H.  Coll.  1719),  1719-21. 

Thomas  Pierpont  (H.  Coll.  1721),  1722. 

Doct.  William  Hay  (educated  in  Scot),  1723-28. 

Isaac  Richardson  (H.  Coll.  1728),  1729-31. 

Samuel  Batchelder  (H.  Coll.  1731),  1732-34. 

Joseph  Underwood  (H.  Coll.  1735),  1735-39. 

Ebenezer  Putnam  (H.  Coll.)  1739),  1740-42. 

Joseph  Emerson  (H.  Coll.  1743),  1743. 

Joseph  Swain  (H.  Coll.  1744),  1744-6. 

Barachias  Mason  (H.  Coll.  1742),  1747. 

Timothy  Minot  (H.  Coll.  1747),  1747-9. 

Samuel  Brooks  (H.  Coll.  1749),  1750. 

William  Symmes  (H.  Coll.  1750),  1751. 

Jonathan  Kidder  (H.  Coll.  1751),  1752  and  '91,  '2  '3. 

Samuel  Wigglesworth  (H.  Coll.  1752),  1753  and '4. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 

Jonathan  Webb,  1754  and  '5. 
(Samuel?)  Dane  (or  Dana,  H.  Coll.  1755),  1756. 
Jacob  Emerson  (H.  ColL  1756),  1757,  '60,  '81. 
Samuel  Dix  (H.  Coll.  1758),  1759. 
Henry  Cummings  (H.  Coll.  1760),  1761. 
William  Emerson  (H.  Coll.  1761),  1762  to  '65, 
Timothy  Milliard  (H.Coll.  1764),  1766. 
Amos  Sawyer  (H.  Coll.  1765),  1767. 
(Burrill?)  Devereaux  (H.  Coll.  1767),  1768,  '9. 
James  Dimon  (H.  Coll.  1768),  1770. 
Jacob  Burnap  (H.  Coll.  1770),  1771,  '2. 
Samuel  S.  Poole  (H.  ColL  1770),  1772,  '3. 
Martin  Herrick  (H.  Coll.  1772),  1774,  '5. 
Jedediah  Parker  (H.  Coll.  1757),  1776-9. 
Brown  Emerson  (H.  Coll.  1778),  1780. 
John  Boutwell,  1791,  '2,  '3. 
Thomas  W.  Weare,  1792. 
Lieut.  David  Swett,  1792,  '3. 
John  Walton  (H.  Coll.  1779),  1792,  '3. 
Charles  Hay,  1792. 
Jacob  Flint  (H.  Coll.  1794),  1792. 
David  Everett,  1793,  '4,  '5. 
Abijah  Spofford,  1793,  '4,  '5,  '8,  '9. 
Charles  Prentiss  (H.  Coll.  1795),  1793,  '4. 
James  Tappin,  1794. 
Thomas  Mellen  Prentiss,  1794. 

Mead,  1795. 

Ephraim  Parker,  Jr.,  1796,  '7. 

Joel  Rogers,  1796. 

Lincoln  Ripley,  1796. 

Ebenezer  Lawrence  (H.  ColL  1795),  1796. 

Andrew  Peabody,  1797. 

Jonathan  Whitaker  (H.  Coll.  1797),  1797,  '8. 

Thomas  Pratt,  1797. 

Benjamin  Badger,  1797,  '99. 

Daniel  P.  Upton  (H.  Coll.  1797),  1797. 

Josiah  Webster,  1797,  '99. 

James  Flint,  Jr.  (H.  ColL  1802),  1798,  '99. 

Abel  Blood,  1798. 

Moses  Dow  (H.  Coll.  1769),  1798. 

Joshua  Lane  (H.  Coll.  1799),  1798. 

Asa  Hill,  1798,  '9. 

Spaulding,  1799. 

Joseph  Frye,  1799. 
Peter  Cochrane,  1799. 
Peter  Fogg,  1799. 
Thomas  Swain,  1799. 

32 


249 


250 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


FEMALE    TEACHERS. 


Hannah  Bragg  taught  in  the  North  Parish  in  1792,  and  could  brag  of  being  the  first 


school-dame  employed  by  the  town, 

Mehitabel  Poole,  1793. 
Dorcas  Wakefield,  1793,  '4. 
Rebecca  Stimpson,  1793,  '4. 
Martha  Underwood,  1793, '4. 
Winneford  Davis,  1793. 
Mehitabel  Pearson,  1793,  '4,  '5,  '6. 
Olive  Everett,  1794. 
,  Hannah  Foster,  1794. 
Polly  Stone,  1794,  '6,  '7. 
Hannah  Brown,  1795,  '6,  '7. 
Polly  Killam,  1795. 
Ruth  Fuller,  1795,  '7. 
Abigail  Wilson,  1795. 


Pamela  Prentiss,  1796,  '99. 

Susanna  Stimpson,  1796,  '97,  '98,  '99. 

Anna  Laighton,  1796. 

Polly  Weston,  1796. 

Sally  Flint,  1796,  '98. 

Polly  Wilson,  1797,  '99. 

Polly  Hart,  1 797,  '99. 

Pamelia  Hay,  1798. 

Nabby  Stone,  1798. 

Sukey  Laighton,  1799. 

Fanny  Richardson,  1799. 

Louisa  A.  Waldo,  1799. 

Betsey  Pratt,  1799. 


In  1812,  the  First  or  South  Parish  of  Reading  was  incorporated  as  a 
distinct  town,  by  the  name  of  South  Reading ;  and  from  this  date,  the 
school  history  of  each  town  will  be  given  separately. 

The  town  of  South  Reading,  upon  its  incorporation,  as  aforesaid 
assumed,  without  objection,  the  ownership  of  the  school-houses,  which 
had  been  built  by  the  parish,  when  the  parish  included  the  entire 
population  ;  and  thereafter  the  school-houses  were  built  by  the  town. 
The  town  was  divided  into  districts  or  wards,  for  the  convenience  of 
distributing  the  pupils  and  the  choice  of  prudential  committees.  But 
the  town  ever  owned  the  school-houses,  and  raised  the  money  for  the 
payment  of  teachers  and  incidental  expenses,  dividing  it  among  the 
districts  as  recommended  from  time  to  time  by  committees  appointed 
for  the  purpose. 

The  prudential  committees,  under  instructions  from  the  several  dis- 
tricts, selected  and  contracted  with  teachers,  and  were  the  only  school 
committees  until  about  1826,  when  committees  of  superintendence  and 
examination  were  provided  for,  who  had  power  to  negative  the  selec- 
tion of  the  district  committees. 

In  1822,  a  new  school-house  was  built  in  the  West,  and  another  in 
the  East  District,  costing  about  $600  each. 

That  in  the  West  District  stood  by  the  side  of  the  road,  a  short  dis- 
tance easterly  of  where  their  present  house  stands;  and  that  in  the 
East,  on  the  site  of  the  old  one,  on  Lowell  Street,  and  was  subsequently 
removed  to  the  site  of  the  present  house.  They  both  occupied  their 
respective  positions  until  1847,  when  that  in  the  West  District  was 
removed  to  the  westerly  part  of  the  district  and  became  the  dwelling- 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  251 

house  of  Mr.  Joseph  W.  Bancroft ;  and  that  in  the  East  District,  was 
removed  and  became  the  dwelling-house  now  owned  by  Mr.  William 
Burditt.  In  1824,  an  additional  apartment  was  added  to  the  Centre 
School-house,  that  cost  about  $350,  and  the  Centre  School  was  graded 
into  two  schools,  called  Senior  and  Junior.  This  additional  room  was 
occupied  by  the  Senior  school  until  1834,  when  the  said  addition  was 
sold  to  the  Parish  for  a  chapel  and  located  near  the  Parsonage.  After- 
wards removed,  and  is  now  a  part  of  the  bake-house  near  the  Univer- 
salist  church  edifice. 

In  1828,  a  new  school-house  was  built  in  the  South  District,  on  or 
near  the  site  of  its  predecessor,  which  cost  $220,  which  stood  there 
until  1847,  when  it  was  sold,  removed  to  Water  Street,  and  converted 
into  a  dwelling-house. 

In  1829,  the  South  Reading  Academy  was  incorporated,  and  the 
building  now  known  as  the  old  high  school:house,  was  erected.  It 
was  established  under  the  auspices  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  and 
was  intended  as  an  Introductory  School  to  the  Theological  Seminary 
at  Newton,  although  open  to  all  others. 

The  land  and  buildings  were  obtained  by  the  private  subscriptions 
of  the  people  of  South  Reading. 

It  was  first  taught  by  John  Stevens  and  Wm.  Heath  as  Associate 
Principals. 

They  were  succeeded  by  Harvey  Ball,  John  Pratt,  Samuel  Randall, 
Paschal  Carter,  and  Wm.  W.  Wakefield. 

The  school  for  several  years  was  quite  flourishing,  and  maintained  a 
high  stand  for  instruction  in  English  and  Classical  learning. 

But  at  length  the  theological  students  were  withheld,  and  the  cor- 
poration being  without  funds,  it  was  judged  best  to  discontinue  the 
school. 

The  land  and  building  reverted  to  the  original  proprietors,  and  by 
them  was  sold  to  Messrs.  Yale  &  Heath,  who  subsequently  sold  to  the 
town  in  1847. 

The  academy,  during  its  continuance,  exerted  a  very  valuable  influ- 
ence upon  the  people  of  South  Reading.  It  created  in  the  minds  of 
many  of  our  youth  a  desire  for  higher  attainments  in  knowledge,  and 
furnished  them  with  the  means  of  obtaining  them,  thus  fitting  them  for 
high  stations  of  usefulness  and  honor  in  society,  to  which  many  of 
them  succeeded  ;  it  awakened  a  new  interest  among  the  inhabitants  in 
the  cause  of  education  and  in  the  importance  of  furnishing  the  rising 
youth  with  the  best  means  of  securing  it;  and  thus  promoted  great 
improvements  in  our  primary  schools  and  hastened  the  establishment 
of  a  Town  Hi°:h  School. 


252  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

The  names  of  the  early  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Academy  were  :  — 

Rev.  Lucius  Bolles,  D.  D.,  President  Rev.  Enoch  W.  Freeman. 

"  Rufus  Babcock.  "     Wm.  Leverett. 

"  George  Leonard.  "     Avery  Briggs. 

"  Cyrus  P.  Grosvenor.  "     Bcnj.  C.  Wade. 

"  James  D.  Knowles.  "    Joseph  A.  Warne. 

"  Howard  Malcom.  Burrage  Yale,  Esq. 

"  Henry  Jackson.  Lemuel  Sweetser,  Esq. 

"  Bela  Jacobs.  Dr.  Nathan  Richardson. 

"  John  E.  Weston.  Benj.  B.  Wiley,  Esq.,  Treasurer. 

"  Chas.  O.  Kimball.  Lilley  Eaton,  Esq.,  Secretary. 

"  Arthur  Drinkwater.  Dea.  Samuel  Beal. 

"  Gustavus  F.  Davis.  Michael  Webb,  Esq. 

In  1834,  the  (old)  Town  House  was  erected  and  two  school-rooms 
set  apart  therein  for  the  use  of  the  two  centre  schools,  and  were  occu- 
pied by  them  until  1853.  In  1840,  the  North  school  district  was 
established,  and  a  new  school-house,  similar  to  those  built  in  1822  for 
the  East  and  West  Districts,  was  erected  on  Cordis  Street ;  was  occu- 
pied by  this  school  until  1847,  when  it  was  sold,  removed  to  Eaton 
Street,  and  is  now  a  part  of  Mr.  David  Wiley's  late  dwelling-house. 

In  1844,  a  new  school  house  was  erected  in  Woodville,  which  has 
since  been  enlarged  ;  and  Woodville,  from  this  date,  has  been  regarded 
as  a  distinct  district.  Until  this  date,  one  portion  of  its  inhabitants 
belonged  to  the  Centre  and  the  other  portion  to  the  South  districts. 

In  1845,  the  high  school  was  established. 

It  is  a  source  of  high  credit  to  the  town  of  South  Reading  that  it 
was  disposed  to  establish  this  school  so  early  in  its  municipal  course, 
while  the  number  of  its  families  was  but  about  300,  and  these  gener- 
ally of  moderate  means  and  incomes.  This  credit  is  enhanced  by  the 
fact  that  this  result  was  accomplished  with  so  great  unanimity.  A  few 
persons,  living  on  the  borders  of  the  town,  made  some  feeble  opposi- 
tion, but  the  great  bulk  of  the  people,  including  the  best  informed,  the 
most  intelligent,  and  those  who  paid  the  largest  taxes,  were  in  favor  of 
the  movement. 

The  town  was  fortunate  in  the  first  teacher  of  this  school.  He  was 
not  only  well  learned,  but  was  also  wise,  prudent,  and  conciliatory  ;  and 
a  most  skilful  and  popular  teacher.  Under  his  successful  administra- 
tion, opponents  were  changed  to  friends,  and  the  school  became  fixed 
upon  a  firm  foundation. 

James  F.  Blackinton,  the  first  principal  of  this  school,  son  of  Dea. 
Fisher  Blackinton  and  Fanny  (Richards)  Blackinton,  was  born  in 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


253 


Attleborough,  Mass.,  Sept.  5,  1819.  He  was  prepared  for  college  at 
Attleborough  Academy,  and  entered  Brown  University  in  1843,  receiv- 
ing the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  that  institution  in  1867. 

He  was  appointed  principal  of  the  South  Reading  High  School  in 
1845,  where  he  remained  till  1848.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  D. 
Warren,  of  Ashby,  Mass.,  in  1846.  In  1848,  he  received  the  appoint 
ment  of  usher  in  the  Lyman  School,  Boston,  and  was  soon  after  pro- 
moted to  the  sub-mastership  of  that  school  ;  and,  in  1865,  was  elected 
master  of  the  Prescott  Grammar  School,  Boston. 

Henry  Bartlett  Maglathlin,  Harvard  College,  1843,  and  Asa  G. 
Wolcotr,  were  successive  teachers  of  this  school,  in  1848. 

Franklin  Crosby,  Esq.,  of  Lowell,  was  its  principal,  in  1849,  and 
again  in  1851  and  2. 

Messrs.  Sylvanus  C.  Kendall,  of  Andover,  Amherst  College,  1849, 
James  P.  Kimball,  of  Oakham,  Amherst  College,  1849,  and  James 
A.  Hervey,  of  Medford,  Harvard  College,  1849,  were  teachers  succes- 
sively, in  1850. 

Frederick  Adolphus  Sawyer,  of  Bolton,  Harvard  College,  1844, 
was  appointed  principal  in  1852. 

Mr.  Sawyer  was  born  at  Bolton,  Worcester  County,  Mass.,  Dec.  12, 
1822.  He  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Sawyer,  who  was  the  son  of  Joseph 
Sawyer.  Joseph  Sawyer,  the  father  of  F.  A.  Sawyer,  was  a  merchant 
and  farmer,  in  Bolton,  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  represented 
his  town  in  the  Legislature  for  two  or  three  years,  and  held  other 
responsible  local  positions. 

His  mother  was  Abigail  Bender,  the  daughter  of  Peter  Bender,  a 
German,  who  moved,  somewhat  over  a  century  since,  to  Maryborough, 
Mass.,  where  he  settled  and  married  Abigail  Brigham. 

Another  of  Peter  Bender's  daughters  was  the  mother  of  Horatio  and 
Richard  Greenough,  the  sculptors.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended 
the  public  schools  in  his  native  town,  when  they  were  in  session,  and  at 
intervals  was  a  pupil  in  an  excellent  private  school  kept  in  Bolton  by  a 
Quaker  named  Thomas  Fry,  a  most  worthy  man  and  skilful  teacher. 
He  also  attended  school  at  Westminster  and  Marlborough,  Mass.  His 
preceptor  in  the  latter  place  was  the  late  Hon.  O.  W.  Albee,  a  man 
who  served  his  State  in  the  Legislature  with  great  credit.  In  1840,  he 
entered  Harvard  College,  and  was  graduated  in  1844,  among  the  high 
scholars  of  his  class.  During  the  winters  of  1839,  '40,  '41,  '42,  and 
'43,  he  taught  public  schools  in  Marlborough,  Lancaster,  Harvard,  and 
Westminster,  Mass.,  and  in  August,  1844,  went  to  Gardiner,  Me., 
where  he  was  engaged  as  a  teacher  till  March,  1847.  He  then  removed 


254 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


to  Wiscasset,  Me.,  and  continued  his  profession  in  that  town  till  June, 
1851.  He  removed  thence  to  Lowell,  Mass.,  where  he  was  temporarily 
employed,  in  the  absence  of  the  principal  in  the  Franklin  School. 
Upon  the  return  of  the  principal,  Mr.  Sawyer  took  the  position  of 
principal  of  "The  Nashua  Academy,"  at  Nashua,  N.  H.,  but  having 
an  offer  of  the  place  of  principal  of  the  South  Reading  High  School, 
he  assumed  the  duties  of  that  position  about  the  close  of  1852,  and 
remained  there  till  his  appointment  as  sub-master  of  the  Brimmer 
School,  in  Boston,  in  September,  1855.  He  held  the  latter  position 
till  April,  1859,  when  he  accepted  an  appointment  as  principal  of  a 
State  Normal  School,  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  This  position  he  held  until 
September,  1864,  though  he  made  an  effort  to  be  released  from  his 
engagement  there  in  January,  1861.  Being  pressed  to  postpone  his 
resignation,  he  did  so,  and  the  result  was  a  compulsory  residence  in  a 
rebellious  State  till  he  obtained  for  himself  and  family  a  passport  per- 
mitting them  to  pass  through  the  rebel  lines  to  Port  Royal,  S.  C.,  then 
in  possession  of  the  Union  forces. 

He  was  one  of  the  few  men  who,  in  the  State  of  South  Carolina, 
preserved  their  character  for  loyalty  without  taint  in  the  trying  times 
of  the  late  rebellion,  and  he  suffered  much  annoyance  on  account  of 
his  political  sympathies.  His  profession,  however,  exempted  him  from 
military  duty,  till  some  time  in  1863,  when  he  was  arrested  by  a  military 
guard  and  enrolled  in  a  regiment  for  home  defence.  In  this  he  was 
made  to  serve  for  some  weeks,  though  the  regiment  saw  no  active 
service. 

After  his  escape  from  the  South,  in  1864,  he  engaged  as  actively  in 
the  canvass  then  going  on  for  the  re-election  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  as  was 
consistent  with  an  oath  he  had  been  compelled  to  take  as  a  condition 
of  obtaining  his  passport.  On  the  226.  of  February,  1865,  he  again 
entered  the  city  of  Charleston,'  just  four  days  after  its  occupation  by 
Federal  troops.  On  the  3oth  May,  1865,  he  was  appointed  Collector 
of  Internal  Revenue  for  the  Second  District  of  South  Carolina,  and 
held  that  office  till  his  assumption  of  the  position  of  United  States 
Senator  from  South  Carolina,  for  the  term  ending  March  3,  1873. 
He  was  elected  Senator  on  the  i6th,  and  took  his  seat  on  the  220! 
July,  1868. 

He  was  elected  a  delegate  from  the  city  of  Charleston  to  the  .conven- 
tion called  to  frame  a  new  Constitution  under  what  are  called  the 
"  Reconstruction  Acts  of  Congress,"  but  subsequent  events  prevented 
his  participation  in  the  work  of  that  body,  except  in  the  way  of  advice. 
In  1854,  he  married  Delia  E.  Gay,  the  daughter  of  the  late  Ira  Gay, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


255 


Esq.,  of  Nashua,  N.   H.,  for  a  considerable  time  the  agent  of  the 
Nashua  Manufacturing  Co.  .  He  has  two  daughters  and  one  son. 

In  1855,  Henry  F.  Munroe,  A.  B.,  from  Somerville,  was  appointed 
principal,  and  continued  until  1858.  Mr  Munroe  was  a  fine  classical 
scholar,  and  a  faithful  and  successful  teacher. 

In  1859,  Thatcher  N.  Snow,  of  Orleans,  was  the  teacher. 

In  1860,  Elam  Porter,  of  Hartford,  Vt.,  Tufts  Coll.  1860,  who  had 
then  recently  been  appointed  teacher  of  the  Grammar  School,  was  pro- 
moted from  that  school  to  the  office  of  principal  of  the  High  School. 

In  1863,  Mr.  Porter  resigned  the  office,  for  the  purpose  of  entering 
upon  the  study  of  law. 

J.  W.  Hammond,  also  a  graduate  of  Tufts  College,  was  appointed  to 
the  vacancy,  who  continued  during  the  balance  of  the  school  year. 

In  1864,  Mr.  Porter  accepted  an  invitation  to  return  to  the  vacant 
position,  and  remained  until  1865,  when  he  resigned  for  the  purpose  of 
entering  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession.  Mr.  Porter  was  an  excel- 
lent scholar,  an  eloquent  public  speaker,  and  a  most  successful  teacher, 
possessing  the  happy  talent  of  so  interesting  his  pupils  as  to  make  them 
love  their  school,  their  studies,  and  their  teacher. 

After  leaving  this  school  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
and  commenced  practice  as  a  counsellor  at  law,  with  a  successful  and 
brilliant  prospect  opening  before  him.  But,  alas,  a  sad  catastrophe  was 
in  store  for  him.  Returning  to  Massachusetts  in  the  autumn  of  1867,  for 
the  purpose  of  entering  into  the  marriage  relation  with  a  young  lady  of 
Stoughton,  Mass.,  to  whom  he  had  been  some  time  engaged,  he  was 
one  of  the  victims  of  that  terribly  fatal  railroad  disaster  at  Angola,  O., 
by  which  not  only  was  his  life  taken,  but  his  body  was  totally  consumed 
by  the  fiery  element,  and  not  a  fragment  of  him  or  his  personal  appur- 
tenances remained  to  tell  the  sad  tale,  except  a  small  article  of  jewelry  ^ 
which  was  found  in  the  ashes  with  his  initials  thereon. 

In  1860,  a  course  of  study,  arranged  for  a  three  years'  course,  was 
adopted,  and  the  school  divided  into  three  classes. 

In  1863,  the  following  persons,  constituting  the  First  Class,  had  the 
honor  of  being  the  first  to  complete  the  prescribed  course  of  study,  and 
received  each  a  significant  and  beautiful  diploma,  the  engraving  for 
which  was  provided  by  the  generous  liberality  of  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Esq., 
namely :  — 

Loriette  Avery.  Mary  Elizabeth  Mansfield. 

Harriet  Elizabeth  Brown.  Susan  Adelaide  Stowell. 

Kosina  Baldwin  Crane.  Eunice  Adelia  Wiley. 

Susan  Maria  Deane.  Edwin  Chapin  Sweetser. 

Laura  Louisa  Eaton.  Edwin  Augustine  Townsend. 
Mary  Jeanette  George.  Morris  Plumer  Wheeler. 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

These  diplomas  were  presented  to  the  graduating  class,  in  the  Town 
Hall,  in  the  presence  of  a  numerous  assembly,  and  the  occasion  was  a 
very  interesting  one. 

Hon.  P.  H.  Sweetser,  chairman  of  the  school  committee,  made  an 
able  and  impressive  address,  and,  in  a  very  felicitous  manner,  presented 
the  diplomas. 

Mr.  Porter  followed  in  an  eloquent  and  pathetic  speech. 

Prof.  B.  F.  Tweed  and  others  made  remarks. 

Mr.  Eaton,  the  senior  member  of  the  committee,  spoke  as  follows  :  — 

This  consummation  I  have  most  devoutly  wish'd ; 
This  joyous  sight  I  Ve  long  desired  to  see  ; 
To-day  it  greets  my  eyes,  and  I  am  glad. 
I  am  no  prophet's  son  —  no  blood  of  ancient 
Or  of  modern  seers  along  my  arteries  runs  ;  — 
No  eye  clairvoyant  have  I,  the  darkness 
Of  the  future  to  explore  —  no  mind, 
With  prescience  keen,  to  pierce 
The  thick  veil'd  mysteries  of  coming  years, 
And  thus  unfold  to  present  gaze 
Their  unreveal'd  and  unken'd  wonders. 
But  I  have  hope,  and  faith,  and  expectation  ; 
To  me  this  truth  is  ever  patent,  clear  and  fix'd : 
"  The  march  of  knowledge,  ideas,  wisdom, 
Is  ever  onward,  wide-ward,  upward ; 
And  'neath  their  flowing  banners,  as  I  trust, 
Our  race,  progressive,  will  ever  tend 
To  excellence,  perfection,  and  immortal  victory." 
This  grand  result,  therefore,  this  day 
And  here  beheld,  so  pleasant  and  auspicious, 
Has  not  come  unlook'd  for  or  unhop'd. 
I  have,  moreover,  as  I  think, 
A  retrospective  gift  and  inclination 
For  the  old  paths,  by  ancient  worthies  trod. 
I  love  to  ask,  and  seek,  and  find,  and  walk  therein. 
Especially,  I  love  to  trace  the  course 
Of  philosophic  truth,  from  year  to  year, 
And  age  to  age,  in  halls  and  seats, 
Ancestral,  local,  native. 
And  while,  on  this  occasion  glad, 
On  steed  Pegasian  mounted,  o'er  the  old  track 
Of  years  by-gone,  my  course  equestrian 
I  've  pursued,  much  have  I  seen, 
I  Along  the  mossy  way,  my  interest 

To  excite,  and  admiration. 

And  't  is  the  fathers'  glory  and  the  children's  pride, 
That  mid  the  toils  severe,  the  deprivations 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 

Of  our  old  pilgrim  sires,  mid  sickness, 
Poverty  and  war,  they  ne'er  forgot 
Their  country  and  their  God  —  the  school-house 
And  the  church ;  and  to  the  utmost 
Of  their  means,  these  glorious  institutions, 
By  them  were  ever  foster'd  and  maintained. 
And  children's  children,  in  successive  years, 
As  strength  and  wealth  increas'd, 
On  that  old  pattern  wise,  have  practis'd  and  improv'd. 
The  last  half  century  the  living  memory  can  recall. 
And  standing,  as  I  do,  upon  an  epoch  eminent, 
Whence,  as  darkly  through  a  glass,  indeed, 
My  eye,  reversive,  includes  within  its  range 
Some  threescore  years  of  local  history  ; 
And  as  old  memory,  with  her  magic  lens, 
Discloses  to  my  view  the  small  and  humble  lodges, 
Where  science  once  her  votaries  received  ; 
The  lowly  shrines,  where  incense 
To  the  sacred  nine  was  offer'd ; 
The  narrow  seats  for  worshippers ; 
The  scanty  rills,  that  from  the  fount  Castalian, 
Slowly  percolated  ;  the  bare  and  naked  walls, 
Sans  maps,  sans  diagrams,  sans  everything  ; 
The  priests  and  priestesses,  rude, 
Ofttimes  illiterate,  that  once  essay'd 
To  ope  the  sacred  recesses,  and  unfold 
The  golden  treasures  of  knowledges  divine  ; 
And  when  the  shadow  of  this  poor 
And  paltry  view,  in  contrast  visible, 
Is  plac'd  with  to-day's  bright  facts 
And  grand  realities  — 
When  we  behold  the  temples  lofty, 
To  science  consecrated,  that  lift 
Their  turret  towers  and  portals  free, 
On  every  side,  —  temples,  if  not 
Of  Parian  marble  built,  and  Porsine  stone, 
Like  that  which  grac'd  old  Delphi's  plain, 
Yet  still  are  handsome,  spacious,  and  commodious  ; 
Where  muses  love  to  congregate, 
And,  from  their  shrines  and  altars, 
Infuse  their  inspirations  ; 

Where  maps  and  diagrams,  pictures  and  portraits, 
And  apparatus  philosophical, 
At  once  attract,  illustrate  and  adorn  ; 
Where  priestesses,  accomplished,  fair. 
And  porters,  strong  and  learn'd,  now  turn 
The  Eleusinian  doors,  and  unseal 
The  mystic  oracles  sublime  ;  — 
33 


257 


258  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

And  better  still  —  when  here  a  class  of  youth 

Appears,  who  wisely  have  avail'd 

Of  these  high  privileges,  have  largely  quaft'd 

The  inspiring  streams  of  science, 

Have  sought,  with  toil  and  hope,  and  have  secur'd 

The  prizes  rich  that  wisdom  gives  — 

And  have  enjoyed  an  academic  course, 

At  home  pursued,  how  profitably  and  well, 

These  theses,  just  pronounced,  so  full 

Of  thought,  research,  and  noble  sentiment, 

Most  elo'quently  tell ;  — 

And  as  they  stand  before  us,  the  advanced  rank 

Of  a  long  line  successive  of  graduates 

Yet  to  come,  and  to  this  our  common 

Theatre  and  fcrum  are  come  up, 

T'  assume  the  laurels  they  have  earn'd, 

Receive  the  public  commendations, 

Take  title  deeds  to  honor  and  to  praise  ; 

With  chaplet  rolls,  with  autographs 

Official  stamp'd  ;  certificates, 

Engrav'd  in  highest  art  and  beauty, 

And  thus  enrich 'd  by  aid  of  gift  munificent, 

Received  from  patron,  generous  and  wise, 

Who  thus  a  glory  gains,  nobler  and  more  to  be  desir'd 

Than  his  illustrious  namesake  e'er  achiev'd 

As  conqueror  of  mighty  Babylon  ;  — 

As  on  this  vision  bright  I  look  and  gaze, 

And  realize  its  value,  truth,  and  certainty, 

I'm  fill'd  with  joy,  and  thanks,  and  gratulation, 

And  in  conclusion  must  exclaim,  as  I  began, 

I  've  long'd  to  see  this  happy  day, 

I  see  it,  and  am  glad. 

In  1865,  Mr.  Robert  F.  Leighton,  of  Tufts  College,  was  appointed 
principal,  and  in  1866  accepted  the  office  of  principal  of  Melrose  high 
school,  with  an  increased  salary. 

Mr.  Leighton  was  an  excellent  and  popular  teacher,  and  should  not 
have  been  allowed  to  leave  for  lack  of  compensation,  for  he  was  "  cheap 
at  any  price." 

Mr.  Leighton  was  succeeded  by  Henry  B.  Brown,  who  resigned  in 
1867. 

Mr.  Brown  was  succeeded  by  Benj.  P.  Snow,  who  resigned  in  1869. 

In  1869,  Mr.  Melvin  J.  Hill,  from  Biddeford,  Me.,  a  graduate  of  Bow- 
doin  College,  was  appointed  principal,  and  still  retains  that  position. 

Miss  Abbie  F.  Nye  has  been  assistant  teacher  during  the  same 
time. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


259 


The  following  list  includes  the  high  school  graduates  up  to  and 
including  the  year  1873  :  — 


Emma  Augusta  Coffin. 
Sarah  Dorsett  Hamblin. 
Annie  Evelyn  Kingman. 
Sarah  Josephine  Lane. 

Ellen  Anna  Turnbull. 
Ida  A.  Emerson. 
Joseph  Oliver  Burditt. 


Sarah  H.  Norcross. 
Sophia  F.  Hamblin. 
Carrie  E.  Stevens. 

Hannah  Maria  Cartwright 
Lucy  Ella  Evans. 
Mary  Louisa  Mansfield. 
Mary  Ellen  Nichols. 
Lizzie  Rebecca  Preston. 


1864. 


1865. 


1866. 
None. 

1867. 


1868. 


Ella  Eliza  Morrison. 
Jane  Smith  Turnbull. 
Emma  M.  Warren. 
Mary  Ella  Winship. 


J.  P.  Sheafe,  Jr. 
Alfred  S.  Stowell. 


Clara  A.  Willis. 
Peter       Wiley. 


Viola  Sophronia  Slocomb. 
Alice  Robina  Turnbull. 
Lizzie  Roxanna  Upham. 
Frank  Dillingham  Freeman. 


1869. 


Addie  E.  Doe. 


Cora  Brown  Bancroft 
Ella  Josephine  Davis. 
Clara  Eliza  Emerson. 

Ella  Ida  Burditt 
Laura  Josephine  Mansfield. 
Edith  Estelle  Pattee. 
Emma  Frances  Perkins. 


Mary  Anne  Burditt 
Lorette  Pratt  Emerson. 
Frances  Louise  Hartshorne. 
Julia  Louise  Hopkins. 
Frances  Isabella  Hubbard. 
Annie  Rebecca  Killorin. 


1870. 


1871. 


1872. 
None. 

1873- 


Hattie  Eliza  Emerson, 
Emily  Alice  Lane. 
Etta  May  Stearns. 

Marry  Ellen  Tuttle. 
Mary  Annie  Warren. 
Alvin  Francis  Daland. 
Arthur  Gould  Walton. 


Hattie  Grey  Mansfield. 
Alice  Rosamond  Phillips. 
Emma  Lucy  Uphara. 
George  Covington  Cooper. 
Frank  Louis  Sullivan. 
Selim  Sheffield  White. 


26o 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


In  1847,  the  land  and  building,  farmerly  occupied  by  the  South 
Reading  Academy,  were  purchased  by  the  town  for  $2,200,  and  the 
high  school  installed  in  the  building.  Two  centre  primary  schools 
also  have  rooms  in  this  building. 

In  the  same  year,  four  new  school-houses,  costing  about  $2,000  each, 
were  erected  in  the  North,  South,  East  and  West  Districts,  the  same 
that  are  now  occupied  by  the  schools  in  those  districts.  In  1853,  the 
present  grammar  school-house  was  erected  in  the  high  school-house  yard, 
at  a  cost  of  $4,000.  It  is  a  large  and  convenient  building,  containing 
four  spacious  school-rooms  and  other  accommodations.  It  is  occupied 
by  the  grammar  school,  centre  senior  and  two  centre  junior  schools. 

The  annual  appropriations  for  schools  by  the  town  of  South  Read- 
ing, since  its  incorporation,  have  been  as  follows :  — 


1812  to 
1815, 
1816  to 
1819, 
1820  to 
1823, 
1824  to 
1826  to 
1831  to 
1833  to 

1835. 

1836, 
1837, 

1838  to 
1840  to 

1844, 

1845  to 

1847, 
1848, 


1814,  inclusive, 
1818,  inclusive, 
1822,  inclusive, 

1825,  inclusive, 
1830, 

1832,         " 
1834,         " 


1839,  inclusive, 
1843,         " 

1846,  inclusive, 


£350 

oo 

184.9  to  1850,  inclusive, 

£1,800  oo 

500 

00 

1851, 

2,100  oo 

'560 

00 

1852  to  1853,  inclusive, 

2,400  oo 

580 

oo 

1854, 

2,800  oo 

520 

00 

1855, 

2,900  oo 

300 

oo 

1856, 

3,55°  oo 

500 

oo 

1857  to  1859,  inclusive, 

3,800  oo 

510 

oo 

1860, 

4,200  oo 

57° 

00 

1861  and  1862, 

4,300  oo 

580 

oo 

1863.     These  four  years  include 

3,559  79 

800 

00 

1864,          income     from     State 

4,125  87 

850 

00 

1865,           School  Fund. 

4,142  37 

1,045 

oo 

1866, 

.5.151  05 

1,000 

oo 

1867, 

5,500  oo 

I,2CO 

00 

1868, 

6,000  oo 

1,400 

00 

1869, 

6,500  oo 

1,  6OO 

oo 

1870  and  1871, 

7,500  oo 

1,  800 

oo 

1872, 

9,200  oo 

IJ80 

CO 

1873, 

12,500  oo 

The  school  committee  of  South 

Amos  Boardman,  1812,  '13. 

Lilley  Eaton,  Jr.,  1812. 

Paul  Sweetser,  1812. 

Caleb  Green,  1812. 

John  Sweetser,  1813. 

Thomas  Swain,  1813,  '21,  '29. 

Benj'n  Badger,  1814. 

David  Smith  1814. 

Wm.  Nichols,  1815  k>  iXio^inclu- 

sive. 
James  HaiLshom,  ivi   ,  '25,  '28. 


Reading  have  been  :  — 

Joseph  Hartshorn,  1827. 

Thaddeus  P.  Allen,  1827. 

Benj.  Emerson,  1828. 

Hiram  Sweetser,  1828. 

Lemuel  Sweetser,  1829,  '30,  '31. 

Nathan  Richardson,  1829. 

Issacher  Stowell,  1830. 

Isaac  Green,  1830. 

P.  H.  Sweetser,  1831  to  '33,  inclu. 

'54,  '59  to  '64,  inclu.,  '66  to  '68,, 

inclu.,  '/o  and  '71. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  PEADING. 


26l 


John  Waitt,  1815,  '22. 

James  Walton,  1815. 

Ebenezer  Wiley,  1816. 

Wm.  Gould,  1816,  '22,  '31,  '32. 

Reuben  Green,  1816. 

John  B.  Atwell,  1817,  '22. 

Joseph  Eaton,  1817. 

Adam  Hawkes,  1817. 

Aaron  Cowdrey,  1818. 

Joshua  Tweed,  1818,  '23. 

Barzillai  Reed,  1819. 

Joseph  Atwell,  1818,  '30,  '31. 

Ezekiel  Oliver,  1819,  '20. 

Thomas  Evans,  1819,  '26. 

Benja.  Badger,  Jr.,  1820. 

John  Lambert,  1820. 

Wm.  Emerson,  1821. 

Thaddeus    Spaulding,    1821,   '28, 

'42,  '43- 

Zela  Bartlett,  1821. 
Wm.  Patch,  1822. 
Suel  Winn,  1823,  '29. 
Daniel  Green,  1823. 
Benj.  B.  Wiley,  1823. 
Thomas  Emerson,  Jr.,  1824,  '30, 

'36,  '37- 

Moses  Sweetser,  Jr.,  1824,  '27. 
Joseph  Eaton,  Jr.,  1824,  '29. 
Asa  L.  Boardman,  1824. 
Nathan  Green,  1825. 
Lilley  Eaton,  1825  and  '28,  '31  to 

'38  inclu.,  '41  to  '49  inclu.,  '56 

to  '63,  inclu. 
Michael  Burditt,  1826. 
Ebenezer  Hartshorn,  1826. 
Leonard  Walton,  1826. 
E.  M.  Cunningham,  1*26. 
Elam  Potter,  1864. 
Chester  W.  Eaton,  1864  to  '69,  inclu. 
Charles  R.  Bliss,  to  1865,  '67,  inclu., 

'70,  '71,  '72,  '73. 
George  Bullen,  1865  and  '66. 
James  O.  Boswell,  1867  to  '69,  inclu. 
T.  Albert  Emerson,  1867  to  1870, 

inclu. 


Reuben  Gerry,  1832. 

Aaron  Cowdrey,  Jr.,  1832. 

Franklin  Poole,  1833,  '48. 

Harrison  Tweed,  1834. 

Aaron  Foster,  1835  to  '48,  inclu., 
and  '50. 

Charles  H.  Hill,  1838. 

Lemuel  Sweetser,  1838. 

Samuel  A.  Toothaker,  1839. 

Reuben  Emerson,  1839. 

Loel  Sweetser,  1840. 

James  M.  Evans,  1840,  '41,  '58. 

Edward  Mansfield,  1843,  '44»  '58 
to  '68,  inclu. 

Jonas  Evans,   184    to, '47,  inclusive. 

Wm.  Heath,  1849. 

Wm.  W.  Cutler,  1849. 

Wm.  H.  Willis,  1850,  '57. 

Abel  F.  Hutchinson,  1850. 

Alfred  Emerson,  1851  to '53,  inclu. 

Benj.  F.  Tweed,  1851,  '54,  '56. 

John  H.  Moore,  1851  to  '53,  inclu. 

Daniel  W.  Phillips,  1852  to '55,  inclu. 

John  S.  March,  1854. 

Joshua  Walton,  1854. 

Jonas  Cowdrey,  1854. 

Ellis  Wiley,  1854,  '57. 

Benton  Smith,  1855. 

Everett  Hart,  1856,  '63  to  '65,  inclu. 

Edmund  E.  Wiley,  1856. 

James  M.  Sweetser,  1856,  '64. 

Elisha  S.  Oliver,  1856. 

John  \Vinship,  1857  to  '62,  inclu. 

E.  A.  Upton,   1857,  '6 1  to  '66,  in- 
clu., '70,  '71,  '72. 

Aaron  A.  Foster,  1859  to  '64,  inclu., 

1870,  '71. 

James  W.  Willmarth,  1868  to  1870, 
inclu. 

Lucius  Bcebe,  1870,  '71,  '72,  '73. 

Charles  Jordan,  1870,  '71. 
Cyrus  Wakefield,  1872,  '73. 
Thomas  Winship,  1872,  '73. 

Samuel  W.  Abbott,  18/2,  '73. 

W.  F.  Potter,  1873. 


The  whole  number  of  schools  in  Wakefield  at  present  (1873),  is  17. 
Number  of  teachers,  23. 


262  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Whole  number  of  children  between  five  and  fifteen  years  of 
age,  as  reported  May  i,  1873    ....... 

"  "         May  i,  1872 

Gain        ....... 

Being  more  than  enough  for  three  new  schools  of  sixty  each. 

The  following  statistics  are  copied  from  the  36th  annual  State 
Report  of  the  Board  of  Education,  just  issued  :  — 

From  Table  ist  —  During  the  financial  year  ending  April  i,  1872, 
Wakefield  expended  $10  63.8  (ten  dollars  sixty-three  cents  and  eight 
mills)  for  the  education  of  each  child  in  the  town  between  five  and 
fifteen  years  of  age. 

Her  rank  according  to  this  table  was  the  eighty-fourth  town  in  the 
State  in  a  list  of  342  towns,  and  the  twenty-ninth  in  Middlesex  County 
in  a  list  of  fifty-six  towns. 

From  Table  2d  —  The  percentage  of  taxable  property  appropriated 
to  the  support  of  public  schools  for  the  same  year  was  expressed  by 
the  decimal  .002^^. 

According  to  this  table  her  rank  was  212  in  the  same  list  of  342 
towns  in  the  State,  and  thirty-three  in  the  county  list  of  fifty-six  towns. 

From  Table  3d — The  average  attendance  of  the  children  of  Wakefield 
at  the  public  schools  for  the  same  year  was  .75  ^u  per  cent. 

According  to  this  table  her  rank  in  the  State  list  of  towns  was  172. 
In  the  county  list,  41. 

During  the  past  two  years,  music  has  been  taugh  systematically  in 
our  schools  by  a  competent  teacher,  who  gives  instruction  to  every 
school  in  town  once  a  week. 

By  a  recent  act  of  Legislature,  drawing  is  now  made  one  of  the 
regular,  or  compulsory  studies  of  all  schools  in  the  State.  In  compli- 
ance with  this  law,  the  school  committee  have  introduced  drawing 
into  all  the  schools  of  Wakefield,  instruction  being  given  in  this  branch 
also  by  a  thorough  teacher,  specially  employed  for  the  purpose. 

At  the  recent  exhibitions  of  our  public  schools,  at  the  close  of  the 
summer  term,  good  evidence  was  given  of  progress  in  both  these 
branches  of  instruction. 

The  establishment  of  a  training  school  at  the  centre  of  the  town  is 
also  contemplated  for  the  purpose  of  giving  instruction  to  the  young 
ladies,  graduates  of  the  high  school,  in  the  art  of  teaching. 

By  a  vote  of  the  town  in  April,  1873,  the  school  committee  were 
authorized  to  appoint  a  superintendent  of  schools. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  263 

This  action  was  made  necessary  in  consequence  of  the  rapid  growth 
of  the  town,  and  increase  in  the  number  of  schools,  and  the  fact  that 
their  supervision  could  b*e  better  performed  by  one  person,  who  could 
devote  his  entire  attention  to  them,  than  by  several  men  of  varied 
pursuits,  who  could  give  but  a  small  share  of  their  time  to  the  work. 

At  this  last  meeting,  held  July  16,  1873,  the  school  committee 
appointed  Mr.  Jonathan  Kimball,  of  Chelsea,  superintendent  of  ptblic 
schools  of  Wakefield. 

Mr.  Kimball  is  well  qualified  for  the  work,  having  had  many  years 
of  experience  as  an  educator,  and  having  been  for  several  years  super- 
intendent of  schools  in  Salem,  Mass. 

The  school  history  of  the  present  town  of  Reading,  since  1811,  we 
have  condensed  from  the  Reading  School  Report  of  1868. 

In  1818,  the  South  Parish  of  Reading  became  legally  organized  as 
a  separate  school  district,  leaving  the  North  Parish  to  conduct  its  own 
school  affairs  independently. 

This  new  district,  it  seems,  had  at  this  time  but  two  schools  and  two 
school-houses — one  school-house  in  the  central  part,  and  one  in  the 
westerly  part  of  the  district.  But  this  year  the  district  made  an  arrange- 
ment with  the  parish,  which  had  just  erected  a  new  meeting-house,  for 
the  removal  of  the  old  meeting-house  from  the  Common  to  the  corner 
of  Union  and  Middle  Streets,  and  paid  a  portion  of  the  expense  of 
repairing  and  fitting  up  the  same  for  public  meetings  and  school-rooms, 
in  consideration  that  the  district  should  have  school  room  therein,  and 
that  the  parish  should  relinquish  all  claim  upon  the  school-houses  in 
the  district 

In  1827,  the  town  divided  this  district  into  three  distinct  districts, 
viz.  Centre,  West,  and  North;  and  in  1834  the  South  District  was 
established.  These  districts  became  legally  organized,  and  conducted 
their  own  school  affairs  until  the  districts  were  abolished  by  vote  of  the 
town  of  Reading  in  1864. 

In  1835,  the  Centre  District  hired  additional  room  in  the  old  church 
building,  which  was  now  named  "  Union  Hall  "  ;  and  in  1840  secured 
and  fitted  up  the  whole  of  the  lower  story  of  said  building  for  school 
purposes. 

In  1848,  more  school  accommodations  being  wanted  in  this  district, 
a  very  lively  contest  arose  in  reference  to  a  location  of  a  new  school- 
house.  After  a  prolonged  struggle,  the  matter  was  finally  settled  by  the 
erection  of  the  house  at  the  corner  of  Union  and  John  Streets,  where  it 
still  remains. 


264  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

In  1856,  the  Centre  District  purchased  of  the  parish  the  Union  Hall 
building,  since  which  the  whole  building  has  been  used  for  educational 
purposes ;  and,  although  it  is  a  hundred  years  old,  it  is  said  to  be  the 
stanchest  wooden  building  in  the  town  at  the  present  time. 

The  South  District,  established  in  1834,  erected  the  same  year  a 
school-house  on  the  corner  of  Summer  and  Walnut  Streets,  which  was 
occtlpied  by  this  district  until  1853,  when  it  was  moved  to  Washington 
Street,  and  converted  into  a  dwelling ;  and  now  (1868)  occupied  by 
Lorenzo  D.  White.  During  the  same  year  (1853)  their  present  house 
was  erected  upon  the  same  locality,  and  accommodates  two  schools. 

In  1836,  there  was  quite  an  animated  movement  in  the  westerly  part 
of  the  parish,  in  favor  of  a  new  school  district  in  that  part  of  the  town. 

The  people  of  "  Slab  City,"  so  called  in  the  school  report,  presented 
petition  after  petition  to  the  town  for  this  object,  but  the  town  peremp- 
torily refused  to  grant  the  request.  Whereupon  the  people  appealed  to 
the  General  Court.  This  appeal  produced  the  desired  effect.  The 
town  yielded.  A  new  district  was  organized  in  this  locality,  and  a 
school-house  erected  on  Grove  Street,  a  little  west  of  Forest  Street, 
which  was  used  until  1866,  when  it  was  sold,  and  a  new  house  erected 
for  this  school  by  the  town  (the  districts  having  in  the  mean  time  been 
abolished)  on  Lowell  Street,  near  the  intersection  of  Washington  Street, 
at  a  cost,  with  the  lot,  of  $3,000. 

The  North  District,  in  1844,  was  divided,  and  a  new  school-house 
was  built  on  Main  Street,  near  the  residence  of  George  Batchelder,  Esq. 

The  year  1856  is  notable  for  the  establishment  of  the  Reading  high 
school.  The  North  Parish  of  Reading  was  incorporated  as  a  distinct 
town  in  1853. 

For  several  years  prior  to  this,  efforts  had  been  made  to  establish  a 
high  school,  but  the  people  of  the  north  part  of  the  town  being  a  scat- 
tered population,  were,  as  a  matter  of  course,  opposed  to  a  project 
which  would  be  of  but  little  benefit  to  them,  and  so  every  effort  failed. 
But,  after  the  setting  off  of  North  Reading,  the  establishment  of  such  a 
school  began  to  be  agitated  in  earnest. 

It  continued  to  be  an  exciting  question  in  town-meetings  until  1856, 
when  the  town  voted  to  establish  a  high  school.  This  school  was  kept 
for  several  years  in  the  "  Union  Hall  Building,"  which  was  hired  for 
the  purpose,  and  for  a  while  in  "  Cottage  Hall,"  in  "  Mudyille,"  so 
called ;  but,  in  1867,  there  was  erected  for  the  use  of  the  high  and 
grammar  schools,  on  the  very  spot  occupied  by  a  school-house  a  hun- 
dred years  before,  a  new  structure,  spacious,  substantial,  and  elegant, 
an  ornament  to  the  village,  and  a  credit  to  the  town. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 

This  fine  building  is  sixty  feet  long  by  fifty-five  feet  wide,  and  con- 
tains, on  the  first  floor,  two  school-rooms,  forty  feet  by  twenty-eight  feet 
each,  and  a  room  for  the  town  library,  forty  feet  by  fifteen  feet ;  the 
second  floor  contains  the  high  school  room,  fifty-eight  feet  long  and 
forty  feet  wide,  and  two  recitation  rooms.  The  house  is  heated  by  two 
furnaces  in  the  cellar,  and  all  the  rooms  are  ventilated  in  the  most 
approved  manner.  Its  cost  was  about  $12,000.  It  is  located  on'the 
Common,  sixty  feet  west  of  the  "  Old  South  Meeting-house,"  on  a  beau- 
tiful and  elevated  spot,  and  makes  a  very  imposing  appearance. 

The  building  committee  of  the  town,  to  whom  much  credit  is  due 
for  the  wisdom  and  skill  with  which  they  planned  and  executed  this 
enterprise,  were  Henry  G.  Richardson,  F.  H.  Knight,  J.  Henry  Adden, 
Nathan  P.  Pratt,  Edward  Appleton,  Gardner  French,  and  Ephraim  Hunt. 

The  house  was  dedicated  Dec.  9,  1867,  with  appropriate  public  exer- 
cises. A  dedicatory  prayer  was  offered  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Willcox,  of 
Reading.  The  keys  were  passed  with  appropriate  remarks  from  the 
hands  of  Nathan  P.  Pratt,  Esq.,  the  president  of  the  occasion,  through 
those  of  the  chairman  of  the  selectmen  of  the  town,  Wm.  J.  Wightman, 
Esq.,  and  of  Hiram  Barrus,  chairman  of  the  school  committee,  to  E. 
H.  Peabody,  Esq.,  principal  of  the  high  school. 

The  occasion  was  honored  with  the  presence  of  Hon.  Joseph  White, 
Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and  pf  Hon.  J.  D.  Philbrick, 
superintendent  of  the  public  schools  of  Boston,  who  made  interesting 
remarks ;  addresses  were  also  made  by  Hon.  H.  P.  Wakefield,  Rev. 
Dr.  Barrows,  and  F.  H.  Knight  and  Andrew  Howes,  Esquires. 

In  1864,  the  town  took  possession  of  all  the  property  of  the  several 
districts,  allowing  them  therefor  the  sum  of  $12,476.64;  and  having 
assumed  all  the  liabilities  of  the  districts,  made  a  tax  to  cover  the 
balance,  and  remitted  to  each  tax-payer  in  his  annual  town  tax  his  pro- 
portion of  the  amount  due  his  district  for  the  property  surrendered ; 
thus  abolishing  the  district  system.  The  result  of  this  action  has 
proved  quite  satisfactory  and  beneficial. 

HISTORICAL.* 

The  High  School  was  first  established  in  this  town  in  1856.  There 
was  no  prescribed  course  of  study  for  several  years,  and  no  class 
graduated  till  1863.  '^he  first  principal  of  the  school  was  Henry 
A.  Littell,  who  remained  till  near  the  close  of  1858.  He  was  succeeded 

*  This  historical  record  of  the  Reading  schools  has  been  furnished  since  the  former 
was  written,  and  may  prove,  in  part,  a  repetition. 
34 


266  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

by  Mr.  Philip  C.  Porter.  Mr.  R.  B.  Clarke,  now  of  Fitchburg,  taught 
during  the  summer  and  fall  terms  in  1860,  when  Mr.  L.  B.  Pillsbury 
was  employed  for  the  winter  term.  He  remained  in  charge  of  the 
school  till  the  close  of  the  spring  term  in  1864.  Mr.  George  L.  Bax- 
ter taught  for  two  terms,  and  Mr.  Charles  R.  Brown  was  employed  to 
succeed  him.  Mr.  Brown  remained  here  only  a  year.  Mr.  George 
W.  Adams  was  employed  in  December,  1865,  but  resigned  in  three 
weeks.  Mr.  Edward  H.  Peabody  next  succeeded,  and  remained  till  the 
close  of  the  spring  term  in  1868.  Mr.  Cyrus  Cole,  the  present  teacher, 
was  then  selected  for  the  position  which  he  still  so  acceptably  fills. 

The  first  assistant  teacher  in  the  high  school,  Miss  Emeline  P. 
Wakefield,  was  employed  in  1865-66  ;  Miss  Ruth  L.  Pratt,  1866-67  ; 
Miss  Mary  H.  Howes,  1867-68 ;  Miss  Josie  Nelson  and  Mrs.  C.  A. 
Soule,  1868-69  >  Miss  Rissie  L.  Hoyt,  1869-70 ;  Miss  Mary  H. 
Howes,  1870-71.  Miss  Susie  E.  Wade  held  the  position  for  two  terms, 
when  she  was  succeeded  by  Miss  Martha  Keith. 

HIGH    SCHOOL    GRADUATES. 

I863. 

Frederic  Bancroft.  S.  Maria  Parker. 

Esther  Emerson.  Lena  A.  Wakefield. 

1864. 
Sarah  E.  Pratt  Emma  Prescott 

1865. 

Mary  S.  Brown.  Lizzie  M.  Wakefield. 

Ella  M.  Pinkham.  Hattie  L.  Weston. 

Ruth  L.  Pratt.  Gilman  L.  Parker. 

Emeline  P.  Wakefield. 

1866. 

Bella  M.  Badger.  Fred.  O.  Carter. 

Melvina  Bancroft.  Priscilla  Leathe. 

Edna  S.  Barrus.  Clara  Richardson. 

Flora  A.  Buxton. 

1867. 

Sarah  E.  Austin.  Josie  Nelson. 

Mary  H.  Howes.  Eliza  J.  Norris. 

Evelyn  S.  Foster.  Ella  R.  Parker. 

Ella  L.  Kingman.  Sidney  P.  Pratt 

1868. 

Ella  J.  Bassett  Nathan  D.  Pratt 

Clara  E.  Bancroft.  Austin  P.  Cristy. 

Sarah  W.  Richardson. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


267 


1869. 


A.  Newell  Howes. 
Maria  J.  Bancroft, 
Alice  S.  Drown. 
Phebe  G.  Ilarnden. 


Herbert  Barrows. 
George  II.  Barrus. 
Frank  E.  Hutchins. 


Frank  E.  Appleton. 
Wilder  C.  Moulton. 
Willie  I.  Ruggles. 
Arthur  W.  Temple. 
Lizzie  A.  Burrill. 
Lizzie  F.  B.  Clark. 
Margaret  F.  Clark. 


Walter  B.  Barrows. 
Jennie  R.  Barrus. 
Ida  I.  Bassett 
Mary  E.  Bucke. 
Nellie  Burrill. 
H.  Irving  Converse. 
Belle  P.  Dinsmoore. 
Emma  Eames. 
George  Louis  Flint 
E.  II.  Gowing. 
Mina  W.  Hall. 


Morton  Barrows. 
Emma  F.  Eames. 
Nellie  Minot. 
Mary  E.  Nichols. 
Annie  B.  Parker. 


L.  Maria  Lovejoy. 
Abbie  M.  Parker. 
Abbie  S.  Perkins. 
Celia  Temple. 


1870. 


Ella  F.  Clark. 
Ida  George. 
Anna  M.  Hutchins. 


1871. 


1872. 


M.  Lizzie  Day. 
Hannie  L.  Hill. 
Sarah  L.  Stoodley. 
Z.  Abbie  Wakefield. 
Sarah  A.  Weston. 
Nellie  G.  Willcox. 


Horace  B.  Holdeo. 
Cynthia  E.  Hollis. 
Addie  B.  Howes. 
Charles  II.  Hutchinson. 
Lillie  F.  Loring. 
L.  Gertrude  Mclntire. 
Hattie  A.  Parker. 
Lizzie  M.  Penney. 
Hattie  B.  Pratt 
Minnie  A.  Willcor. 
Eristina  Whittier. 


'873- 


Florence  Parker. 
Ada  L.  Safford. 
Ella  F.  Wakefield. 
Ida  R.  Whittier. 


GRADUATES   OF  TEACHERS'   NORMAL   SCHOOLS,   AND    STUDENTS. 

Bridgewater  Normal  School. 
Lena  A.  Wakefield.  Ella  J.  Bassett 


Esther  Emerson. 
Sarah  E.  Pratt 
Ella  R.  Parker. 
Abbie  M.  Parker. 


Emma  Prescott 
Cassie  Barrows. 
Maria  J.  Bancroft 


258  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Salem  Normal  School. 

Evelyn  S.  Foster.  Gertie  L.  Mclntire. 

Mary  Jane  Spear.  Minnie  A.  Willcox. 

Boston  Normal  School. 

Alice  S.  Brown.  Jessie  McDonald. 

Abbie  S.  Perkins. 

The  annual  appropriations  for  schools  by  the  town  of  Reading,  since 
1811  (which  included  North  Reading  until  1853),  have  been:  — 


1812  to 

1820,  inclusive, 

$650  oo 

1858, 

$2,500  oo 

1821, 

600  oo 

1822  to 

1832,  inclusive, 

700  oo 

1859  to  1860,  inclusive, 

3,000  oo 

1833  " 

1834,    " 

900  oo 

1861  "  1863, 

2,500  oo 

1835, 

,000  00 

1864, 

3,500  oo 

1836  to 

1839,  inclusive, 

,200  00 

1865, 

4,000  oo 

1840  " 

1845,    « 

,300  oo 

1866, 

4,500  oo 

1846, 

,500  oo 

1867, 

4,750  oo 

1847, 

,800  oo 

1868, 

5,000  oo 

184810 

1851,  inclusive,     : 

2,000  00 

1869, 

5,500  oo 

1852, 

5,500  oo 

1870, 

7,000  oo 

1853, 

5,000  00 

1871, 

7,000  oo 

1854  to 

1856,  inclusive,     j 

1,500  oo 

1872, 

S,ooo  oo 

1857, 

j,6oo  oo 

1873, 

8,500  oo 

The  school  committee  of  the  present  town  of  Reading,   since  1811, 
have  been :  — 

John  Weston,  1812.  Theron  Parker,  1836. 

Thaddeus  B.  Pratt,  1812.  Isaac  Woodbury,  1842. 

James  Weston,  Jr.,  1813.  Horace  P.  Wakefield,  1846,  '65  to 

Jonathan  Baldwin,  1813,  '22.  '67. 

Wm.  Parker,  1814,  '15.  Alfred  A.  Prescott,  1847. 

Timothy  Hartshorn,  1814,  George  Minot,  1848. 

Amos  Parker,  1815.  John  Cookson,  1849,  '50. 

Abijah  Weston,  1816.  Richard  F.  Fuller,  1852. 

John  Damon,  1816,  '21.  Wm.  J.  Wightman,  1852,  '53,  '55, 

David  Pratt,  1817.  '56,  '68,  '69-74. 

Daniel  Damon,  Jr.,  1817.  Stillman    E.   Parker,    1854    to  '57, 

Jethro  Richardson,  1818.  '61  to  '65,  '68,  '69-74. 

Eben  D.  Symonds,  1818.  Henry  F.  Parker,  1854. 

Jeremiah  Nichols,  1819.  Nathan  P.  Pratt,  1855. 

Jonas  Parker,  Jr.,  1819.  Robert  Kemp,  1855,  '56. 

Daniel  Temple,  1819.  Edward  K.  Fuller,  1855,  '56. 

Daniel  Pratt,  1820.  Isaac  Pitman,  1857,  '58. 

Aaron  Parker,  Jr.,  1820.  Edward  Appleton,  1858. 

Obed  Symonds,  1821.  Ignatius  Sargent,  1858. 

Joshua  Prescott,  1821.  John  H.  Bancroft,  1859  to  '64. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


269 


Thomas  Parker,  1822. 

George  Batchelder,  1823. 

Charles  Temple,  1823. 

John  Nichols,  1824. 

Thomas  Sweetser,  1824. 

John  Adden,  1824. 

David  Ball,  1825. 

Joseph  Spokesfield,  1825. 

Timothy  Wakefield,  Jr.,  1825. 

John  Emerson,  1826. 

Jabez  D.  Parker,  1826. 

Ambrose  Kingman,  1826. 

Jarcd  Reid,  182710  1832,  inclusive, 

John  Batchelder,  4th,  1828,  '31  to 

'41,  '43  to  '54,  '57  to  62. 
Joseph  M.  Driver,  1829,  '30. 
Kendall  Davis,  1833,  '34,  '36,  '51. 
Aaron  Pickett,  1835,  '37  to  '45,  '47. 


Horatio  N.  Gate,  1859,  '60. 

Nathan  R.  Morse,  1863  to  '65. 

Hiram  Barrus,  1865  to  1874. 

Benjamin  M.  Hartshorn,  1865  10*67. 

Ephraim  Hunt,  1867,  '68,  '69,  '70. 

Miss  Anna  E.  Appleton,  1868,  '69. 
"     Emily  Ruggles,  1868,  '69. 

F.  H.  Knight,  1868,  '69. 

Chas.  B.  Mclntire,   1863,  '69,  '70, 
•71,  '72. 

Mrs.  Edna  S.  Parker,  1868,  '69. 

Miss  Ellen  M.  Temple,    1868   (re- 
signed). 

J.  R.  Morton.  i36g,  '70.  '71. 

C.  D.  Wright,  1872,  '73,  '74. 

A.  E.  Winship,  l3'2,  '73. 

Sidney  B.  Pratt,  1873,  '74. 


NORTH  READING. 

That  part  of  old  Reading  which  now  constitutes  the  town  of  North 
Reading  began  to  be  settled  about  the  year  1680.  In  1685  it  contained 
only  eight  adult  males.  The  earliest  reference  to  schooling  in  this  part 
of  the  town  is  contained  in  the  vote  of  the  town  of  Reading  passed  in 
1693,  which  authorized  the  establishment  of  a  free  school  in  the  town, 
and  appropriated  for  its  support  seven  pounds,  one  pound  of  which  was 
to  be  for  those  who  live  on  the  north  side  of  Ipswich  River,  if  they  shall 
set  up  a  school  for  reading  and  writing,  with  discretionary  power  to  the 
selectmen  to  increase  the  expenditure  in  the  same  proportion. 

No  school-house,  it  is  believed,  was  erected  here  for  many  years  after 
this.  In  1731,  we  find  that  a  committee  was  chosen  "to  provide  a 
place  to  keep  school  in." 

In  1745,  the  North  Parish  voted  to  build  a  school-house  during  the 
present  season.  It  is  doubtful  ^whether  this  vote  was  carried  out  at 
that  time,  for,  in  1754,  the  parish  voted  "that  some  particular  persons 
have  liberty  to  set  a  school-house  on  the  land  near  the  meeting-house, 
provided  they  do  it  on  their  own  cost  and  charges."  A  house  erected 
on  the  Common,  in  accordance  with  this  vote,  is  supposed  to  be  the 
first  school-house  of  North  Reading. 

School-houses  were  erected  soon  after  in  the  north,  east,  west,  and 
south  parts  of  the  town,  probably  by  voluntary  contributions.  After 
the  erection  of  their  second  meeting-house  in  1752,  their  first  meeting- 
house was  removed  a  short  distance  to  land  since  owned  by  the  Grosve- 


270 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


nor  family,  and  there  used  for  a  school-house  a  few  years,  probably 
until  the  erection  of  their  first  school-house. 

The  first  school-house  in  the  west  part  of  the  parish  stood  on  the 
north  side  of  the  road,  east  of  the  residence  of  Geo.  Flint,  Esq.,  and 
was  burned  about  1840.  It  was  probably  erected  about  1786. 

The  first  school-house  in  the  north  part  of  the  parish  is  thus  described 
by  Dea.  Addison  Flint,  who  attended  school  in  it  in  1785  or  '6,  and  his 
description  of  this  house  will  answer,  perhaps,  to  furnish  an  idea  of  the 
other  ancient  houses.  He  says:  "It  was  somewhat  longer  than  wide, 
without  clapboards,  ceiled  inside,  with  benches  against  the  ceiling  on 
three  sides ;  the  writing-table  in  front  of  these  seats,  on  cross  legs, 
made  of  thick  plank;  movable  benches  for  small  children;  small  oak 
table  in  the  centre,  with  a  round  top  ;  arm-chair  for  the  teacher  ;  two 
windows  in  front,  one  in  the  east  and  one  in  the  west  side  ;  fireplace  to 
take  in  four  feet  wood,  with  a  dark  hole  against  the  chimney  to  put  bad 
boys  in." 

The  school-house  in  the  east  part  of  the  parish,  that  stood  in  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  grave-yard,  and  that  was  burned  in  1868,  is  sup- 
posed to  be  the  first  school-house  in  that  district. 

The  first  school-house  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  in  what  is  now 
Franklin  District,  stood  between  the  residence  of  Maj.  Daniel  Flint  and 
the  Whittredge  place. 

The  parish  was  divided  many  years  ago  into  four  regularly  organized 
school  districts,  and  in  1834  these  contained  polls  and  children  as 
follows:  — 

No.  i   (Centre),  64  polls  and  154  children  under  20  years  of  age. 
"     2  (West),    48      "       "       83         "  " 

"     3  (North),  42      "       "       74         "          "  "  " 

"     4  (East),     46      "       "       46 

N.  B.     Franklin  District  was  set  off  from  No.  i  in  1851. 

The  High  School  was  established  in  1868 ;  the  Methodist  meeting- 
house was  purchased  for  the  use  of  this  school,  and  Miss  M.  D.  Chap- 
man appointed  principal. 

The  people  of  North  Reading  are  worthy  of  much  commendation  for 
their  public  spirit  and  regard  for  education  in  thus  early  establishing 
this  advanced  school,  while  their  population  and  valuation  were  com- 
paratively moderate.  The  school  was  especially  fortunate  in  securing 
for  its  first  principal  a  faithful  and  accomplished  teacher,  and  the  estab- 
lisment  is  already  "  regarded  as  an  era  that  marked  a  true  '  revival  of 
learning  '  in  the  town." 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


27I 


The  town  of  North  ^Reading  was  set  off  from  the  town  of  Reading  in 
1853,  and  its  annual  appropriations  for  schools  have  since  been  as 
follows :  — 

700  each  year. 
850    "        " 
1,000    " 

1,100     "  " 

1,200     "          " 

* 

The  school  committee,  for  what  is  now  North  Reading,  from  1812 
to  the  time  of  its  incorporation  in  1853,  have  been  as  follows:  — 


1  853,  '4  and  '5. 
1856, 

1857, 
1858,  '59  and  '60, 
1861, 

900  each  year. 
1,000    "       " 
1,200    "       " 

I.OCO     "          " 

1,049    " 

1862  and  '3, 
1864,  '5  and  '6, 
1867, 
1868, 
1869, 

Daniel  Graves,  1812,  '13,  '14,  '15 

and  1 6. 

William  Eaton,  1812,  '18,  and  '26. 
Thomas  Sawyer,  1813  and  '14. 
Joseph  Batchelder,  1815. 
OKver  Swain,  1816. 
Thomas  Kayner,  1817. 
George  Flint,  1818. 
Adam  Flint,  1818. 
Jacob  Goodwin,  1819  and  '20. 
Aaron  Upton,  1819  and '20. 
Addison  Flint,  1819  and  '28. 
Oliver  Swain,  Jr.,  1820. 
Daniel  Flint,  1821,  '22,  '24  and  '36. 
Benj.  Holt,  1821,  '22  and  '25. 
Joshua  Putnam,  1821. 
James  Taylor,  1822. 
John  Hayward,  Jr.,  1822  and  '25. 
D.  A.  Grosvenor,   1823,  '24,   '26 

and  '33. 

David  Damon,  1823. 
Samuel  Eaton,  1823. 


Amos  Batchelder,  1824, 

Levi  Nichols,  1825. 

Asa  G.  Sheldon,  1825. 

John  Emerson,  Jr.,  1826. 

David  Batchelder,  1826. 

Cyrus  Teirce,  1827. 

Jacob  W.  Eastman,  1829  and  '30. 

Joseph  M.  Driver,  1829. 

Moses  Webster,  1831. 

George  Matthews,  1832. 

Grosvenor,  Jr..  1834  and  '41. 

James  D.  Lewis,  1835. 

John  U.  Stone,  1836. 

Wm.  Heath,  i  37,  '38,  '39  and  '40. 

Samuel  Bennett,  1842. 

J.  N.  Sykes,  1843. 

Eph'm  W.  Allen,  1844,  '45  and  '46. 

Thomas  B.  Eaton,  1847. 

F.  E.  Cleaves,  1848  and  '50. 

Samuel  Lamson,  1849. 

F.  F.  Root,  Esq.,  185!  and  '2. 

George  Guilford,  1852. 


The  school  committee  of  North  Reading,  since  its  incorporation  in 
1853,  have  been  as  follows:  — 


Earl  Guilford,  1853,  '57  and  '58. 
Asa  C.  Bronson,  1853,  '54. 
F.  F.  Root,  1853,  '55,  '63,  '64. 
T.  N.  Jones,   1854,  '55,  '60,  »6i, 

'67,  '68,  '69. 

Frederic  Abbott,  1854,  '60,  '61,  '62. 
H.  R.  Parmenter,  1855. 
Geo.  K.   Parker,   1856,  '57,   '58, 

'66,  '67,  '68,  '69. 
S.  P.  Breed,  1856,  '59. 
Eliab  Stone,  1856. 


James  L.  Eaton,  1856,  '59,  '61, 

'62,  '63,  '64,  '65,  '66, 
George  Allen,  1856. 
Joel  A.  Abbott,  1857. 
Geo.  H.  Flint,  1858. 
John  B.  Campbell,  1860. 
Geo.  F.  Flint,  1862,  '63. 
Wm.  K.  Davy,  1865,  '66,  '67. 
Elias  Chapman,  1868,  '69. 
David  G.  Eaton,  1864,  '65. 


2/2  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

A  private  academy  was  opened  in  North  Reading  about  1825, 
through  the  influence  and  liberality  of  Col.  Daniel  Flint,  in  a  building 
erected  for  the  purpose,  which  flourished  for  several  years.  Mr.  Gregg 
was  the  first  teacher,  succeeded  by  Mr.  Webster,  Mr.  Coffin,  and  John 
Batchelder,  Esq. 


Statistics  of  the  schools  in  the  three  towns,  in  1867-8  :  — 

WAKEFIELD. 

Thirteen  schools  and  fourteen  teachers.  Number  of  children  be- 
tween 5  and  15  in  1868,  702  ;  rank,  as  compared  with  other  towns, 
in  1867-8,  according  to  appropriations,  in  State,  54;  according  to  ap- 
propriations, in  County,  21;  according  to  valuation,  in  State,  85; 
according  to  valuation,  in  County,  18  ;  according  to  attendance,  in 
State,  208  ;  according  to  attendance  in  County,  42. 

READING. 

Fourteen  schools  and  fourteen  teachers.  Number  of  children  be- 
tween 5  and  15,  in  1867,  561  ;  rank  as  compared  with  other  towns,  in 
1867-8,  according  to  appropriations,  in  State,  68  ;  according  to  appro- 
priations, in  County,  26  ;  according  to  valuation,  in  State,  59  ;  accord- 
ing to  valuation,  in  County,  15  ;  according  to  attendance,  in  State,  66  ; 
according  to  attendance,  in  County,  15. 

NORTH  READING. 

Six  schools,  six  teachers.  Number  of  children  between  5  and  15,  in 
1868,  212  ;  rank  as  compared  with  other  towns,  in  1867-8,  according 
to  appropriations,  in  State,  256  ;  according  to  appropriations,  in  County, 
50;  according  to  valuation,  in  State,  291 ;  according  to  valuation,  in 
County,  45  ;  according  to  attendance,  in  State,  136 ;  according  to 
attendance,  in  County,  26. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


273 


CHAPTER    VI. 


MILITARY  AFFAIRS. 

THE  world  has  ever  loved  heroes  and  heroines  —  those  intrepid  and 
chivalrous  spirits,  who,  thoughtless  of  personal  consequences,  have  been 
earnest  and  zealous  to  face  labor,  suffering,  dangers,  and  even  death,  to 
assist  the  afflicted,  resist  oppression,  defend  innocence,  rescue  the  cap- 
tive, and  support  the  right. 

To  praise  and  honor  such  persons,  eloquence  has  employed  its  richest 
and  loftiest  expression ;  poetry  and  music  have  composed  and  chanted 
their  sweetest  songs.  Prominent  on  the  page  of  history  of  all  nations, 
in  all  ages,  is  the  record  of  the  triumphal  honors,  the  princely  gifts,  the 
smiles  of  beauty,  and  homage  and  worship  even,  that  have  been  paid  to 
the  brave  and  magnanimous. 

Especially  have  these  honors  been  bestowed  on  those  military  heroes 
and  victors,  who,  for  the  safety  and  defence  of  their  homes,  their  loved 
ones,  their  religion,  and  their  country's  liberties,  have  been  ready  to 
buckle  on  the  martial  armor,  to  train  themselves  in  warlike  arts,  and  to 
go  forth  to  deeds  of  noble  daring  and  splendid  achievement. 

In  the  early  settlement  of  New  England,  a  military  organization  was 
indispensable  for  protecting  the  first  inhabitants  from  Indian  and  other 
hostile  foes. 

In  successive  years,  resort  to  this  strong  national  arm  has  been  often 
had,  to  suppress  insurrections,  to  contend  against  foreign  aggression, 
and  to  conquer  rebellion. 

Let  us  not  neglect  to  pay  due  honor  to  our  own  ancestral  brave  and 

martial  heroes. 

Let's  find  the  fields,  where  our  »ld  sires 

Were  train'd  for  martial  glory, 
And  learn'd  to  face  the  hostile  fires,  — 

And  write  their  names  in  story ; 
Inspect  the  firelock,  pouch  and  horn, 

The  priming-wire  and  duster, 
The  two  spare  flints,  and  old  canteen, 

At  trainings  and  at  muster. 

The  first  military  corps  of  Reading  was  formed,  probably,  at  the  time 
of  the  town's  incorporation,  in   1644,  and  was  called  the  "Reading 
35 


274  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Infantry  Company."  Its  first  captain  was  Richard  Walker.  Capt. 
Walker  lived  on  the  farm  recently  owned  by  Maj.  Suel  Winn,  in  the 
westerly  part  of  what  is  now  Wakefield ;  had  the  reputation  of  being  a 
brave  and  talented  officer ;  was  in  many  conflicts  with  the  Indians,  and 
had  some  narrow  escapes ;  for  Johnson,  the  Woburn  historian,  says  of 
him,  that,  while  skirmishing  at  Saugus, — 

"  He  fought  the  Eastern  Indians  there, 
Whose  poisoned  arrows  fill'd  the  air, 
And  two  of  which  these  savage  foes 
Lodg'd  safe  in  Captain  Walker's  clothes.'1'' 

Capt.  Walker  afterwards  removed  to  Lynn.  The  second  captain  was 
Jonathan  Poole,  who  lived  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  Wakefield's 
Rattan  Works.  He,  too,  is  represented  as  a  brave  and  skilful  warrior, 
and  eminent,  also,  in  civil  life.  He  died  suddenly  in  middle  life. 

The  third  and  fourth  captains  were  John  Brown  and  Jeremiah  Swain. 
Capt.  Brown,  more  conspicuous  on  the  ancient  record  as  Esquire  Brown, 
seems  to  have  been  more  adapted  to  civil  than  military  life.  He  long 
occupied  a  high  and  honorable  position  among  his  fellow-townsmen. 
Capt.  Swain,  afterwards  Major  Swain,  had  a  high  military  reputation 
throughout  the  colony ;  he  was  a  physician,  and  was  a  useful  citizen, 
both  in  civil  and  professional  life. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  successive  commanders  of  this  ancient 
corps  ;  it  may  not  be  a  complete  list,  or  in  exact  chronological  order :  — 

Richard  Walker.  Thomas  Green. 

Jonathan  Poole.  David  Smith. 

John  Browne.  Amos  Boardman  (and  Colonel). 

Jeremiah  Swain  (and  Major).  Nathaniel  Cowdrey. 

Ephraim  Savage.  Thomas  Emerson. 

Hananiah  Parker  (Lieut  Commanding).      William  Johnson. 

Thomas  Bancroft.  James  Gould. 

Kendall  Parker.  .  Lowell  Fowler. 

Joseph  Fitch.  Archibald  Smith. 

Ebenezer  Bancroft.  John  Waitt. 

Joseph  Burnap.  Peter  B.  Wiley. 

Thomas  Nichols.  Joshua  Burnham. 

Thomas  Eaton.  William  Emerson. 

Samuel  Bancroft.  Jesse  Carter. 

David  Green  (and  Colonel).  Henry  Knight. 

Ebenezer  Nichols  (and  Colonel).  Ira  Wiley. 

John  Goodwin.  William  Patch. 

William  Bryant  (and  Colonel).  Henry  A.  Foote. 

Benj.  Brown  (Colonel  and  General).  Lowell  Sweetser. 

Nathan  Parker.  Asaph  Evans. 

John  Walton. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


275 


The  aforesaid  company  belonged  in  that  part  of  the  town  that  is  now 
Wakefield,  and  our  earliest  recollections  of  this  old  organization  refer  to 
the  times  when  it  was  commanded  by  Lowell  Fowler,  some  sixty  years 
ago,  and  by  his  immediate  successors.  Capt.  Fowler,  as  we  remember 
him,  was  a  tall,  good-looking,  and  energetic  officer;  and  his  successors, 
Archibald' Smith,  John  Waitt,  Peter  B.  Wiley,  and  Joshua  Burnham  (a 
remarkably  handsome  and  accomplished  officer),  were  all  noticeab'e 
as  being  full  of  military  spirit,  zealous  in  the  discharge  of  their 
duties,  and  greatly  beloved  by  the  company. 

The  old  training-days  of  the  company  were  grand  occasions,  espe^ 
cially  during  the  war  of  1812-15,  when  tne  °^  fire  of  the  Revolution 
seemed  to  be  rekindled.  To  be  sure  they  did  not  have  a  big  tent,  in 
which  to  invite  their  select  friends  to  take  a  genteel  repast,  but  they 
had  "  Hale's  Tavern  "  (a  noted  inn  in  those  days,  but  now  no  more) ; 
and  who,  among  the  boys  of  those  times,  does  not  remember  the  ten- 
quart  pails  of  grog  and  punch,  with  the  gingerbread,  crackers,  and 
cheese,  that  the  non-commissioned  officers,  each  with  a  pail  in  one 
hand  and  a  basket  in  the  other,  used  to  bring  out  from  Hale's  commis- 
sary stores  to  the  company  at  rest,  and  waiting  on  the  Common,  and 
when  all  were  invited,  soldiers  and  spectators,  men  and  boys,  to  help 
themselves  ? 

And  did  they  not  all  imbibe  the  martial  spirit  of  those  occasions,  and 
become  filled  with  courage  and  patriotism? 

Neither  had  they,  in  those  times,  a  German  band  and  French  horns 
to  animate  the  troops,  or  excite  the  admiration  of  the  multitude  ;  but 
thev  did  have  Majors  Caleb  Green  and  William  Gould  on  the  fife,  and 
Majors  Jeremiah  Green  and  Samuel  Poole  and  Aaron  (late  Dea.)  Bry- 
ant, on  the  small  drum,  and  Hartshorn  (Joseph)  on  the  bass-drum,  all 
eminent  in  their  respective  departments,  to  give  them  Yankee  Doodle, 
in  strains  "  that  made  the  welkin  ring."  Well,  this  veteran  company 
lived  on,  protecting  our  homes  and  our  institutions,  contributing  lib- 
erally of  its  numbers  to  the  public  service,  in  the  war  aforesaid,  and 
furnishing  honors  and  titles  to  many  heroic  men,  until  about  the  year 
1840,  when  this  hitherto  active  old  corps  became,  at  last,  a  lifeless 
corpse,  Capt.  Evans,  its  last  (but  not  least)  commander,  having  enjoyed 
the  honor  of  "  being  in  at  the  death,"  and  burying  it  with  the  honors  of 
war. 

Military  companies  were  also  organized  in  the  North  and  West 
Parishes,  probably  at  about  the  times  of  their  respective  parochial  incor- 
porations, viz.  at  the  North  Parish  in  1713,  and  in  the  West  in  1770. 
These  companies  long  flourished,  and  were  commanded,  in  successive 


276  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

years,  by  the  most  eminent  and  efficient  men  of  the  respective  parishes. 
They  existed  until  the  old  militia  system,  which  enrolled  and  trained 
every  able-bodied  white  male  inhabitant,  between  the  ages  of  eighteen 
and  forty-five,  by  common  consent  languished  and  died,  about  1840. 

The  following  are  lists  of  the  successive  captains  of  these  companies, 
so  far  as  we  have  learned  them  :  — . 

WEST  PARISH. 

James  Bancroft.  Daniel  Pratt. 

Jona.  Weston.  Caleb  Wakefield. 

Nathan  Parker,  and  Col.  Charles  Parker. 

Joseph  Bancroft.  George  Bancroft. 

Abijah  Weston.  Daniel  Damon,  Jr. 

Benjamin  Pratt.  Parker  Bancroft. 

Edmund  Parker.  Geo.  Batchelder. 

Jona.  Temple.  Parker. 

Timothy  Wakefield,  Jr. 

At  about  the  time  of  the  commencement  of  the  present  century,  a 
company  of  cavalry  or  light  horse  was  formed,  whose  members  belonged 
to  Woburn,  Reading,  and  vicinity. 

In  1658,  the  Court  gave  liberty  to  Lynn,  Reading,  and  Rumney 
Marsh  (now  Chelsea),  "to  raise  a  troop  of  horse,  and  choose  their 
officers."  We  know  nothing  further  of  this  troop.  The  cavalry  com- 
pany, formed  about  1800,  was  a  handsomely  uniformed  and  well-disci- 
plined squadron.  Of  its  captains  or  commanders,  who  were  residents 
of  Reading  and  Wakefield,  we  are  able  to  name  the  following :  — 

Aaron  Damon.  Thomas  Emerson,  Jr. 

Noah  Smith.  Jonas  Parker. 

James  Hartshorn  (and  Col.).  Elijah  Upton  (and  Maj  ). 

Lemuel  Sweetser  (and  Col.).  Suel  Winn  (and  Maj.). 

About  the  year  1812,  a  company  of  riflemen  was  organized  in  Stone- 
ham,  Reading,  and  vicinity,  called  the  "Washington  Rifle  Greens"; 
the  larger  part  of  the  members  of  which  belonged  at  first  in  Stoneham, 
but  included  a  considerable  number  from  South  Reading.  Its  first 
three  commissioned  officers  all  belonged  to  Stoneham.  Capt.  Jonathan 
Hay,  its  first  captain,  was  a  very  efficient  commander. 

This  company  was  called  into  the  United  States  service,  during  the 
war  of  1812,  and  was  stationed  on  Dorchester  Heights.  It  was  long 
the  "  crack  "  company  of  the  vicinity.  By  degrees,  in  the  admission  of 
new  members,  it  appeared  that  a  majority  of  its  members  were  living 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


277 


out  of  Stoneham,  principally  in  South  Reading  and  Woburn.  After 
the  formation  of  a  light  infantry  company,  in  Woburn,  the  rifle  company 
became  substantially  a  South  Reading  company.  It  changed  its  uni- 
form about  this  time  from  green  to  gray,  and  was  thereafter  known  as 
the  "  Washington  Rifle  Grays."  It  was  long  a  popular  organization, 
and  went  down  with  the  military  system  of  the  State. 
Its  captains,  belonging  to  South  Reading,  have  been:  — 

1.  Wm.  Deadman.  5.  Adam  Wiley. 

2.  Samuel  Wiley,  Jr.  6.  Samuel  Kingman. 

3.  James  Brown.  7.  John  Wiley  2d  (and  Major). 

4.  Tho.  Parker  (and  Col.).  8.  Daniel  S.  Oliver. 

The  following  is  a  Roll  of  the  Company  while  in  camp  at  South 
Boston  :  — 

Inspection  and  Muster  Poll  of  Capt.  Jonathan  Hay's  Company  of  Rifle- 
men, of  Maj.  Wm.  Ward's  Battalion  in  Gen.  Maltby's  Brigade  of  the 
detached  Corps,  under  Maj. -Gen' I  Whiton.  {Oct.  25,  1814.) 

JONATHAN  HAY,  Captain. 
JOHN  H.  WRIGHT,  Lieut 
WM.  RICHARDSON,  Ensign. 

Sergeants  :   Wm.  Deadman.  Privates  :  James  Emerson. 

•'  Benja.  Gerry,  Jr.  Joseph  Eaton. 

"  Samuel  Richardson.  Benja.  Flint 

"  Wm.  Bryant.  Samuel  Gerry. 

Corporals  :  Abraham  Marshall.  Amos  Howard. 

Ephraim  Peirce.  Pierpont  Hay. 

Samuel  Wiley.  Simon  Jones. 

Jesse  Converse.  Henry  Knight 

Musicians  :  Jedde  Brown.  Charles  Lewis. 

Wm.  Holden.  James  Leathe. 

Joseph  Mathews.  Asahel  Porter. 

Tho.  Parker.  Timothy  Pierce. 

Nath'l  Richardson.  Alpha  Richardson. 

Privates  :      James  Brown.  Jonas  M.  Rowe. 

Jeremiah  Converse.  Frederic  Slocomb. 

Samuel  Evans.  Samuel  Sweetser. 

NOTE.  —  This  Roll  was  copied  from  the  original  on  file  in  office  of  3d  Auditor  of 
U.  S.  Treasury,  by  J.  H.  Eaton,  Brevet  Col.  and  Paymaster,  U.  S.  A. 

RICHARDSON  LIGHT  GUARD. 

This  company  was  chartered  in  1851,  and  was  composed,  mainly,  of 
persons  residing  in  South  Reading,  now  Wakefield. 


2/8 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


It  elected  its  first  board  of  commissioned  officers,  Oct.  n,  1851,  as 
follows :  — 

Chose  John  Wiley,  zd,  for  Captain. 

"       Nathaniel  S.  Dearborn,  for  ist  Lieut. 
"       John  S.  Eaton,  for  2d  Lieut. 
"       Benja.  F.  Barnard,  for  3d  Lieut. 
"       Samuel  Kingman,  for  4th  Lieut. 

The  company  adopted  the  name  of  "  Richardson  Light  Guard,"  in 
honor  of  Doct.  Solon  O.  Richardson,  an  eminent  citizen  of  South 
Reading  (now  Wakefield),  who,  in  consenting  to  this  use  of  his  name, 
presented  the  company  with  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars,  and  was 
ever  its  constant,  earnest,  and  liberal  foster-father  and  friend. 

The  successive  captains  of  this  company  have  been  as  follows:  — 

John  Wiley,  2d,  elected  1851. 
James  F.  Emerson,  elected  1855. 
Geo.  O-  Carpenter,  elected  1856. 
John  Wiley,  zd,  elected  1857  (2d  time). 
James  F.  Emerson,  elected  1858  (2d  time). 
John  W.  Locke,  elected  1859. 
Geo.  O.  Carpenter,  elected  1860  (2d  time). 
John  W.  Locke,  elected  1861  (26.  time). 
H.  D.  Degen,  elected  1862  (March). 
S.  F.  Littlefield,  elected  1862  (Sept.). 
James  F.  Emerson,  elected  1868  (3d  time). 
John  M.  Gate,  present  commander. 

This  corps  has  ever  sustained  a  high  reputation  for  thorough  disci- 
pline, for  military  science,  for  able  officers,  for  beauty  of  appearance, 
and  for  martial  pride  and  ardor  ;  and  when  the  liberties  of  their  country 
were  endangered,  and  treason  was  seeking  the  overthrow  of  the  govern- 
ment and  of  the  Union,  the  patriotism  and  bravery  of  its  members 
were  equal  to  the  emergency.  Thrice,  as  a  company,  has  it  rushed  to 
the  post  of  danger,  while  many  of  its  members  have  entered  the 
regular  service,  and  there  fought,  suffered,  and  (some  of  them)  died' 
for  their  country. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  company,  Jan.  18,  1861,  it  was  announced  that 
the  Governor  desired  to  know  how  many  of  the  company  would  be 
ready  to  respond,  if  suddenly  called  into  the  service  of  their  country ; 
whereupon  every  member  present  manifested  his  readiness  to  march  to 
the  field  of  battle. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


279 


Feb.  12,  1861,  another  order  from  the  commander-in-chief  announced 
that  the  condition  of  national  affairs  rendered  it  possible  that  the 
company  might  be  required,  at  no  distant  day  and  at  short  notice,  for 
the  defence  of  the  national  capital ;  and  urging  upon  the  members  to 
be  in  perfect  readiness  for  such  requirement. 

April  19,  1861,  at  about  12  o'clock,  noon,  orders  arrived  for  the 
company  to  leave  forthwith  for  the  seat  of  war.  And  immediately, 
amid  the  ringing  of  bells  and  firing  of  guns,  the  members  of  the  com- 
pany began  to  rally ;  and  at  three  o'clock,  p.  M.,  marched  forth  from 
their  armory,  under  Capt.  John  W.  Locke,  numbering  eighty-seven 
men,  rank  and  file.  They  repaired  to  the  Common,  where  a  collation 
had  been  provided  for  them  by  the  citizens  of  the  town.  They  thence 
proceeded  to  the  railroad  station,  where  a  large  crowd  had  assembled 
to  witness  their  departure. 

Speeches  were  here  made  by  Messrs.  E.  Mansfield,  L.  Eaton,  P.  C. 
Wheeler,  Rev.  E.  A.  Eaton,  and  others.  Fathers  and  mothers,  brothers 
and  sisters,  lovers  and  friends,  here  bid  adieu  to  the  company. 

At  half-past  five  o'clock,  p.  M.,  the  company  left  town.  Arriving  in 
Boston  they  were  quartered  in  Faneuil  Hall,  with  two  other  companies 
of  the  regiment,  about  900  men  in  all.  On  the  2oth,  they  received 
their  blankets,  overcoats,  and  other  necessary  articles ;  and  at  five 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  2ist,  took  the  cars  for  New  York  ;  thence  went 
to  Annapolis  by  water,  and  inarched  on  the  railroad  thirty  miles  to 
Washington,  where  they  arrived  on  the  25th,  the  second  regiment 
there. 

The  following  is  the  Roll  of  the  Company,  in  this  expedition :  — 

Captain,    JOHN  W.  LOCKE,  South  Reading, 
ist  Lieut.  HENRY  D.  DEGEN,        " 
2d      "      CHAS.  H.  SHEPARD,     " 
3d      "      JAMES  D.  DRAPER,        " 
4th     "      GEORGE  ABBOTT,          " 


Sergeants  : 
Geo.  W.  Townsend, 
Jason  H.  Knights, 

Corporals : 
Wm.  E.  Ransom, 
James  M.  Sweetser, 
Musicians : 
Alvin  Drake, 

Privates : 
Abbot,  G.  G., 
Adams,  Oliver  S., 


South  Reading.  Benj.  F.  Barnard,  South  Reading. 

"  Geo.  W.  Aborn,  " 

South  Reading.  Geo.  H.  Green,  South  Reading. 

"  James  A.  Burditt,  " 

South  Reading.  Wm.  Vaux,  South  Reading. 

Reading.  Morrill,  James  M.,  South  Reading. 

"  Moses,  George,  " 


280 


GEAEAI  OGK.AL    HISTORY 


Anderson,  Chas.  E., 
Anderson,  J.  H., 
Batchelder,  Geo.  W., 
Barker,  S.  S., 
Beckwith,  Rob't  S., 
Bixby,  Hiram, 
Burditt,  Geo.  A., 
Coney,  John  S., 
Cook,  Jona.  J., 
Dix,  Joseph  O., 
Eaton,  A., 
Eustis,  Henry  W., 
Eustis,  Joseph  S. 
Fairbanks,  James  M., 
Fletcher,  Chas.  N., 
Foster,  Davis, 
Greggs,  James  H., 
Harrington,  Chas., 
Hart.  John  F., 
Hartwell,  Albert  A., 
Hayden,  Frank  W., 
Hayden,  Wm.  H.,  Jr., 
Hayward,  Alex'r  N., 
Hosmer,  O.  S., 
1  loyt,  Henry  D., 
Kidder,  Geo.  H.,  Jr., 
Lord,  Byron, 
Lord,  Geo.  H., 
M'Gee,  Edward, 
McKay,  Gurden, 
McKay,  Thomas  M., 
McKenzie,  John, 


South  Reading. 

Nichols,  Geo.  W., 

Reading. 

« 

Parker,  J.  Q.  A., 

South  Reading. 

Melrose. 

Parker,  N.  D., 

Reading. 

Andover. 

Parker,  Wm.  D  , 

South  Reading. 

South  Reading. 

Parsons,  Benj.  W., 

« 

« 

Peterson,  Leonard, 

Reading. 

M 

Pratt,  Edwin, 

South  Reading. 

North  Reading. 

Rahn,  Christian  E., 

Reading. 

M 

Rayner,  Ozias, 

South  Reading. 

South  Reading. 

Rayner,  John, 

" 

Reading. 

Robinson,  Charles  H., 

Reading. 

South  Reading. 

Roundy,  John  D., 

a 

" 

Sherman,  Wm.  H., 

" 

« 

Smith,  Thos., 

Melrose. 

Reading. 

Stephens,  John  R., 

South  Reading. 

South  Reading, 

Sweetser,  Oliver  S., 

North  Reading. 

Reading. 

Sweetser,  Thos. 

South  Reading. 

South  Reading. 

Thompson,  Chas., 

« 

" 

Thompson,  John  F., 

" 

Reading. 

Tibbetts,  Chas.  H., 

Reading. 

South  Reading. 

Tibbetts,  Frank  L., 

" 

« 

Twiss,  Adoniram  J., 

South  Reading. 

« 

Tyler,  Wm.  N., 

" 

Woburn. 

Walker,  Wm.  H., 

« 

South  Reading. 

Ward  well,  Henry  F., 

Reading. 

« 

Warren,  Horace  M., 

South  Reading. 

ii 

Weston,  Robert  H., 

Reading. 

(i 

Wiley,  Joseph  E., 

South  Reading. 

« 

Wiley,  Wm., 

« 

M 

Wilkins,  Edw'd  L., 

M 

« 

Wyman,  Wm., 

« 

Boston. 


The  company  performed  valuable  service  in  protecting  the  Federal 
capital,  was  engaged  in  the  first  Bull  Run  battle,  in  which  some  of  its 
members  were  wounded  and  three  were  taken  prisoners,  and  at  the 
expiration  of  its  term  of  enlistment  (3  months)  returned  home. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  company  at  South  Reading,  July  30,  1861,  a 
public  reception  was  given  them.  (For  a  further  account  of  such 
reception,  see  Chapter  XIV,  on  Rebellion.) 


Ol-    THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  28l 


CHAPTER    VII. 


TOWN  OFFICERS,  REPRESENTATIVES,  SENATORS,  JUS- 
TICES OF  THE  PEACE,  AND  CIVIL  OFFICERS  OF 
READING,  SOUTH  READING,  AND  NORTH  READING. 

SELECTMEN  OF  READING. 

Robert  Dunton,  1647,  1649. 

Francis  Smith,  1647,  1649. 

William  Cowdrey,  1647  to  J68o  (except  1659  and  '61). 

Thomas  Marshall,  1647-'$  2  and  '54. 

Henry  Felch,  1647,  '48  and  '51. 

William  Martin,  1647,  '48  and  '51. 

Richard  Walker,  1647-50  and  '53. 

Zachariah  Fitch,  1649, '51  and  '61. 

Thomas  Kendall,  1649,  '55.  '57,  '59,  '60,  '62,  '66,  '68-'72,  '74,  '75,  '77 

'78. 

Jonas  Eaton,  1650,  '62,  '70  and  '73. 
John  Smith,  1650-52,  '54-56,  '57,  '58-60  and '64. 
John  Batchelder,  1651,  '54,  '56,  '58,  '61  and  '64. 
Peter  Palfrey,  1652,  '53  and  '57. 
John  Person,  1652. 

Robert  Burnap,  1654-56,  '58-60,  '62-69,  '70,  '71  and  '72. 
Nicholas  Brown,  1655,  '56  and  '61. 
George  Davis,  1655,  '56,  '58-'6o. 
William  Laukin,  1656,  '56. 
Thomas  Clark,  1659. 
Thomas  Parker,  1661,  '65-^7  and  69. 
Thomas  Hartshorn,  1661  and  '67. 
Jonathan  Poole,  i662-'64,  '68-'74,  '76  and  '77. 
Nathaniel  Cowdrey,  1663,  '65,  '66,  '7!,  '73,  '82  and  '85. 
Shubael  Walker,  1667  and  '68. 

Robert  Burnap,  Jr.,  1670-^2,  '74.  '75,  '77,  '78,  '81,  '93  and  '94. 
John  Damon,  1672,  '75,  '81  and  '86. 
36 


2g2  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Jeremiah  Swaine,  1673,  '77-80,  '83,  '84,  '97  and  1701. 

John  Browne,  Jr.,  1674-76, '80,  '84~'87,  '90,  '93,  '95,  '96,  '98,  '99,  1700, 

i7O2-'o6. 
John  Batchelder,   1676,  '78,  'Si-'Sa,  '85-^7,  '90,  '92-^6,   '98,    1700, 

and  '02. 

Matthew  Edwards,  1676  and  '79. 
Hananlah  Parker,  1679,  '80,  '84,  '88,  '89  and  '97. 
Nathaniel  Goodwin,  1679,  '8i-'84,  '86,-'92; 
Benjamin  Fitch,  1686,  '82,  '84,  '87~'9i,  '94,  '95,  '99  and  1701. 
Sergeant  Felch,  1681. 
John  Parker,  1682  and  '90. 
William  Hescey,  1683,  '86  and  '87. 
John  Herbert,  1683,  '98,  '99,  1700,  '01,  '02,  'o4-'i2. 
William  Hooper,  1685. 
Thomas  Bancroft,   1685,  '88,  '89,  '91,  '92, '94, '97, 1700, '04, '06, '08, 

'16,  '19,  '21,  '23  and  '29. 
Jonathan  Batchelder,  1689. 
Thomas  Nichols,  1691,  '92,  '96-^9,  1700,  '02,  'o5~'o7,  'o9-'i2,  '17, 

'20,  and  '22. 

Timothy  Wiley,  1693,  '96,  '98,  1702,  '05  and  '07. 
John  Dunton,  1693. 
Joseph  Fitch,  Jr.,  1694. 
Joseph  Brown,  1694  and  1703. 
Joshua  Eaton,  1694  and  1708. 
John  Nichols,  1695  and  i7°3- 
Nathaniel  Parker,  1695,  '97,  1705,  '14  and  '27. 
Abraham  Bryant,  1696  and  1701. 
Joseph  Burnap,  1699,  1707,  '09-12,  '15,  '20  and  '25. 
Jonathan  Poole,  1701,  '08,  '14  and  '15. 
Benjamin  Swain,  1704,  '12,  '15,  '16  and  '18. 
Thomas  Boutwell,  1704  and  '13. 
George  Flint,  1706,  '08,  '28,  '33,  '43  and  '44. 
John  Weston,  1707,  '09-'!  i. 
John  Harnden,  J7og  and  '10. 
Thomas  Taylor,  1711. 
Nathaniel  Cutler,  1712. 
Francis  Smith,  i7i3~'2O  and  '22. 

John  Goodwin,  1713,  '14,  '16,  '19,  '2i-'24,  '26,  '33  and  '40. 
John  Browne,  1713,  '17  and  '18. 
Benjamin  Harnden,  1713  and  '19. 
Thomas  Burnap,  1714. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  283 


John  Pratt,  1715. 

Peter  Emerson,  1716,  '24-4$. 

Thomas  Poole,  1717,  '20,  '22  and  '24. 

Kendall  Parker,  1717,  '20,  '23,  '31,  '37,  '42  and  '45. 

Ebenezer  Parker,  1718,  '24,  '25  and  '32. 

Samuel  Browne,  1718. 

William  Bryant,  1719,  '2i-*23  and  '37. 

Ezekiel  Upton,  1720  and  '30. 

Joseph  Upton,  1721. 

Thomas  Bryant,  1722. 

John  Eaton,  1723. 

Stephen  Weston,  1724,  '27  and  '36. 

Thomas  Eaton,  1725,  '32,  '41  and  '44. 

Ebenezer  Flint,  1725. 

Raham  Bancroft,  1726,  '33,  '43  and  '49. 

Jonathan  Parker,  1726  and  '36. 

Benjamin  Poole,  1727  and  '28. 

William  Flint,  1727  and  '52. 

Nathaniel  Parker,  Jr.,  1728. 

Thomas  Nichols,  2d,  1728,  '31,  '38  and  '43. 

John  Batchelder,  1729,  '30  and  '49. 

Joseph  Eaton,  1729. 

Francis  Nurse,  1729. 

Samuel  Bancroft,  1730,  '38,  40,  '47  and  '53. 

Timothy  Goodwin,  1730,  '32  and  '36. 

Samuel  Lamson,  1731. 

Ebenezer  Damon,  1731. 

Thomas  Hutchinson,  1732. 

James  Nichols,  Jr.,  1733. 

Richard  Temple,  1734  and  '35. 

David  Green,  1734. 

Nathaniel  Batchelder,  1734. 

Ebenezer  Walcott,  1734. 

Isaac  Smith,  1735. 

Ebenezer  Emerson,  1735. 

Ebenezer  Flint,  1735,  '3^  and  '42. 

John  Swain,  1736,  '43,  '51  and  '54. 

Samuel  Foster,  1737. 

Jonathan  Flint,  1737. 

Joseph  Damon,  1738  and  '48.    * 

Samuel  Poole,  1740. 


284 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


Edward  Hurcum,  1740,  '42,  '59  and  '63. 

Benjamin  Brown,  1741,  '44  and  '46. 

James  Nichols,  1741. 

Samuel  Eves,  1741. 

Edward  Bancroft,  1742. 

Ebenezer  Nichols,  1742,  '46,  '61,  '62,  '64  and  '66. 

William  Hay,  1744. 

Thomas  Hartshorn,  1745. 

John  Parker,  1745. 

Brown  Emerson,  1746,  '65~'68  and  '69. 

Edward  Pratt,  1 746. 

Thomas  Flint,  1746  and  '54. 

Benjamin  Smith,  1747. 

Jonathan  Nichols,  1747. 

William  Sawyer,  1747,  '55,  '56,  '61,  '65,  '69,  '70  and  '78. 

Thomas  Lambert,  1748. 

John  Boutwell,  1748. 

Samuel  Hartshorn,  1748.' 

Benjamin  Weston,  1749. 

Ebenezer  Upton,  1749,  '72  and  '74, 

Benjamin  Swain,  1750. 

Phineas  Parker,  1750  and  '56. 

Timothy  Pratt,  1750. 

Samuel  Dix,  1750. 

Jonathan  Temple,  1751. 

Daniel  Nichols,  1751,  '55,  '57~'59- 

David  Damon,  1751  and  '61. 

John  Temple,  1752,  '54,  '65,  '66,  '68,  '72  and  '78. 

John  Goodwin,  Jr.,  1752,  '55,  '56,  '59,  '60,  '62-'64. 

John  Goodwin,  3d,  1752. 

Jonathan  Eaton,  1753,  '55,  '56,  '60,  '62. 

John  Walton,  1753. 

Jacob  Sawyer,  1753  and  '66. 

David  Green,  Jr.,  1754,  '60  and  '65. 

Samuel  Bancroft,  Jr.,  i757~'6o,  '62,  '63  and  '66. 

John  Smith,  1757  and  '58. 

Joseph  Frye,  1757  and  '58. 

Daniel  Putnam,  1763,  '68  and  '71. 

Amos  Upton,  1764,  '66  and  '68. 

Benjamin  Flint,  1764,  '72,  '76,  '87  and*88. 

Nathan  Parker,  1765,  '66,  '68-'7o. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  285 

Amos  Flint,  1765. 

John  Walton,  Jr.,  1766. 

Thomas  Symonds,  1769  and  '75. 

John  Flint,  1770. 

George  Flint,  1770. 

Nathaniel  Batchelder,  1770. 

David  Green,  1771. 

William  Green,  1771. 

Samuel  Herrick,  1771. 

Jabez  Damon,  1771  and  '75. 

Benjamin  Brown,  1772-76,  '78,  '79,'  Si-'Sj,  '88,  '91  and  '92. 

Thomas  Damon,  1772. 

Jonathan  Poole,  1773. 

Hezekiah  Upton,  1773. 

Jacob  Townsend,  1773  an^  *4- 

Joseph  Parker,  1773  and  '78. 

Jonathan  Flint,  1774  and  '85. 

Jonas  Parker,  1774  and  '76. 

James  Bancroft,  1776,  '88,  '93  and  '94. 

Ebenezer  Hopkins,  1776. 

Timothy  Pratt,  Jr.,  1776  and  '77. 

Jacob  Emerson,  1777. 

John  Dix,  1777  a°d  '79. 

Timothy  Russell,  1777. 

Benjamin  Foster,  1777. 

Benjamin  Upton,  1778,  '79,  '81,  '86,  '9O-'92. 

John  Emerson,  1779,  '8o  and  '86. 

Peter  Emerson,  1779  and  '80. 

Isaac  Upton,  1779. 

Joseph  Bancroft,  1779,  '84,  '85,  '88,  '92  and  '95. 

Elijah  Upton,  1780. 

Samuel  Pratt,  1780. 

William  Flint,  1780. 

Abraham  Foster,  i78i-'83,  'S^-'gi. 

Thomas  Eaton,  Jr.,  1782,  '83  and  '89. 

Nathaniel  Wiley,  i784-'8S. 

John  Weston,  Jr.,  1784. 

Paul  Sweetser,  1784. 

Henry  Putnam,  1784  and  '85. 

Nathan  Parker,  1785,  '97~'99,  1800,  '03. 

Wm.  Temple,  1786. 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


Ephraim  Pratt,  1786. 

Ebenezer  Upton,  1787  and  '88. 

Daniel  Green,  1787. 

John  Hart,  1788. 

David  Smith,  1789,  '90,  '93-96. 

Daniel  Flint,  I793~'95,  i8o5-'o9,  '12,  'i5~'i8  and  '24. 

George  Flint,  1796. 

Thos.  Symonds,  1796. 

James  Gould,  1797-1804,  'o6-'io. 

Daniel  Graves,  1797-1803. 

Edmund  Damon,  1804,  'io-'i6. 

John  Weston,  i8o4-'o8. 

Hay  Nichols,  1806. 

Edmund  Parker,  i8o9-'i3,  'i6-'2o. 

Noah  Smith,  1811. 

Timothy  Wakefield,  1813  and  \i4. 

Benja.  Pratt,  1814  and  '15. 

Ebenezer  Emerson,  1817,  '19,  '21,  '23  and  '24. 

Joshua  Putnam,  i8i8-'2o,  '22,  '23,  '25  and  '29. 

George  Flint,  1820,  '21  and  '26. 

Timothy  Wakefield,  Jr.,  i8zi-'23,  '34  and  '35. 

Aaron  Upton,  1822. 

Thaddeus  B.  Pratt,  1824-^6,  '30,  '36  and  '38. 

Addison  Flint,  1825. 

Daniel  Pratt,  i826-'28. 

Ebenezer  D.  Batchelder,  1827,  '29,  '30,  '33,  '35-'3S,  '41  and  '45, 

Eliab  Parker,  Jr.,  1827,  '33  and  '34. 

Asa  G.  Sheldon,  1828. 

Charles  Parker,  1828  and  '29. 

Thomas  Sweetser,  i83o-'32. 

John  Batchelder,  3d,  1831  and  '32. 

Amos  Batchelder,  1831. 

Jonas  Parker,  1832  and  '33. 

Aaron  Parker,  Jr.,  1834. 

Daniel  Flint,  1835,  '41  and  '42. 

Caleb  Wakefield,  i836-'4o. 

David  Upton,  1837. 

Charles  F.  Flint,  1839  and  '40. 

Benj.  Holt,  Jr.,  1839. 

Charles  Newman,  1840. 

John  Batchelder,  i84i-'43,  '46^48,  '57  and  '59. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  287 

Joseph  Pierce,  1842. 

Samuel  J.  Batchelder,  1843. 

John  Nichols,  1843,  '44. 

Abraham  Temple,  1844  and  '45. 

Ebenezer  T.  Abbott,  1844. 

Daniel  Flint,  Jr.,  1845,  '46,  '47,  '48*  and  '49. 

Joseph  Bancroft,  1846. 

Francis  Upton,  1847. 

J.  B.  Leathe,  1848,  '49,  '59~'62  and  '66. 

James  S.  Campbell,  1849,  '50,  '52,  '59-^5 . 

Nathan  P.  Pratt,  iSso-'sa,  '57  and  '58,  '72,  '73. 

Joseph  H.  Gleason,  1850. 

Joseph  Eames,  1851. 

Isaac  Flint,  1851. 

Gardner  French,  i852-'54. 

John  Burrill,  1853  and  '54. 

Porter  Pinkham,  1854  and  '55. 

Stillman  E.  Parker,  1855. 

Mark  M.  Temple,  1855. 

Thomas  E.  Prescott,  1856  and  '58. 

Wm.  J.  Wightman,  1856,  '67  to  1874. 

Wm.  Badger,  1856. 

Charles  Tweed,  1857  and  '58,  '70,  '71,  '72. 

Milo  Parker,  1860  and  '61. 

Solon  A.  Parker,  1862,  '67  and  '68. 

Joseph  L.  Pratt,  i863-'65. 

James  T.  Norris,  1866. 

David  G.  Richardson,  1867  and  '68« 

Benj.  M.  Hartshorn,  1867,  and  died  the  same  year. 

Samuel  Pierce,  1869,  '70. 

Jerome  Parker,  1869,  '70. 

James  A.  Bancroft,  1870,  '71. 

SELECTMEN  OF  SOUTH  READING  (NOW  WAKEFIELD). 

James  Gould,  1812. 
Benja.  Badger,  1812,  '14. 
John  Gould,  i8i2-'2o. 
Noah  Smith,  1813,  '35 ,-'37. 
David  Smith,  i8i4~'i8. 
Wm.  Nichols, 


288  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Benja.  Badger,  Jr.,  1819. 

Thomas  Evans,  1820  and  '21. 

Thomas  Emerson,  Jr.,  i820-'24. 

Jacob  Eaton,  i82i-'24, 

Thomas  Swain,  i822-?29. 

John  Rayner,  Jr.,  i825~'27. 

James  Walton,  1825  and  '26. 

Lilley  Eaton,  1827  to  1849  and  '51  to  '54. 

Joseph  Atwell,  1828-31. 

Suel  Winn,  1830-31  and  '38. 

Wm.  Gould,  1832. 

John  White,  Jr.,  1832,  '33,  '43  to  '46. 

Benja.  B.  Wiley,  i833-'35. 

John  Abbott,  1834. 

Benja.  Emerson,  i836-'38. 

Aaron  Foster,  Jr.,  1839,  '42,  J47-'5°- 

James  Eustis,  1839  and  '40. 

James  Hartshorn,  1840  and  '41. 

James  Emerson,  1841. 

Abraham  Emerson,  1842. 

Joseph  W.  Atwell,  1843-46. 

Jonas  Cowdry,  i847~'49. 

P.  H.  Sweetser,  1850. 

Sam'l  Kingman,  1850. 

Peter  Wiley,  1851  and '52. 

Samuel  Gould,  1851. 

Wm.  L.  Brown,  1852. 

Edward  H.  Walton,  1853  and  '54. 

Nathan  P.  Colburn,  1853  to  '55. 

James  Oliver,  1855-57,  '67,  '68,  '69  and  '73. 

D.  B.  Wheelock,  iSss-'sy,  '62-'65. 

John  Purington,  1856,  '57,  '60  and  '61. 

P.  C.  Wheeler,  1858,  '59  and  '66. 

John  S.  Eaton,  1858,  '59,  '63,  '66,  '67  and  '72. 

John  Winship,  1858  and  '59. 

Thomas  Green,  1860  and  '61. 

Edward  Mansfield,  1860,  '61  and  '65. 

Henry  Oliver,  1862. 

Thomas  B.  Walker,  1862,  '64-'66. 

Horatio  Dolliver,  1863  and  '64. 

James  F.  Mansfield,  1867,  '68  and  '69. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  289 

Richard  Britton,  1868,  '69,  '72  and  '73. 
D.  G.  Walton,  1873. 

TOWN  CLERKS  OF  READING. 

Wm.  Cowdrey,  1644  to  '87. 

Nathaniel  Cowdrey,  1687  and  '88. 

Hananiah  Parker,  1689,  '90  and  '98. 

Nathaniel  Goodwin,  1691  to  '93. 

John  Batchelder,  1694  to  '97. 

John  Herbert,  1699  to  1713. 

Francis  Smith,  1714  to  1721. 

John  Goodwin,  1722  to  1725. 

Peter  Emerson,  1726  to  1746. 

Brown  Emerson,  1747  to  1770. 

John  Temple,  1771  to  1774. 

Benjamin  Brown,  1775  to  1777. 

Jacob  Emerson,  1778  to  '90. 

Jonathan  Poole,  1791  to  '99. 

Timothy  Wakefield,  1800  to  1816. 

Edmund  Parker,  1817  to  1830. 

Daniel  Pratt,  Jr.,  1831  to  1852. 

Wm.  J.  Wightman,  1853  to  1856,  1862  to  1874. 

Horace  P.  Wakefield,  1857  and  '58. 

Jonathan  Baldwin,  1859  to  1862,  and  died  Oct.  15,  1862. 

TOWN  CLERKS  OF  SOUTH  READING  (now  Wakefield). 
John  Gould,  1812-23. 
John  Rayner,  Jr.,  1824-28. 
Lilley  Eaton,  1829-49. 
Edward  Mansfield,  1850-54. 
Henry  L.  Eaton,  1855-58. 
James  O.  Boswell,  1859  and  '60. 
Charles  H.  Shepard,  1861. 

Jacob  C.  Hartshorn,  1862-64.     (Resigned  in  1864.) 
Chester  W.  Eaton,  1864-67. 
Benj.  F.  Packard,  1868  and  '69. 
C.  F.  Hartshorne,  1872,  '73. 

READING  REPRESENTATIVES. 
Richard  Walker,  1650. 
William  Cowdrey,  1651,  '53,  '58  and  '61. 
Jonathan  Poole,  1677. 
37 


2go  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

John  Brown,  1679,  '80,  '82,  '83,  '93,  '96,  1700,  'OI>  >J9>  '20- 

Hananiah  Parker,  1683,  '84,  '95,  '97-99*  I7°3- 

Jeremiah  Swain,  1686,  '87,  '94,  I7°2>  '04-06. 

Benjamin  Fitch,  1687,  '91-93- 

Nathaniel  Goodwin,  1690,  92. 

Timothy  Wiley,  1707-09,  '12-15  and  18. 

Thomas  Nichols,  1710  and  'n. 

Joshua  Eaton,  1716  and  '17. 

William  Bryant,  1721-24. 

Thomas  Bancroft,  1725-27,  '30  and  '31. 

Kendall  Parker,  1728,  '29,  '32,  '33  and '37. 

Ebenezer  Parker,  1734-36,  '38  and  '39. 

Samuel  Bancroft,  1740-44,  '69  and  '74. 

Thomas  Eaton,  1745  to  '51. 

Ebenezer  Nichols,  i752-54,  'S7>  '58>  '62-67. 

John  Temple,  1755,  '56,  '59,  '61-66,  '68  and  '75. 

Daniel  Putnam,  1773. 

John  Batchelder,  1776. 

Joseph  Parker,  1776. 

Benjamin  Flint,  1776  and  '77. 

Benjamin  Brown,  1778  and  '09. 

James  Bancroft,  1780-85,  '88,  '93,  '94,  '99,  1800-03. 

Benjamin  Upton,  1786,  '90-92. 

William  Flint,  1787,  '89. 

Henry  Putnam,  1795—08. 

Daniel  Graves,  1804-06. 

Hay  Nichols,  1805. 

Timothy  Wakefield,  1807-15. 

Daniel  Flint,  1808-19  and  '21. 

Adam  Hawkes,  1811. 

Edmund  Parker,  1816,  '18-20,  '23,  '25  and  '28. 

Timothy  Wakefield,  Jr.,  1822,  35. 

George  Flint,  1823,  '39  and  '40. 

Joshua  Putnam,  1826  and  "27. 

Joshua  Prescott,  1826  and  '27. 

Addison  Flint,  1828  and  '44. 

Eliab  Parker,  Jr.,  1829-31,  '34  and  '35. 

Warren  Perkins,  1829-32,  '38  and  '39. 

John  Batchelder,. 3d,  1832  and  '33. 

Caleb  Wakefield,  1833-36. 

Daniel  Flint,  Jr.,  1836  and  '37. 

Thomas  Sweetser,  1836. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 

John  Weston,  1837. 
Ebenezer  D.  Batchelder,  1837. 
Samuel  W.  Carter,  1840  and  '41. 
John  Batchelder,  3d,  1842. 
Daniel  Pratt,  1845  and  '47. 
James  S.  Campbell,  1851. 
George  Batchelder,  1853. 
Nathan  P.  Pratt,  1855  and  '68. 
Thomas  N.  Jones,  1856. 
Amos  Cummings,  Jr.,  1857. 
Samuel  P.  Breed,  1858. 
Stillman  E.  Parker,  1859. 
Edward  M.  Horton,  1860. 
Frederic  Abbott,  1861. 
Charles  Manning,  1862. 
J.  B.  Leathe,  1863. 
Charles  A.  Foster,  1864. 
William  W.  Davis,  1865. 
William  Proctor,  1866. 
Samuel  Pierce,  1870. 

SOUTH  READING  REPRESENTATIVES. 
John  Hart,  1812-14,  '20,  '21,  '23,  '24. 
John  Gould,  1816. 

Thomas  Emerson,  Jr.,  1825-30,  '38,  '39  and  '41. 
Lilley  Eaton,  1831-35,  '45  and  '48. 
Lemuel  Sweetser,  1832  and  '33. 
James  Butler,  1835  and  '36. 
Noah  Smith,  1836  and  '37. 
Benjamin  Emerson,  1837. 
Jonas  Evans,  1839. 
Aaron  Foster,  Jr.,  1840. 
Joseph  W.  Vinton,  1840. 
Jacob  Tufts,  1843. 
Jonas  Cowdrey,  1844. 
Robert  H.  Raddin,  1846. 
Franklin  Poole,  1847. 
Samuel  Kingman,  1850. 
Edward  Mansfield,  1851. 
John  B.  Atwell,  1852. 
James  M.  Sweetser,  1855. 
James  Oliver,  1856. 


291 


292 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Madison  Sweetser,  1857. 

John  Sullivan  Eaton,  1858. 

John  Wiley,  2d,  1860. 

William  H.  Atwell,  1862. 

Daniel  Allen,  1864  and  '65. 

James  F.  Mansfield,  1867  and  '68. 

Benjamin  F.  Packard,  1870. 

E.  H.  Walton,  1871. 

Richard  Britton,  1872  and  '73. 

NORTH  READING  REPRESENTATIVES. 

Joseph  Eames,  1854. 
Thomas  N.  Jones,  1855. 
Samuel  P.  Breed,  1857  and  '69. 
Frederic  Abbott,  1860. 
Charles  A.  Foster,  1863. 

SENATORS. 

John  Hart,  of  South  Reading,  1815-19. 

Lilley  Eaton,  of  South  Reading,  1838,  '39. 

Edmund  Parker,  of  Reading,  1841. 

Thomas  Emerson,  of  South  Reading,  1846  and  '47. 

Horace  P.  Wakefield,  of  Reading. 

James  Oliver,  of  South  Reading,  1868. 

Carroll  D.  Wright,  of  Reading,  1872,  '73. 

\, 

COUNCILLORS. 

Edmund  Parker,  of  Reading,  1840. 

Thaddeus  Spaulding,  of  South  Reading,  1842  and  '44. 

DELEGATES  TO  CONSTITUTIONAL  CONVENTIONS. 

1780,  Benjamin  Flint. 

1820,  William  Nichols,  of  South  Reading. 

Daniel  Flint,  of  Reading,  N.  P. 

Timothy  Wakefield,  of  Reading,  W.  Pi 
1853,  Lilley  Eaton,  of  South  Reading. 

Tristram  Littlefield,  of  Reading. 

DELEGATES  TO  FIRST  PROVINCIAL  CONGRESS. 

1774,  John  Temple, 
Benjamin  Brown. 

1775,  John  Temple. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


293 


LIST  OF  CIVIL  OFFICERS  IN  THE  TOWNS  OF  READING,  SOUTH  READING, 
AND  NORTH  HEADING. 


NAME. 

OFFICE. 

TOWN. 

Date  of  Commis- 
sion when  sworn. 

Eliab  Parker,  Jr., 

J.P. 

Reading, 

Feb.      17,  1844. 

John  Weston, 

P.  &Q. 

i< 

May       9,  1844, 

Noah  Smith, 

J.P. 

South  Reading, 

June     20,  1844. 

Jonathan  Prescott, 

.P. 

Reading, 

Sept      9,  1844. 

Caleb  Wakefield, 

.P. 

South  Reading, 

March  22,  1845. 

Edwin  Foster, 

.  P. 

Reading, 

Jan.      21,     '47. 

Alfred  A.  Prescott, 

.  P. 

'« 

Jan.      22,     '47. 

Chauncy  P  Judd, 

.  P. 

<i 

April      6,     '47. 

Abial  Holden. 

'  .  P. 

a 

March  22,     '48. 

Charles  F.  Flint, 

''.  P. 

a 

March    3,      '48. 

Lilley  Katon, 

'  .  P. 

South  Reading, 

April     14,     '48. 

Thaddeus  B.  Pratt, 

'.  P. 

Reading, 

March  29,      '49. 

Horace  P.  Wakefield, 

:.p- 

July        3,     '49- 

William  H.  Willis, 

J.P- 

South  Reading,    Jan.       IO,     '50. 

Daniel  Flint, 

f.  P.                 Reading,          Feb.      12,     '51. 

Orlando  B.  Potter, 

J.  1*.           South  Reading, 

Oct       10,     '50. 

Alfred  A.  Prescott, 

Trial  Justice. 

Reading, 

Nov.     19,     '50. 

Lilley  Eaton, 

Trial  Justice. 

South  Reading, 

Nov.     12,     '52. 

Edward  Mansfield, 

J.P- 

M 

Feb.      12,     '51. 

Abel  F.  Hutchinson, 

J.P. 

ii 

Feb.      1  8,     '51. 

Daniel  Norcross, 

Coroner. 

II 

May     26,     '52. 

Thomas  Sweetser, 

.  P. 

Reading, 

March  15,     '51. 

William  L.  Brown, 

.  P. 

South  Reading, 

March  27,     '51. 

Caleb  Wakefield, 

\P. 

Reading, 

May      19,     '51. 

Joshua  Prescott, 

.  P. 

ii 

Sept.      2,     '51. 

Paul  H.  Sweetser, 

.  P. 

South  Reading, 

Jan.      21,     '52. 

John  Batchelder, 

''.  P. 

Reading, 

March  16,     '52. 

James  S.  Campbell, 

.  P. 

ii 

May      ii,     '52. 

John  B.  Atwell, 

•  P. 

South  Reading, 

Dec.     —  ,     '52. 

Alfred  A.  Prescott, 

Reg.  Probate. 

Reading, 

March  14,     '53. 

Benjamin  F.  Tweed, 

J.P. 

South  Reading, 

April    23,     '53. 

Nathan  P.  Pratt, 

J.  P. 

Reading, 

May     21,     '53. 

Frederick  F.  Root, 

J.  P. 

North  Reading, 

June     30,     '53. 

John  F.  Hammond, 

J.  P. 

H 

Oct        5.     '53- 

Hiram  P.  Wright, 

J.P. 

Reading, 

April      I,     '54. 

William  L.  Brown, 

Notary. 

South  Reading, 

June       I,     '54- 

Benjamin  B.  Wiley, 

i.  P. 

" 

Feb.      3.     '55- 

Nathan  P.  Colburn, 

,  P. 

n 

Feb.     25,     '55. 

Still  man  E.  Parker, 

,  P. 

Reading, 

April    25,     '55. 

William  Emory, 

.P. 

ii 

June     25,     '55. 

William  J.  Wightman, 

,  P. 

« 

July      16,     '55. 

Henry  L.  Eaton, 

P. 

South  Reading, 

Feb.        7,     '56. 

William  H.  Willis, 

P.  &Q. 

ii 

May      19,     '58. 

Joel  A.  Abbott, 

J.  P. 

North  Reading, 

March  18,     \7. 

Thomas  Richardson, 

J.  P. 

Reading, 

March  27,     '57. 

Stephen  Foster, 

J.  P. 

" 

July      29,     '57. 

James  Oliver, 

J.  P. 

South  Reading, 

July      3°.     '57- 

Edward  A.  Upton, 

J.P.  • 

ii 

Jan.      18,     '57. 

Abel  F.  Hutchinson,  Commis-  ) 

sioner  to  admit  to  Industrial  ? 

J.P. 

ii 

Nov.     24,     '57- 

school  for  girls,                          ) 

Edward  A.  Upton, 

Trial  Justice. 

South  Reading, 

Sept.     14,     '58. 

James  O.  Boswell, 

J.P. 

ii 

June     22,     '58. 

294 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


LIST  OF  CIVIL  OFFICERS,  continued. 


NAME. 

OFFICE. 

TOWN. 

Date  of  Commis- 
sion when  sworn. 

Joshua  Prescott, 

J.P. 

Reading, 

July      20,      '58- 

Jonathan  Baldwin, 

J.P. 

« 

Dec.      16,     '58- 

Lucius  Beebe, 

J-  P. 

South  Reading, 

April      6,      '59* 

James  O.  Boswell, 

Notary. 

« 

Aug.        r,      '59* 

Horatio  N.  Gate, 

J.P. 

Reading, 

June     27,      '59- 

James  O.  Boswell, 

Coroner. 

South  Reading, 

June       2,  1860' 

Adam  Wiley, 

J.P. 

" 

Feb.        3,      '60- 

David  Dana, 

J.P. 

Reading, 

Sept.      5,     '60' 

William  S.  Peabody, 

J.P. 

" 

Aug.     22,     '60- 

James  O.  Boswell, 

P.  &Q. 

South  Reading, 

Nov.     19,     '60- 

James  M.  Sweetser. 

J.P. 

" 

April      5,     '6r 

Charles  P.  Howard, 

J.P. 

North  Reading, 

Feb.      24,     '64' 

Thomas  Richardson, 

J.P. 

Reading, 

March  25,      '64* 

Horace  P.  Wakefield, 

P.  &Q. 

M 

March  29,      '64* 

Samuel  G.  B.  Coombs, 

J.P. 

South  Reading, 

May      10,      '64' 

Chester  W.  Eaton, 

Notary. 

" 

May      28,     '64' 

Daniel  Pratt, 

J.P. 

Reading, 

Aug.     II,      '64- 

E.  A.  Upton, 

Trial  Justice. 

South  Reading, 

Nov.     1  8,      '64- 

Thomas  Sweetser, 

J.P. 

Reading. 

Feb.      17,      '65- 

Caleb  Wakefield, 

J.P. 

" 

March  21,     '65* 

Samuel  P.  Breed, 

J.P. 

North  Reading, 

April    21,      '65- 

Benj.  M.  Hartshorn, 

Trial  Justice. 

Reading, 

Dec.      18,     '65- 

Philip  C.  Wheeler, 

J.P. 

South  Reading, 

April      3,     '66- 

James  S.  Campbell, 

J.P- 

Reading, 

May       8,      '66. 

Geo.  W.  Cutler, 

J.P. 

South  Reading, 

May      10,     '66. 

Solon  Bancroft, 

J.P. 

Reading, 

May      23,      '66. 

Adam  Wiley, 

J.P. 

South  Reading, 

Jan.      31,      '67. 

Henry  D.  Austin, 

J.P. 

« 

March  30,     '67. 

Horace  P.  Wakefield, 

Coroner. 

Reading, 

April    10,      '67. 

Hiram  Barrus, 

J-  P. 

" 

Jan.      12,      '67. 

Daniel  P.  Emerson, 

J.  P. 

South  Reading, 

May     28,     '67. 

William  J.  Mansfield, 

J.P. 

" 

May     28,     "67. 

J.  O.  Boswell, 

P.  &Q. 

« 

Nov.     20,      '67. 

James  M.  Sweetser, 

J.P. 

« 

June       8,     '68. 

Horace  P.  Wakefield, 

A.H.Mons'n, 
Supt.  State. 

Reading, 

March  23,     '68. 

W.  L.  Brown, 

Notary. 

South  Reading, 

July      14,      '68. 

Sam'l  P.  Breed, 

Trial  Justice. 

North  Reading, 

July      14,     '68. 

Cyrus  Wakefield, 

J.  P. 

Wakefield, 

Sept     17,     '68. 

Byron  A.  Osgood, 

Notary. 

« 

Dec.      12,     '68. 

Daniel  G.  Walton, 

J.P. 

M 

March    5,      '69. 

Lilley  Eaton, 

P.  &Q. 

« 

April    12,     '69. 

Samuel  Flint, 

J.P. 

North  Reading, 

April    29,     '69. 

Stephen  G.  Nash,                        \ 

The  counties' 
J.  P.  A.  W. 

Wakefield, 

April    29,      '69. 

Benjamin  Eames, 

J.P. 

North  Reading, 

June     16,      '69. 

Edward  Appleton, 

R.  R.  Com'r. 

Reading, 

July      24,     '69. 

Samuel  Kingman, 

J.P. 

Wakefield, 

Oct.      21,      '69. 

John  Brooks  Leathe, 

•J.P. 

Reading, 

Oct.      20,     '69. 

Elam  Porter, 

J-  P. 

South  Reading, 

Feb.       3,  1864. 

Thomas  Richardson, 

J.P. 

Reading, 

March  19,      '64. 

Sam'l  G.  B.  Coombs 

J.P. 

South  Reading, 

April    II,      '64. 

Chester  W.  Eaton,                       j 

J.P. 

Notary. 

« 

May      23,      '64. 
May     23,      '64. 

OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 
LIST  OF  CIVIL  OFFICERS,  continued. 


295 


NAME. 

OFFICE. 

TOWN. 

Date  of  Commis- 
sion as  qualified. 

Daniel  Pratt, 

J.  P. 

South  Reading. 

Aug.     n,      '64. 

Benj.  M.  Hartshorn, 

Trial  Justice. 

Reading, 

Dec.     13,      '65. 

Solon  Bancroft, 

J.  P. 

" 

May      17,      '66. 

Horace  P.  Wakefield, 

Coroner. 

« 

April    19,     '67. 

Hiram  Barrus, 

J.  P. 

« 

May     22,     '67. 

Daniel  P.  Emerson, 

J.  P. 

« 

May     28,      '67. 

William  J.  Mansfield, 

J.P. 

South  Reading, 

May     28,     '67. 

Charles  A.  Harnden, 

J.P. 

« 

Sept.     16,     '67. 

James  M.  Sweetser, 

J.P. 

South  Reading, 

March  17,     '68. 

Horace  P.  Wakefield, 

Supt.  State 
Almshouse, 

Reading, 

March  23,     '68. 

H.  P.  Guilford, 

Notary. 

Reading, 

April    14,     '68. 

Carroll  D.  Wright, 

J.P. 

«< 

May        2,     '68. 

Ensign  Tasker, 

J.P. 

South  Reading, 

July      ii,     '68. 

Cyrus  Wakefield, 
Byron  A.  Osgood, 

J.P. 
J.P. 

Notary. 

Wakefield, 

«   I 

Aug.     14,     '68. 
Dec.     12,     '68. 

296 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


DESCRIPTIVE  LIST  OF  THE  INHABITANTS  AND  DWELL- 
ING-HOUSES IN  THE  THIRD  PARISH,  NOW  READING, 
AT  ABOUT  THE  TIME  OF  ITS  INCORPORATION  AS  A 
PARISH,  1769. 

CAPT.  SAMUEL  BANCROFT  lived  on  what  is  now  Fremont  Street,  on 
the  Abraham  Temple  and  Capt.  Jona.  Temple  place,  now  occupied  by 
D.  K.  Batchelder.  He  was  son  of  Dea.  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Poole) 
Bancroft,  b.  1693.  (See  First  Settlers.) 

DEA.  SAMUEL  BANCROFT  lived  in  the  house  now  occupied  by  Clifford 
P.  Weston,  on  what  is  now  West  Street,  near  Woburn  line,  formerly 
known  as  "  Ephraim  Weston's  old  house."  Dea.  Samuel  was  the  son 
of  Capt.  Samuel.  (See  Early  Settlers.)  This  house  stands  on  what 
was  a  part  of  Capt.  Ebenezer  Merrow's  farm  in  1742.  Merrow's  house 
stood  in  the  field,  about  seventy  rods  west  of  the  corner  of  Woburn  and 
West  Streets  ;  he  was  a  blacksmith,  and  his  shop  was  near  his  house  ; 
his  wife's  name  was  Sarah.  He  sold  his  farm  in  1742,  and  removed  to 
Medford,  where  he  died  in  1768.  He  purchased  his  farm  of  his  father, 
Daniel,  who  received  it  of  his  father,  Henry  Merrow.  (See  Early 
Settlers.)  The  old  house  was  taken  down  soon  after  1642,  and  the 
present  one  built. 

Dea.  Bancroft  owned  this  place  in  1765,  and  settled  his  son  Caleb 
on  it.  Caleb  removed  out  of  town,  and  the  place  was  sold  to  Timothy 
Bryant,  and  by  him  sold  to  Ephraim  Weston.  Ephraim  Weston  was 
son  of  Jonathan  and  Ruth  (Flint)  Weston.  (See  hereafter.)  Weston 
lived  in  the  house  until  about  1800,  when  he  built  the  house  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  now  owned  by  his  son  Aaron,  where 
he  lived  until  he  died  in  1851,  aged  83.  He  married  in  1789, 
Molly,  dau.  of  John  and  Mary  Weston ;  she  died  in  1843,  aged  76. 
Their  children  were:  Ephraim,  b.  1790;  m.  1813,  Dolly  Nichols,  and 
d.  1862  j  Mary,  ^1792  ;  m.  1812,  James  Leathe,  of  Woburn,  and  d. 
1871  ;  Charles,  b.  1798  ;  m.  1824,  Sarah  Damon,  of  North  Reading; 
Aaron,  b.  1800;  m.  1826,  Mary  Parker,  of  North  Reading;  Eliza,  b. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


297 


1803  ;  m.  Oliver  Emerson;  Cynthia,  b.  1808;  m.  1832,  Henry  Pendex 
ter, andd.  1834;  Luther,  b.  1805  ;  m.  1830,  Roxanna Goodwin;  Justus, 
b.  1812;  lost,  1840,  on  Steamer  "Lexington";  Asahel,  b.  1794;  m. 
Ann  Alden,  was  a  merchant  in  Baltimore,  and  d.  at  Reading  1835. 

Clifford  P.  Weston,  son  of  Aaron  aforesaid,  now  owns  the  old  place. 

Ephraim,  aforesaid,  who  d.  in  1851,  was  one  of  the  first  shoe  manu- 
facturers in  what  is  now  Reading ;  kept  a  store  at  the  corner  of  West 
and  Woburn  Streets,  for  many  years.  He  was  succeeded  in  the  store 
by  J.  B.  Leathe,  his  grandson,  in  1833,  who  continued  it  until  1864. 
The  store  is  now  converted  into  a  dwelling-house,  and  is  owned  and 
occupied  by  George  A.  Richardson,  a  great-grandson  of  Ephraim  afore- 
said. 

JAMES  BANCROFT,  Esquire,  lived  on  the  place  where  now  resides 
Francis  J.  Bancroft,  his  great-grandson.  James  Bancroft  was  the  son 
of  Dea.  Raham  Bancroft.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

The  old  house  that  he  occupied  in  1765  he  took  down  in  1789  or 
'90,  and  then  erected  the  present  one.  He  succeeded  his  father,  Dea. 
Raham  Bancroft,  on  this  place.  His  children  were :  Sally,  b.  1759; 
m.  1780,  Asa  Hill,  who  built  the  old  house  since  owned  by  D.  P.  Brown, 
and  removed  to  Gardner.  Ruth,  b.  1761  ;  m.  1782,  Tho.  Emerson, 
father  of  Hon.  Tho.  Emerson;  Abigail,  b.  1765  ;  m.  Dea.  John  Bout- 
well,  of  Townsend  ;  Judith,  b.  1768  ;  m.  1790,  Lt.  Edmund  Eaton,  who 
d.  in  1796,  and  m.  1807,  second  husband,  Joseph  Boutwell;  Hannah, 
b.  1771 ;  m.  1794,  Farewell  Brown,  and  d.  1851 ;  Nancy,  b.  1778  ;  m. 
1799,  Jepthah  Brown,  and  d.  1806;  James,  b.  1763  ;  followed  the  sea 
and  d.  single. 

LIEUT.  JOSEPH  BANCROFT  lived  on  the  place  on  West  Street,  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  his  grandson,  Capt.  George  Bancroft.  Lieut 
Joseph  was  the  son  of  Ensign  Thomas  and  Lydia  (Dean)  Bancroft,  was 
born  1735,  married  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Lieut.  John  and  Rebecca  (Par- 
ker) Temple,  and  died  1825.  His  wife  died  in  1815.  It  is  supposed 
that  the  first  owner  of  this  place  was  Thomas  Bancroft,  son  of  Thomas 
and  Sarah  (Poole)  Bancroft,  b.  1673,  and  d.  1731.  He  was  father  of 
Ensign  Thomas  aforesaid.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

The  children  of  Lieut.  Joseph  were  :  Elizabeth,  b.  1756  ;  Rebecca,  b. 
1758;  Susanna,  b.  1760;  m.  1778,  Timothy  Wakefield ;  Joseph,  b. 
1762;  settled  on  the  Emory  Bancroft  place;  Timothy,  b.  1764;  m. 
1789,  Lydia,  dau.  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  Parker;  Thomas,  b.  1766,  and 
settled  in  Lynnfield  ;  Nehemiah,  b.  1768,  and  settled  on  Capt.  Abraham 
Foster's  place;  Jonathan,  b.  1774,  and  settled  in  Wilmington  ;  Hannah, 

b.  1771 ;   m.  James  Weston ;  Anna,  b. ;  m.  1807,  Loea  Parker. 

38 


298 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


The  children  of  Timothy  andLydia,  who  succeeded  Lieut.  Joseph  on 
this  place  were:  George  (Capt),  who  m.  1819,  Mary,  dau.  of  Asahel 
.and  Betsey  Porter,  and  now  owns  the  place;  Parker,  who  m.,  ist, 
Zerviah  Carey,  and  2d,  Sarah  P.  Brown  ;  John  H.,  who  m.  1840,  Cla- 
rinda,  dau.  of  Capt.  Jona.  Temple ;  Bradley,  who  m.  Lydia  P.,  dau.  of 
Capt.  Jona.  Temple;  Sophia,  who  m.  1812,  Jedde  Brown;  Hannah^ 
who  m.  1814,  Charles  Lewis;  Abner,  who  m.  Buttrick. 

WILLIAM  BANCROFT  lived  in  the  old  house  on  West  Street,  now 
owned  by  Thomas  Sweetser. 

William  was  the  son  of  Capt.  Samuel,  and  was  b.  1717  (see  Early 
Settlers) ;  m.  1742,  Elizabeth  Damon;  had  a  son  William  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary War ;  removed  to  Conway. 

Bancroft  was  succeeded  on  this  place  by  Ephraim  Parker,  called 
"  Master  Ephraim,"  who  was  son  of  Ephraim  and  Ruth  (Bancroft)  Par- 
ker, b.  1751;  m.  Sophia  Richardson,  of  Woburn  ;  had  no  children. 
Parker  was  succeeded  by  John  Damon,  son  of  John  and  Hepzibeth 
(Smith)  Damon,  who  now  lives  on  Pleasant  Street.  Damon  sold  the 
place  to  Isaac  Roby,  from  North  Reading,  who  lived  on  the  place  sev- 
eral years,  and  sold  it  to  Thomas  Sweetser,  Esq.,  the  present  owner. 

CAPT.  ABRAHAM  FOSTER  lived  on  the  late  Nehemiah  Bancroft  place 
on  Grove  Street,  now  occupied  by  N.  E.  Hill.  The  first  house  on  this 
place  was  built  on  the  Plain,  and  removed  up  to  the  road. 

Capt.  Abraham  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Roberts)  Foster, 
b.  about  1702.  (See  First  Settlers.) 

After  Capt.  Foster's  death,  the  place  was  purchased  by  Nehemiah 
Bancroft.  Nehemiah  was  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Temple) 
Bancroft  (see  ante)  ;  was  born  1768 ;  m.  1791,  Susanna  Beard,  and  d. 
1863,  aged  95.  Present  owner,  Nathaniel  E.  Hill. 

WID.  ABIGAIL  MERROW  lived  on  the  late  Emory  Bancroft  place,  on 
Lowell  Street,  near  the  village.  Abigail  Merrow  was  the  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Deborah  Parker,  b.  1683;  m.  1710,10  Henry  Merrow, 
son  of  John  and  Deliverance,  and  grandson  of  Henry  and  Jane,  early 
settlers,  whose  house  stood  seventy  or  eighty  rods  west  of  the  corner  of 
West  and  Woburn  Streets.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

Thomas  Richardson  succeeded  the  Merrows  ;  his  wife's  name  was 
Abigail ;  his  children  were:  Molly,  b.  1743  ;  Hepsy,  b.  1745  ;  Abigail, 
b.  1746;  Bulah,  b.  1751 ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1754;  m.  1777,  Sarah, dau.  of 
Jona.  and  Ruth  Parker.  Abigail  and  Molly  aforesaid  died  of  small- 
pox. The  Richardsons  were  succeeded  by  Joshua  Bancroft,  of  Wil- 
mington, who  m.  1760  or  '62,  Hannah  Pierson,  and  had  no  children. 

Joshua  Bancroft  was  succeeded  by  Capt.  Joseph  Bancroft,  son  of 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


299 


Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Temple)  Bancroft.  (See  ante.)  He  m.  1784, 
Abigail  Upton,  of  North  Reading.  He  died  in  1832,  aged  70.  His 
children  were:  Abigail,  who  m.  Miles  Johnson  ;  Rebecca,  who  m.  1810, 
Aaron  Parker;  Susanna,  b.  1788;  m.  Jonathan  Parker;  Betsey,  b. 
1793;  m.  1815,  Rufus  Damon;  Lucetta,  b.  1798;  m.  1839,  Rufus 
Damon;  Emory,  b.  1804;  m.  1832,  Harriet,  dau.  of  John  and  Sally 
(Herrick),  and  d.  in  1864  ;  Emily,  b.  1804;  m.  1827,  George  Porter; 
Joseph,  b.  1801 ;  m.  1833,  Betsey  Wakefield,  and  m.  1846,  Mahala 
Foss,  and  d.  1868. 

Emory  succeeded  to  the  house  and  a  part  of  the  farm  of  his  father, 
and  his  brother  Joseph  succeeded  to  the  other  part  of  the  farm,  and  his 
house  stood  near  the  old  house. 

The  children  of  Emory :  Emory,  Solon  (counsellor  at  law),  who  m.  El- 
len M.  Temple,  dau.  of  Abraham  ;  Frederic  and  Alvin.  The  children  of 
Joseph,  who  was  an  excellent  land  surveyor,  were  John  M.,  also  a  land 
surveyor  and  engineer,  who  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Samuel  L.  Hay ;  Sarah 
J.,  Lewis  H.,  and  Mary  E. 

JOHN  BOUTWELL  lived  on  the  place  on  Salem  Street  now  owned 
and  occupied  by  Dana  Parker,  son  of  Amos  and  Betsey  (Taylor)  Par- 
ker. (See  Early  Settlers.) 

John  Boutwell  was  the  son  of  John  Boutwell  (see  Early  Settlers),  and 
m.  1722,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Parker. 

ISAAC  BURNAP  lived  on  the  place  on  Ash  Street  now  owned  by  S. 
S.  Crouch,  and  formerly  known  as  the  Capt.  Jonathan  Weston  place. 

Isaac  Burnap,  son  of  Joseph  and  Tabitha  (see  Early  Settlers),  was 
born  1713;  m.  1736,  Susanna  Emerson.  Their  children  were :.  Su- 
sanna, b.  1736;  Martha,  b.  1737,  and  m.  Richard  Melenda;  Bethiah, 

b. ,  and  m.  1860,  John  Nichols  ;  Tabitha,  b.  1741 ;  Sarah,  b.  1750  ; 

Elizabeth,  b.  1745  ;  m.  1765,  Andrew  Beard,  and  removed  to  Gardner; 
Rebecca,  b.  1745  ;  m.  1763,  David  Nichols,  and  removed  to  Gardner; 
Joseph,  b.  1747  ;  m.  1768,  Abigail  Bickford  ;  was  captain  ;  left  his  wife 
and  went  to  New  York;  Jacob,  b.  1748  ;  m.,  ist,  Ruth  Hopkins  (was 
Rev.  Dr.  Burnap,  of  Merrimack,  N.  H.) ;  Abigail,  b.  1752;  m.  1771, 
Tho.  Taylor,  of  North  Parish. 

Wid.  Mary  Merrow  lived  on  High  Street,  on  the  place  now  owned 
by  Mrs.  Benjamin  Hartshorn.  She  was  the  dau.  of  William  and  Tabi- 
tha Cowdrey.  She  m.  1737,  Edward  Merrow.  (See  Early  Settlers,) 
Jonathan  Foster,  whose  wife  was  a  dau.  of  John  Merrow,  bought  the 
place  of  the  Merrows,  and  at  his  death  it  was  sold  to  Simon  Nichols. 

Simon  Nichols  was  the  son  of  John  and  Joanna  (Nichols)  Nichols,  b. 
1745,  and  d.  1828.  His  wife  was  Mary  Parker;  she  d.  1846,  aged  98. 


300 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Their  children  were  :  Mary,  who  ra.  James  Boutwell ;  Hannah,  b.  1773  ; 
m.  1795,  Richard  Temple,  and  d.  1826;  Simon,  b.  1774;  m.  1797, 
Rebecca  Nick,  and  d.  in  North  Reading;  Nancy,  b.  1776  ;  m.  1799, 
Jacob  Cheney;  Amos,  b.  1778  ;  m.  1801,  Molly  Pratt;  Lucy,  b.  1780  ; 
m.  1802,  David  Flint;  Betsey,  b.  1781 ;  m.  1801,  Daniel  Pratt ;  Oliver, 
b.  1787,  and.  d.  young,  greatly  lamented;  Lucinda,  b.  1783;  Timothy, 
b.  1791 ;  Abigail,  b.  1785. 

This  Burnap  place  was  sold  to  Capt.  Jonathan  Weston,  son  of  Jona. 
and  Ruth  (Flint)  Weston  (see  after);  was  b.  1757;  m.  1779,  Lucy, 
dau.  of  Jona.  and  Mary  Parker ;  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Revo- 
lution, and  d.  1839.  Children  :  William,  b.  1780,  was  father  of  Sumner 
Weston,  of  Reading ;  Jonathan  (Esquire)  went  to  Eastport,  Me. ;  Re- 
becca, m.  1810,  Edmund  Parker,  Esq.,  of  Reading.  George  Winn 
succeeded  Capt.  Weston  on  the  place,  and  died  there. 

ANDREW  BEARD  lived  in  1865  in  a  house  that  stood  on  the  hill,  a  few 
rods  southwest  of  where  Silas  G.  Emerson  now  lives,  and  which  fell 
down  soon  after.  The  first  occupants  of  this  house  were  two  Harts- 
horns, who  kept  tavern  therein.1 

Andrew  Beard  married,  in  1740,  Elizabeth  Nichols,  and  in  1765,  m. 
Elizabeth  Burnap.  His  children  were  :  William,  b.  1745  ;  Cleaveland, 
b.  1748,  and  lived  on  John  Burrill  place.  Joseph,  b.  1748,  and  m. 
Susanna  Hartshorn,  of  Lunenburg,  in  1773  ;  Phebe,  b.  1752  ;  Dorcas, 
b.  1753  ;  Hepzibeth,  b.  1755  ;  Abigail,  b.  1757  ;  Molly,  b.  1763  ;  Eliz- 
abeth, b.  1768  ;  Andrew,  b.  1772.  William  aforesaid,  who  was  b.  1745, 
succeeded  to  the  place  ;  was  a  farrier ;  m.  1767,  Sarah  Nichols,  and  2d; 
Dorcas, before  1788.  The  children  of  William  were:  Sally,  Fanny, 
William,  Edmund,  by  first  wife ;  and  by  second  wife,  Langdon,  b.  1788  ; 
Polly,  b.  1790;  Betsey. 

NATHANIEL  BATCHELDER  lived  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  Mrs. 
Herrick  Batchelder,  on  Franklin  Street,  near  Pearl  Street,  formerly 
owned  by  the  late  John  Batchelder,  Sen. 

Seargt.  John  Batchelder,  who  died  in  1676,  among  other  children 
had  Nathaniel,  b.  1675.  (See  Early  Settlers.)  He  built  a  house  on 
the  Herrick  Batchelder  place  for  his  son  Nathaniel,  who  was  born  in 
1714,  and  who  m.  1751,  Abigail  (Nichols)  Flint,  of  North  Reading. 
The  children  of  Nathaniel  and  Abigail  were:  Abigail,  b.  1756;  Na- 
thaniel, b.  1759  ;  m.  Patty  Gerry,  and  settled  on  the  place  now  owned 
by  his  son  Nathaniel. 

John,  b.  1762  (see  below)  ;  Simeon,  b.  1762,  and  went  to  North 
Reading.  John  succeeded  to  the  homestead  ;  m.  1790,  Sally  Herrick, 
and  d.  1832. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


3OI 


JOHN     BATCH  ELDER. 

DAVID  BATCHELDER  lived  on  the  place  recently  owned  by  his  grand- 
son, Nathaniel  Batchelder,  on  corner  of  Pearl  and  Franklia  Streets. 

David  was  the  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Hannah  (Ellsley)  Batchelder, 
b.  1716.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

This  place  is  supposed  to  be  the  more  ancient  homestead  of  the 
Batchelders  in  this  part  of  the  town,  and  was  first  occupied  by  the 
father  or  grandfather  of  said  David,  who  removed  hither  from  what  is 
now  the  corner  of  Main  and  Cordis  Streets,  in  Wakefield.  David  suc- 
ceeded to  this  homestead  of  his  father ;  lived  here  with  his  sister,  both 
of  whom  died  single. 

Nathaniel,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Abigail,  succeeded  his  uncle  David 
on  this  place  ;  m.  Patty  Gerry,  of  Stoneham  ;  tore  down  the  old  house 
and  built  the  present  one  soon  after  his  marriage.  Chil.  of  Nathaniel 
and  Patty  were  :  Abigail,  b. ;  m.  1801,  Obed  Symonds;  Nathan- 
iel, b.  1786  ;  m.  1811,  Polly,  dau.  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Damon) 
Symonds,  and  still  lives,  with  his  wife,  on  this  place ;  David,  a  son  of 
Nathaniel,  last  named,  now  lives  in  Wakefield. 

SAMUEL  DAMON  lived  on  the  late  John  Damon  place,  on  John  Street, 
in  the  house  now  owned  by  John  Norwood. 

Samuel  Damon,  b.  1726,  was  son  of  John,  who  built  the  house  afore- 
said, and  Rebecca,  and  grandson  of  Samuel,  b.  1656,  who  was  killed 
by  falling  from  his  horse  in  returning  from  church.  (See  Early  Set- 
tlers.) Samuel,  first  above  named,  m.  1754,  Abigail  Smith.  Children 
of  Samuel  and  Abigail  were:  Samuel,  b.  1756,  and  m.  1779,  Abigail 


302 


GENEALOGICAL  HiSTOR\ 


Sweetser,  and  removed  to  Lancaster ;  Benjamin,  b.  1760;  Daniel,  b. 
1757,  and  m.  1782,  Anna  Emerson  (see  after);  Abigail,  b.  1763,  and 
m.  Eben  Wakefield,  and  removed  to  Amherst,  N  H. ;  Rebecca,  b, 
1768,  and  m.  Maverick  Smith  and  removed  to  Amherst,  N.  H. ;  John, 
b.  1766,  and  m.  1790,  Hepzibeth  Smith,  and  succeeded  to  the  home- 
stead. The  house  on  this  place  is  famous  for  having  been  the  resi- 
dence, in  1774,  of  his  late  Excellency,  Dr.  John  Brooks,  formerly  Gov- 
ernor of  Massachusetts. 

JOSEPH  DAMON  lived  on  the  place  now  owned  by  Rufus  W.  Damon, 
on  South  Street,  near  Woburn  line. 

Joseph  Damon,  b.  1686,  was  son  of  Thomas  and  Lucy  Ann  (Emer- 
son) Damon;  m.  1707,  Mary Batchelder.  (See  Early  Settlers.)  Joseph 
and  Mary  had  a  son  Jabez,  b.  1722,  who  m.  Lucy  Wyman,  of  Woburn. 
The  children  of  Jabez  and  Lucy  were:  Joseph,  b.  1759  (see  below); 
Jabez,  Aaron,  Jerusha.  Joseph,  last  above  named,  succeeded  his  father 
on  this  place,  and  m.  1782,  Patience  Richardson  ;  was  a  soldier  of  the 
Revolution  and  died  in  1843.  His  son  Rufus  succeeded  to  this  place, 
and  m.,  ist,  Betsey  Bancroft,  and  2d,  Lucetta  Bancroft,  sisters,  who 
were  daus.  of  Joseph  and  Abigail  (Upton)  Bancroft,  and  d.  in  1870, 
aged  82.  His  son  Rufus  is  the  presentjowner  of  the  place. 

LT.  JONATHAN  EATON  lived  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  Widow 
B.  F.  Newhall,  on  Ash  Street,  near  Wakefield  line ;  recently  owned  by 
Chas.  Tweed,  and  before  that,  by  Jonas  Parker. 

Jonathan  Eaton,  b.  1714,  son  of  Thomas  and  Lydia  Eaton  (see 
Early  Settlers)  ;  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Damon.  She  died 
in  1786,  at  the  age  of  76,  and  he  m.  Anna  Hayes,  of  Stoneham.  The 
children  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  were  :  Jonathan,  Lydia,  and  Edmund. 
Edmund,  b.  1742,  succeeded  his  father  on  the  place  and  m.  1766, 
Sarah  Brown.  Edmund,  2d,  son  of  Edmund  and  Sarah,  b.  1767,  m. 
1790,  Judith,  dau.  of  James  Bancroft,  Esq.,  and  was  killed  by  the  fall- 
ing of  a  bridge  in  Charlestown. 

Edmund,  son  of  Edmund  and  Judith,  is  now  living  in  Reading. 
Edmund,  the  first,  sold  the  place  to  Jonas  Parker,  and  removed  to 
Wakefield. 

THOMAS  EATON,  Sen.,  Capt,  lived  on  the  Esq.  Fresco tt  place,  on 
Summer  Street;  was  son  of  Joshua  and  Rebecca  (Kendall)  Eaton, 
b.  1685,  m.  1708,  Lydia  Peirce,  of  Watertown,  d.  1774.  (See-  Early 
Settlers.)  His  father,  Joshua,  is  supposed  to  be  the  first  Eaton  who 
settled  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Reading.  Thomas,  aforesaid,  suc- 
ceeded his  father  on  this  place.  His  children  were  :  Thomas  (Jr.), 
Capt,  b.  1729,  succeeded  his  father  on  the  place,  m.  Elizabeth  Gerry, 


OF    THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


303 


and  d.  1787;  Joshua,  b.  1734,  settled  in  the  house  now  owned  by 
Ivory  Murray. 

The  children  of  Capt.  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  were  :  James  b.  1757, 

and  m.  Lydia  Nichols,  and  removed  to  Auburn.  Betsey,  b.  , 

and  d.  single. 

Thomas  (3d),  Lieut,  b.  1754,  succeeded  to  the  place,  and  m.  1781, 
Abigail  Bryant,  of  Stoneham,  and  d.  in  1787  ;  being  the  same  year 
that  his  father  died.  His  children  were:  Joseph,  b.  1781,  and  Abigail, 
b.  1785,  who  succeeded  to  the  place  and  m.  1813,  Joshua  Prescott, 
Esq.,  a  native  of  Westford,  who  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1807,  and 
died  1859,  aged  78.  Abigail,  d.  1867.  Their  children  :  Thomas  E., 
Alfred  A.  (Esq.),  Elizabeth,  and  Abigail  still  live  on  the  place. 

JOSHUA  EATON  lived  where  Ivory  Murray  now  lives,  on  Oak 
Street,  near  Summer  Street.  He  was  son  of  Capt.  Thomas  and  Lydia 
Eaton  (see  before,  and  also  Early  Settlers) ;  was  b.  1734,  and  died 
1772;  his  wife's  name  was  Molly.  His  children  were:  Joshua, 
b.  1757,  was  killed  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  at  the  battle  of  Sara- 
toga, Oct.  7,  1777 ;  Betsey,  who  m.  a  Boutwell  and  removed  from 
town ;  Charles,  b.  1759,  a  soldier  in  the  war;  m.  1780,  Rebecca  Poole, 

and  settled  in  what  is  now  Wakefield  ;  Polly,  b. ,  m.  1789,  John 

Rayner,  of  Wakefield.  The  place  has  since  been  owned  by  Edmund 
Wiley,  and  is  now  owned  by  Ivory  Murray,  aforesaid. 

THOMAS  EATON,  3d,  lived  in  the  Benj.  Young  house,  that  recently 
stood  on  a  privatejway  west  of  Main  Street,  and  was  burned  down  in 
1868  or  '9. 

Thomas  Eaton,  3d,  was  probably  the  son  of  John  and  Abigail 
(Roberts)  Eaton,  and  b.  1725.  (See  Early  Settlers.)  He  m.  Betsey, 
dau.  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Boutwell.  He  built  the  house  aforesaid. 
His  children  were:  Thomas,  b.  1748;  Betsey,  b.  1749;  Dorcas,  b. 
1754;  Eda  ;  Asa,  b.  1757  ;  Amos,  b.  1760.  Thomas,  b.  1748,  suc- 
ceeded his  father;  m.  1770,  Abigail  Bancroft,  of  Worcester.  The 
children  of  Thomas  and  Abigail  were :  Thomas,  b.  1775;  Joshua,  b. 
1778  ;  Loammi,  b.  1780. 

The  place  was  sold  to  Benj.  Young,  who  m.  1783,  Mary  Gould.  He 
had  a  son  Benja.,  b.  1785,  who  m.  1807,  Rebecca  Foster,  and  d.  1857, 
aged  71 ;  was  father  of  Edward  Young,  now  of  Reading. 

JAMES  EATON  lived  on  the  place  on  Franklin  Street,  now  occu- 
pied by  J.  Adams  Emerson,  and  recently  occupied  by  the  late  John 
Emerson,  Dep.  Sheriff. 

James  Eaton  was  the  son  of  John  and  Abigail  (Roberts)  Eaton,  b. 
J733  (see  Early  Settlers) ;  m.  1758,  Lois  Damon.  Their  children 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

were:    Lois,  b.  1758;   Lucy;   Sally;   Abigail;    Jerusha ;   Joseph,  b. 
1771,  and  m.  Sarah  Sweetser,  and  settled  in  Wakefield. 

James  Eaton  was  succeeded  on  the  place  by  Jonathan  Nichols,  who 
m.  Hannah  Damon.  Jonathan  and  Hannah  both  died  in  early  life,  at 
nearly  the  same  time,  and  their  remains  were  carried  together,  on 
men's  shoulders,  to  the  West  Parish.  They  left  a  dau.  Hannah,  b. 
1742,  who  m.  1761,  Dea.  John  Temple. 

The  place  was  sold  to  John  Emerson,  son  of  John  and  Hannah 
(Nichols;  Emerson,  b.  1755  a"d  m.  J777»  Phebe  Beard,  and  d.  1833. 
A  son  of  John  and  Phebe,  b.  1783,  succeeded,  and  was  formerly  Dep. 
Sheriff.  He  m.  Nancy  Wiley,  in  1815,  and  d.  1870.  John  A.  Emer- 
son, son  of  John  and  Nancy,  now  owns  and  occupies  the  place. 

EBENEZER  EMERSON  lived  on  the  "Franklin  Weston  place,"  cor- 
ner of  Franklin  and  Haverhill  Streets,  now  owned  by  Marcus  Gould. 
Ebenezer,  aforesaid,  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Joseph  Emerson,  first  minis- 
ter of  Mendon.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

Of  the  children  of  Ebenezer,  ist,  his  son  Ebenezer,  b.  1717,  suc- 
ceeded, and  was  living  on  the  place  in  1765.  He  m.  1746,  Anna 
Nichols;  she  died  1749.  He  m.,  2d,  Rebecca  (perhaps  the  sister  of 
Anna).  Chil.  by  Anna  :  Ebenezer,  b.  1747  ;  and  by  Rebecca,  Daniel, 
b.  1760. 

Ebenezer,  who  was  born  in  1747,  appears  to  have  settled  on  Grove 
Street,  m.  1769,  Judith  Nichols,  and  had  chil. :  Judith,  b.  1770  ; 
Joshua,  b.  1776  ;  and  Ebenezer,  b.  1772,  who  succeeded  his  father,  on 
Grove  Street,  m.  1794,  Rhoda  Symonds,  and  died  in  1867,  aged  94. 

Daniel,  half-brother  of  Ebenezer,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Rebecca,  b. 
1760,  succeeded  his  father  on  the  old  homestead  ;  m.  1781,  Lucy,  dau. 
of  Isaac  Pratt ;  was  father  of  Dea.  Oliver,  late  of  Lynnfield,  of  Loring 
of  Winchester,  Putnam  of  Woburn,  and  other  children.  He  sold  the 
old  place  to  Col.  Nathan  Parker,  and  removed  to  Lynnfield.  Col. 
Parker  sold  the  place  to  Franklin  Weston,  son  of  James  and  Hannah 
(Bancroft)  Weston.  Franklin  Weston,  m.  1819,  Mary,  dau.  of  Edmund 
Wiley  (ist  wife). 

NATHANIEL  EMERSON  lived  in  a  house  that  stood  on  Pearl  Street 
north  of  Franklin  Street,  and  that  was  torn  down  some  thirty  or  forty 
years  ago. 

Was  probably  a  relative,  perhaps  a  younger  brother,  of  the  preced- 
ing; m.  1725,  Hepzibeth  Burnap.  Children:  Nathaniel,  b.  1726; 
Hepzi.,  b.  1729  ;  John,  b.  1732  ;  Susanna,  b.  1734;  Tabitha,  b.  1737  ; 
Martha  and  Mary,  b.  1739;  Samuel,  b.  1740;  Joseph,  who  d.  in 
Chelmsford,  and  others. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


3°5 


JOHN  EMERSON  lived  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  Silas  G. 
Emerson,  on  Pearl  Street,  near  Main  Street ;  was  called  Ensign. 

John  WAS  the  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Hepzi.,  b.  1732  ;  m.  1755,  Han- 
nah Nichols.  Children:  John,  b.  1755;  Nathaniel,  b.  1757;  David, 
b.  1762;  Hannah,  b.  1765  ;  Abigail.  He  was  succeeded  on  the  place 
by  his  son  David,  who  was  born  1762,  and  who  m.  1787,  Sarah  Gowing ; 
she  d.  1809  ;  and  m.  for  zd  wife,  Selina  Gassett,  of  Townsend. 

Chil. :  David,  b.  1787,  and  settled  on  Haverhill  Street,  where  his 
son  Clinton  now  lives.  Sally,  Henry,  Thomas ;  and  by  2d  wife,  Silas 
G.  and  Albert  B. ;  Silas  G.  has  succeeded  to  the  place.  This  place 
has  never  been  sold  since  it  was  first  ^settled. 

SAMUEL  FARLEY  lived  on  the  place  on  Salem  Street,  formerly  the 
"  Daniel  Damon  place,"  now  owned  by  Francis  Kingman.  Capt. 
Samuel  Lamson  was  an  early  settler  on  this  place,  and  died  here  in 
1692.  It  was  afterwards  owned  by  Wm.  Melendy  and  Joseph  Hill, 
who  sold  it  to  the  town,  in  1760-1,  for  ^50  and  6s.,  house  and  land. 
Samuel  Farley,  who  was  supported  by  the  town,  was  living  here  in 
1765.  In  1767  the  place  was  sold  to  Samuel  Damon.  (See  Early 
Settlers.) 

Win.  FELCH  lived  on  the  place  now  owned  and  occupied  by 
Phineas  Green,  on  Main  Street,  on  S.  W.  side  of  Bare  Hill. 

This  was  Margaret  Feleh,  maiden  name  Marg't  Toothaker,  from 
Wilmington,  was  m.  to  Ebenezer  Felch,  in  1733  (2d  wife),  (his  istwife, 
who  was  Lydia  Chandler,  from  Andover,  d.  in  1731).  Chil.:  Lydia,  b. 
1729 ;  Phebe,  b.  1734;  Joseph,  b.  1736,  and  Mary,  b.  1739,  and  m.  to 
John  Farmer,  in  1763. 

Ebenezer  Felch  was  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth,  b.  1701.  (See 
Early  Settlers.) 

John  Farmer  succeeded  his  father-in-law  on  the  place ;  had  a  son 
John,  b.  1767,  who  d.  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

Farmer  sold  the  place  to  Samuel  Weston,  and  went  to  Lunenburg. 

Weston  sold  to  Nathan  Mason,  and  went  to  Rowley. 

Mason  sold  to  Asahel  Porter,  from  Stoneham. 

Porter  m.  in  1796,  Betsey  Atwell,  who  d.  in  1869. 

The  chil.  of  Asahel  Porter  were  :  Asahel ;  Mary,  who  m.  Capt.  Geo. 
Bancroft ;  George,  who  m.  Emily  Bancroft ;  Stillman ;  William ; 
Darius ;  Eliza,  who  m.  James  Pierce,  of  Stoneham. 

CAPT.     ABRAHAM    FOSTER   lived    on   Grove    Street,   on    the   place 

lately  owned  by  Nehemiah  Bancroft,  and  now  owned  and  occupied  by 

Nathaniel  E.  Hill.     The  first  house  was  built  on  the  Plain  and  moved 

up  to  the  road.     Capt.  Foster  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (see 

39 


306  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

Early  Settlers) ;  b.  about  1702;  m.  1733,  Susanna  Hartshorn,  and  d. 
Z753>  aged  49-  After  his  death,  the  place  was  sold  to  Nehemiah  Ban- 
croft. Nehemiah  was  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Temple)  Ban- 
croft (see  ante);  b.  1768;  m.  1791,  Susanna  Beard,  and  d.  1863,  aged 
95.  Chil. :  Susanna,  who  m.  1819,  Samuel  Parker;  Eliza,  m.  1820, 
Charles  Parker;  Miah,  and  James  H.,  who  m.  1828,  Emily  J.  Eames. 
JONATHAN  FOSTER,  brother  of  the  foregoing,  b.  1712  ;  lived  on  the 
place  formerly  of  Ebenezer  Emerson,  and  now  of  Joseph  Fultz,  on 
Grove  Street.  The  house  was  built  by  one  Stimpson,  a  fiddler,  who 
came  near  being  captured  one  night  by  the  Indians,  while  sitting  on  a 
log  fiddling. 

Samuel  Foster,  the  father  of  Jonathan,  succeeded  Stimpson  ;  Jona- 
than succeeded  his  father;  m.  1733,  Dorothy,  or  Deborah,  Merrow,  and 
d.  in  1775,  and  was  buried  on  the  day  of  Concord  fight.  Their  children 
were:  Jonathan,  b.  1737;  Samuel,  b.  1743,  and  lived  in  Gardner; 
Anna,  b.  1735;  Dolly,  b.  1738;  Sarah,b.  1744;  Jonathan,  last  named, 
m.  1761,  Sarah  Townsend,  and  had  chil. :  Sarah,  b.  1762  ;  Daniel,  b. 
1767;  Aaron,  b.  1769;  Davis,  b.  1771,  and  m.  1805,  Wid.  Nancy 
Russell,  and  lived  in  Wakefield;  Jonathan,  b.  1774;  John,  b.  1773  ; 
Dolly,  b.  1776  ;  Alice,  b.  1781,  and  Anna,  b.  1784. 

Ebenezer  Emerson  bought  this  place  of  the  first  Jonathan  Foster. 
He,  Ebenezer,  was  the  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Anna  (Nichols)  Emer- 
son (see  ante);  was  b.  1772  ;  m.  Rhoda  Symonds  in  1794,  and  d.  1867. 
His  chil.  were  :  Rhoda,  b.  1795  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1804  ;  Melina  and  Fidelia. 
His  son  Ebenezer,  b.  1804;  m.,  ist,  in  1828,  Sally  Peabody,  and  2d,  in 
1849,  Esther  Taylor,  and  d.  in  1861. 

Dea.  Henry  A.  Emerson,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Sally,  aforesaid,  b. 
1831  ;  m.  1853,  Emily  P.  Stimpson,  and  d.  in  1869. 

BENJAMIN  FOSTER,  brother  of  the  foregoing,  lived  on  the  place  on 
Grove  Street,  near  Wilmington  line,  lately  owned  by  Enos  Tibbetts, 
and  now  owned  by  A.  J.  Francis.  Benjamin  Foster  was  b.  1715.  (See 
Early  Settlers.)  The  first  house  on  this  place  was  burned  about  1760. 
Mr.  Foster  built  the  present  house  soon  after.  His  son  Samuel  suc- 
ceeded to  the  homestead,  and  upon  his  death  the  place  was  sold  to 
Henry  Eames.  It  was  afterwards  owned  and  occupied  by  Enos  Tib- 
betts, until  his  death  in  1865.  Tibbetts  m.  in  1822,  Cynthia,  dau  of 
Asa  and  Anna  (Eames)  Parker. 

TIMOTHY  HARTSHORN  lived  on  Haverhill  Street,  on  the  place  recently 
occupied  by  his  son  Timothy,  and  now  by  his  children.  This  Timothy, 
Sen.,  was  b.  1737,  and  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Abigail  (Taylor) 
Hartshorn  ;  (see  Early  Settlers) ;  m.  Abigail  Nichols,  the  dau.  of 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  307 

Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Batchelder)  Nichols.  Their  chil.  were  :  Abi- 
gail, b.  1761,  and  m.  1779  to  Uea.  Benjamin  Pratt;  Esther,  b.  1763, 
and  m.  1780  to  Ebenezer  Stimpson ;  Timothy,  b.  1775  (see  below),  and 
Molly,  who  d.  single. 

Timothy,  b.  1775,  succeeded  to  the  place;  m.  1800,  Sally  Nelson, 
and  d.  1844.  Their  children  were  :  Sally,  Mary,  Timothy  Ward,  Eliz- 
abeth, and  Mehitabel.  Timothy,  Sen.,  aforesaid,  purchased  the  place 
of  one  Eaton. 

JONATHAN  NICHOLS  lived  in  an  old  house  that  stood  on  the  west 
side  of  Pearl  Street,  north  of  Forest  Street.  He  was  the  son  of  James 
and  Mary  (Poole)  Nichols,  b.  1691.  (See  Early  Settlers.)  He  m. 
1716,  Phebe  Eaton.  Children:  Jonathan,  b.  1717,  and  Benjamin,  b. 
1723.  Benjamin  succeeded  to  the  homestead,  and  m.  Mary  Trow. 
The  children  of  Benjamin  and  Mary  were:  Joseph,  b.  1752  ;  m.  Molly 
Dudley,  and  removed  to  Hillsboro' ;  Benjamin,  b.  1754 ;  m.  1779,  Re- 
becca Bancroft,  and  removed  to  Gardner  ;  Jonathan,  b.  1758  ;  m.  1778, 
Elizabeth  Calnon,  and  removed  to  Wilmington;  Jesse,  b.  1760;  m., 
ist,  1784,  Rebecca  Walton,  and  2d,  1789,  Betty  Howard;  Mary,  b. 
1756;  m.  1776,  William  Beers;  Ebenezer,  b.  1762;  m.,  ist,  1789, 
Rebecca  Howard,  of  Andover,  and  2d,  17^0,  Betsey  Dix.  Ebenezer 
sold  the  place  to  Nathaniel  Batchelder,  who  took  down  the  old  house 
about  the  year  1800.  The  old  cellar  is  still  to  be  seen. 

RICHARD  NICHOLS  lived  on  the  corner  of  Franklin  Street,  near  Pearl 
Street,  on  the  place  lately  of  Asa  Parker,  and  now  of  George  Parker. 
He  was  the  son  of  John  and  Abigail  Nichols  (see  Early  Settlers) ;  was 
b.  1679  ;  was  the  first  man  known  to  have  lived  on  the  place.  He  m. 
1706,  Abigail  Damon.  His  children  were  :  Abigail,  b.  1708  ;  John,  b. 
1711 ;  Mary,  b.  1713  ;  Hepzibeth,  b.  1721  ;  Mehitabel,  b.  1723  ;  Jacob, 
b.  1726;  Richard,  b.  1715,  and  who  built  the  house  now  owned  by  Rich- 
ard B.Nichols;  Joshua,  b.  11718,  and  who  succeeded  his  father  on 
the  homestead.  Joshua,  m.  Hepzibeth  Hartshorn,  and  their  children 
were:  Joshua,  b.  1746;  Judith,  b.  1749  ;  and  Hepzibeth,  who  m.  1762, 
Asa  Parker  (son  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  Parker),  b.  1740,  and  d.  1809. 
,Asa  Parker  and  wife  succeeded  to  her  father's  place.  The  children  of 
Asa  and  Hepzibeth  were:  Joshua,  b.  1774,  and  removed  to  New 
Hampshire  ;  Lucy,  b.  1779,  and  d.  single  ;  Loea,  b.  1782  ;  was  a  lieu- 
tenant, and  d.  in  1814  at  Fort  Independence  ;  Levi,  b.  1784  (a  deacon) ; 
m.  1805,  Polly  Nichols,  and  went  to  Wilmington ;  Lucinda,  b.  1786; 
and  Asa. 

Asa,  Jr.,  succeeded  his  father  on  the  place,  and  m.  1796,  Anna 
Eames,  of  Wilmington.  The  children  of  Asa  and  Anna  were  :  James  ; 


308  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

George,  who  now  owns  the  place  ;  Nancy,  who  m.  James  Batchelder ; 
Cynthia,  who  m.  1822,  Enos  Tibbetts ;  and  Betsey,  who  d.  single. 

JOHN  NICHOLS  lived  on  Pearl  Street,  near  Main  Street,  on  the  place 
lately  of  Luther  Nichols,  his  grandson,  and  now  of  Wm.  Gates  Nichols, 
his  great-grandson. 

John,  aforesaid,  was  the  son  of  John  and  Joanna  (Nichols)  Nichols, 
and  the  grandson  of  John  and  Abigail.  (See  First  Settlers.)  He  was 
born  1736,  and  m.  1760,  Bethiah  Burnap,  dau.  of  Capt.  Joseph  and  Abi- 
gail (Bickford)  Burnap.  He  succeeded  his  father,  John,  and  his 
grandfather,  John,  on  this  place,  and  died  in  1819.  His  children  were  : 
Mary,  b.  1763,  and  d.  single;  John,  b.  1761  (see  after) ;  Kendall,  b. 
1766,  and  m.  Hannah  Symonds,  and  went  to  Sharon  ;  James,  b.  1768  ; 
Hosea  ;  Samuel,  b.  1772,  and  went  to  Stoddard,  N.  H.  John  aforesaid, 
b.  1761,  succeeded  to  the  place,  and  m.  1785,  Jerusha  Parker,  dau.  of 
Daniel  and  Sarah  (Parker)  Parker,  and  d.  1823.  Their  children  were  : 
John,  b.  1788,  and  m.  Aner  Damon  in  1814;  Luther,  b.  1800  (see 
after)  ;  Jerusha,  b.  1786,  and  m.  Michael  Cross;  Bethiah,  b.  1791,  and 
m.  1813,  Edmund  Nichols;  Clarissa,  b.  1793,  and  m.  1816,  Richard 
Nichols  ;  Nancy,  b.  1805,  and  m.  1824,  Jonathan  Frost.  Luther,  afore- 
said, b.  1800,  succeeded  to  the  place,  and  m.  1823,  Rebecca  Saunders, 
of  Tewksbury.  He  left  sons,  now  living  :  William  G.,  his  successor 
on  the  place,  Parker  C.,  and  John  B. 

RICHARD  NICHOLS  lived  on  the  place,  on  Franklin  Street,  now  occu- 
pied by  Richard  B.  Nichols,  his  great-grandson. 

He  was  the  son  of  Richard  and  Abigail  (Damon)  Nichols  (see  Early 
Settlers)  ;  was  born  1715  ;  m.  1738,  Mary  Williams,  dau.  of  William 
Williams.  Her  father  and  brother  James  were  drowned  in  Lake  Quan- 
napowitt,  in  1829,  by  the  upsetting  of  a  boat.  The  children  of  Richard 
and  Mary  were  :  Richard,  b.  1740  ;  Mary,  b.  1742  ;  Mehitabel,  b.  1744 
and  m.  1763,  Isaac  Pratt;  Sarah,  b.  1747  ;  William,  b.  1750  ;  Tabitha, 
b-  J752;  Jeremiah,  b.  1755;  Edmund,  b.  1758  (see  after);  Susanna, 
b.  1759;  Lydia,  b.  1760.  Edmund,  aforesaid,  b.  1758,  succeeded  to 
the  place,  and  m.  1786,  Dolly  Eames,  of  Wilmington.  Children  of  Ed- 
mund and  Dolly  were  :  Richard  and  Edmund,  twins  ;  Richard,  b.  1787  * 
(see  after)  ;  m.  1816,  Clarissa,  dau.  of  John  and  Jerusha  Nichols ;  Ed- 
mund, b.  1787  ;  m.  1813,  Bethiah,  dau.  of  John  and  Jerusha  Nichols; 
Seth,  b,  1790,  went  to  Pennsylvania  ;  Dolly,  b.  1793  ;  m.  1813,  Kphraim 
Weston,  Jr. ;  Daniel,  b.  1796  ;  m.  1820,  Lavinia,  dau.  of  William  and 
Sarah  Parker,  and  d.  1869  ;  Sally,  b.  1798  ;  m.  Robert  Campbell. 

Richard,  aforesaid,  who  was  b.  1787,  succeeded  to  the  place.  His 
children  were :  Richard  B.,  who  now  lives  on  the  place  ;  John  N.,  Ed- 
win, and  Daniel. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  309 

CAPT.  NATHAN  PARKER  owned,  and  perhaps  occupied  at  this  time, 
the  old  Jaquith  house,  that  stood  on  the  corner  of  Woburn  and  Wash- 
ington Streets,  on  the  place  now  owned  by  Wendall  Bancroft. 

Capt.  Nathan  was  the  son  of  Lieut.  Nathaniel,  and  the  grandson  of 
Ens.  Nathaniel,  who  was  son  of  Thomas  and  Amy.  Ens.  Nathaniel 
was  the  first  person  buried  in  the  West  Parish  cemetery  ;  he  d.  in  1737, 
aged  87.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

Capt.  Nathan  was  born  1719  ;  m.  1741,  Tabitha  Gould,  of  Stoneham  ; 
d.  1778.  He  probably  succeeded  his  father,  Lieut.  Nathaniel,  on  this 
place.  His  children  were :  Caleb  (see  after),  Nathan,  Nathaniel,  Ed 
mund  (who  died  in  the  Revolutionary  War)  ;  Tabitha,  who  m.  1766, 
William  Bickford,  and  lived  in  Gardner;  Hannah,  who  m.  1769,  Rev. 
Joseph  Willard  ;  Sarah,  who  m.  1786,  James  Bancroft,  Esq. ;  Susa,  who 
m.  1783,  Barnard  Green,  Esq.,  of  Maiden;  Nathan  (Col.),  b.  about 
1748  (see  after) ;  Nathaniel,  a  physician,  who  lived  and  d.  in  Salem. 

Caleb,  aforesaid,  b.  about  1743,  succeeded  to  the  place  ;  m.,  ist,  Zer- 
viah  Reed,  of  Woburn;  m.,  2d,  in  1777,  Hannah  Gaffield,  of  Lincoln, 
and  died  in  1820.  His  children  were :  Caleb,  b.  1768 ;  Hannah,  b. 
1777  ;  Lucinda,  b.  1779  ;  Abraham,  Sophia,  and  Susan. 

It  is  not  known  when  this  old  house  was  built,  but  it  is  traditional 
that  the  Rev.  Richard  Brown,  who  died  in  1732,  used  to  come  up  from 
the  South  Parish  and  hold  meetings  in  it.-  The  first  school-house  in  the 
West  Parish,  now  Reading,  stood  on  the  opposite  corner ;  and,  on  the 
corner  where  G.  W.  Simes'  house  now  stands,  there  was  a  blacksmith's 
shop,  and  many  of  the  old  ox-shoes  and  nails  are  found  in  the  soil.  A 
marvellous  legend  is  related  of  the  old  house.  It  was  supposed  to  be 
haunted  by  evil  spirits  some  forty  or  fifty  years  ago.  Such  apparitions 
were  seen  and  noises  heard  that  children  were  afraid  to  pass  directly 
by  it,  and  would  go  around  through  the  fields.  It  is  said  that  old  Mr. 
Daniel  Bailey,  on  a  certain  occasion,  came  running  at  full  speed  into 
E.  Weston's  store,  about  half  a  mile  distant  from  the  old  house,  badly 
frightened  and  much  exhausted.  When  he  had  wiped  the  perspiration 
from  his  face,  and  his  nerves  had  become  somewhat  quieted,  and  he 
had  recovered  sufficient  breath  to  speak,  he  related  his  adventures,  as 
follows :  He  said  "  he  did  not  intend  to  be  frightened  at  anything  till 
he  saw  it,  and,  as  he  was  passing  the  Jaquith  house,  he  thought,  if  the 
old  devil  was  at  home,  he  would  like  to  see  him.  He  accordingly  went 
up  to  an  open  window  to  get  a  view  of  him.  Whereupon  the  old  spin 
ning-wheel  began  to  go  and  to  buzz.  In  an  instant  his  hair  stood  on 
end  and  raised  his  hat,  so  that  he  had  to  hold  it  on  as  he  ran."  He 
did  not  see  the  old  fellow  spin;  he  was  too  busily  engaged  himself  in 
"•  spinning  street-yarn" 


3io 


GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 


The  old  house  was  afterwards  owned  by  Daniel  Chute,  Esq.,  and 
upon  his  death,  in  1843,  it  came  into  the  possession  of  the  late  Samuel 
W.  Carter,  whose  wife  was  a  dau.  of  Rev.  Peter  Sanborn,  and  an 
adopted  dau.  of  said  Chute. 

Capt.  Parker  erected,  about  this  time,  a  new  house  on  Ash  Street, 
formerly  owned  and  occupied  by  his  son,  Col.  Nathan,  and  called  on 
the  old  map  "  Capt.  Parker's  Red  House,"  the  same  that  is  now  owned 
by  James  Davis. 

Col.  Nathan,  aforesaid,  who  succeeded  to  his  father's  "Red House," 
m.,  ist,  1777,  Phebe  Pratt ;  she  d.  1785,  aged  33  ;  m.,  2d,  1788,  Wid. 
Abigail  Eaton,  whose  maiden  name  was  Bryant;  she  d.  in  1797,  aged 
43;  m.,  3d,  17*98,  Lydia  Stearns;  she  d.  in  1832,  aged  63.  He  d.  in 
1815,  aged  67.  His  children  were  :  by  Phebe,  Hon  Edmund,  b.  1779  ; 
m.,  ist,  1810,  Rebecca  Weston,  dau.  of  Capt.  Jonathan  and  Lucy  (Par- 
ker) Weston  ;  m.,  2d,  Wid.  Rachael  Williams  ;  Rev.  Nathan,  D.  D  ., 
b.  1782,  minister  of  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  30  years  ;  Phebe,  b.  1784.  By 
Abigail,  Susanna,  b.  1788  ;  m.  1807,  Thaddeus  B.  Pratt,  and  d.  1845  ; 
Thomas,  b.  1790;  trader  ;  died  1832.  By  Lydia,  Nathaniel,  b.  1800; 
m.  1824,  Mary  Woodbridge,  of  Andover,  and  d  1859  ;  Phebe,  b.  1802  ; 
m.  Tho.  Pratt,  and  d.  1841  ;  Gould,  b.  1804  ;  Sarah,  b.  1806,  and  mar- 
ried and  went  to  Maine  ;  Eunice,  b.  1807,  and  m  Lowell  Skilton. 

Capt.  Parker  was  a  large  landholder,  and  could  walk  a  mile  in  a 
direct  line  on  his  own  territory.  He  also  owned  the  house  on  Pearl 
Street,  near  Lowell  Street  (since  remodelled),  now  owned  by  George 
Thayef,  called  on  the  old  map  "  Capt  Parker's  Boutwell  House."  This 
house  was  occupied  in  early  times  by  Samuel  Lilley,  b.  1665,  son  of 
George  and  Hannah  Lilley.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

Lilley  was  succeeded  by  Jonathan  Boutwell,  son  of  John  and  Hannah 
(Davis)  Boutwell,  b.  1709,  who  m.  1733.  Elizabeth  Foster,  and  removed 
to  Wilmington,  and  was  ancestor  of  Hon.  Geo.  S.  Boutwell,  U.  S.  Sen- 
ator, ex-Governor,  etc. 

Capt.  Parker  bought  the  place,  and  sold  it  to  Cleaveland  Beard,  son 
of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth  (Nichols)  Beard  ;  he  was  b.  1748;  m  1769, 
Elizabeth  Foster,  and  d.  1826. 

JOHN  PARKER  lived  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  Aaron  Parker, 
on  Walnut  Street. 

This  John  Parker  was  the  grandson  of  Serg't  John  Parker,  of  Cow- 
drey's  Hill,  and  grandson  of  Thomas.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

He  was  the  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Kendall)  Parker ;  his  father, 
who  was  born  1668,  and  succeeded  to  the  Cowdrey's  hill,  fell  from  a 
horse  and  broke  his  neck. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  31 1 

This  third  John  was  born  1701,  m.  1723,  Sarah  Lilley,  dau.  of 
Samuel  Lille),  and  d.  1790.  His  wife  d.  1771,  aged  73. 

He  first  settled  on  the  place  on  Franklin  Street,  recently  owned  by 
Richard  Parker,  where  he  built,  about  1725,  the  house  on  that  place. 
He  afterwards  exchanged  places  with  his  brother  Benjamin,  who  had 
succeeded  to  their  father's  homestead  ;  and  John  thus  became  his 
father's  successor. 

His  children  were  :  John,  b.  1724,  and  went  to  Royalston  ;  Jonas,  b. 
1728  (see  after).  Jacob,  b.  1726  ;  Sarah,  b.  1738,  and  m.  Nathaniel 
Cowdrey;  Elizabeth;  Bridget,  b.  1744,  and  m.  John  Orne,  of  Lynn- 
field  ;  Hannah,  b.  1732  ;  Amos,  b.  1741. 

Jonas,  aforesaid  (Lieut),  succeeded  to  the  place;  b.  1728,  m.  Mary 
Gould  ;  d.  1800;  Children  :  Jonas,  b.  1753  ;  m.  1780,  Susanna  Leathe, 
and  d.  1827.  He  settled  on  the  place  recently  of  Chas.  Tweed,  and 
now  of  Mrs.  B.  F.  Newhall.  Mary;  Aaron,  b.  1757  (see  after); 
William,  b.  1760,  and  settled  near  the  old  place  where  his  grandson, 
Wm.  S.  Parker,  now  lives. 

BENJAMIN  PARKER,  brother  of  the  aforementioned  John,  with  his 
son  William,  occupied  the  house  on  Franklin  Street,  recently  of  Rich- 
ard Parker,  and  now  of  Henry  Cook.  Benjamin  Parker,  aforesaid,  was 
a  grandson  of  Serg't  John  Parker'  (See  Early  Settlers.)  Settled  first 
on  the  homestead  of  his  father,  but  afterwards  exchanged  the  home- 
stead with  his  brother  John,  for  this  place.  He  was  born  1703  ;  m.,  ist, 
1726,  Sarah  Foster,  who  d.  1741  ;  m.,  2d,  Sarah  Parker,  dau.  of  Jona. 
and  Barbara  Parker.  Children:  by  ist  wife,  Benja.,  b.  1727;  Sarah, 
b.  1728;  Phebe,  b.  1730;  Elizabeth,  b.  1731;  Reuben,  b.  1732; 
William,  b.  1735  (see  after)  ;  Lydia,  b.  1736.  By  2d  wife,  Elisha,  b. 
1749  ;  Simeon,  b.  1752. 

William,  aforesaid,  b.  1735,  settled  on  the  homestead  of  his  father; 
m.  1763,  Mary  Nichols,  and  d.  1807. 

His  children  were  William  and  Molly,  who  d.  young,  and 
Richard,  b.  1771.  He  succeeded  his  father  on  the  place;  and  m. 

1794,  Hannah  Pool,  of  East  Sudbury.     His  children  were:   Wm.,  b. 

1795,  and  m.  1820,  Lucy  Beard;  Cephas,  b.  1798,  and  m.  1832,  Eliza- 
beth Smiley,  and  in  1850,  Ann  Parker.     Theron,  b.  1803,  and  m.  1834, 
Abigail  Wakefield ;    Loton,  b.  1806.      These  children  all   reside   in 
Reading. 

Their  father,  Richard,  died  in  1868,  at  the  age  of  97.  He  became 
venerable  and  venerated  for  his  age,  intelligence,  integrity,  and 
moral  worth.  He  possessed  a  most  tenacious  memory,  and  appears  to 
have  taken  a  strong  interest  in  the  passing  events  of  his  youthful  years, 


312 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


RICHARD     PARKER. 

and  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  early  social,  parochial,  and  munici- 
pal history  of  his  parish  and  town  ;  he  was  long  an  accurate  dictionary 
and  a  lively  oracle.  To  him  we  are  indebted  for  many  of  the  facts  in 
this  Genealogical  Record. 

PHINEAS  PARKER  lived  in  a  house *on  the  place  recently  owned  by 
Rev.  Peter  San  born,  and  now  owned  by  Geo.  W.  Grouard.  The  old 
house  stood  near  the  residence  of  Ira  W.  Ruggles,  where  the  old  well 
still  remains. 

Phineas  was  the  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Bethiah,  and  grandson  of 
Thos.  and  Amy  (see  Early  Settlers)  ;  he  was  born  in  1704.  His  wife's 
name  was  Martha  ;  his  children  were  :  Edmund,  b.  1731  ;  Martha,  b. 
1735;  Elizabeth,  b.  1737;  Phineas,  b. 1739  ;  (Capt.),  who  m.  1768, 
Lydia  Monroe,  of  Lexington,  and  in  1782,  Wid.  Lydia  Damon,  and 
removed  to  Wakefield.  Lydia,  b.  1742  ;  John,  b.  1748  ;  and  Mary,  b. 

1757- 

Phineas,  the  ist,  sold  the  place  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Haven,  the  first 
minister  of  the  present  town  of  Reading,  who  built  the  house  that  is 
now  the  residence  of  Geo.  W.  Grouard. 

DANIEL  PARKER  lived  at  the  corner  of  Pearl  and  Charles  Streets, 
on  the  place  late  of  Capt.  Charles  Parker,  and  now  of  John  Walker. 

Daniel,  aforesaid,  was  the  son  of  Jonathan  and  Barbara  (Elseley) 
Parker,  who  were  probably  the  first  residents  on  this  place.  He  was 
the  grandson  of  Serg't  John  Parker  (see  Early  Settlers),  and  was  b. 
1 68 1 ;  he  succeeded  his  father  on  the  place.  The  children  of  Jonathan 
and  Barbara  were :  Jonathan  ;  Amy,  b.  1720,  and  m.  1744,  James  Dix  ; 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  KEADJ\G. 


313 


Sarah,  b.  1708,  and  m.  Benjamin  Parker;  Hannah,  b.  1716,  and  m.  1739, 
Thomas  Symonds  ;  Daniel,  b.  1725,  and  succeeded  to  the  homestead, 
and  m.  Sarah  Parker;  shed,  in  1773.  Their  children  were:  Daniel, 
b.  1752  (see  after)  ;  Jonathan,  b.  1756,  and  d.  1773,  much  respected  ; 
Sarah,  b.  1754,  and  in.  1780,  Levi  Flint,  of  North  Reading;  Mary,  b. 
1761,  and  m.  1788,  Ebenezer  Flint,  of  Tevvksbury ;  Hannah,  b.  1763, 
and  m.  Solomon  Sargent,  of  Maiden;  Jerusha,  b.  1765,  and  m.  1785, 
John  Nichols;  Lydia,  b.  1771,  and  m.  1789,  Timothy  Bancroft. 

Daniel,  aforesaid,  b.  1752,  succeeded  to  the  place,  and  m.  1780, 
Sarah  Richardson.  Their  children  were:  Sarah,  b.  1781,  and  died 
young;  Jonathan,  b.  1783,  and  m.  Susy  Bancroft,  and  were  the  parents 
of  Dea.  Milo  Parker;  Sally,  b.  1785,  and  m.  Joseph  Spokesfield,  and 
died  Dec.  i,  1872  ;  Charles  (Capt),  b.  1794  (see  after) ;  Daniel  and 
Samuel,  twins;  Daniel,  b.  1790,  and  d.  young;  Samuel,  b.  1790;  m., 
ist,  1819,  Susan,  dau.  of  Nehemiah  Bancroft ;  she  d.  in  1827,  and  he 
m.  in  1828,  Harriet  B.  Allen.  He  lived  on  the  place  now  owned  by 
the  town  of  Reading,  and  used  as  an  almshouse. 

Capt.  Charles,  aforesaid,  b.  1794,  succeeded  to  the  homestead,  and 
m.  Eliza,  dau.  of  Nehemiah  Bancroft,  aforesaid.  The  children  of  Capt. 
Charles  were  :  Elizabeth  A.,  who  m.  Parker  Kimball,  and  d.  1850; 
Lucelia  J.,  who  m.  1843,  John  E.  Walker,  and  now  resides  on  the  old 
place. 

JONATHAN  PARKER  lived  on  the  place  now  owned  by  Edward  Apple- 
ton,  Esq.,  on  Woburn  Street.  The  old  house  stood  on  the  south  side 
of  the  street,  on  land  lately  owned  by  Daniel  Pratt,  Esq.,  near  the  old 
well  which  is  still  to  be  seen. 

This  Jonathan  Parker  may  have  been  the  son  of  Thomas  and 
Deborah  (see  Early  Settlers),  but  no  record  of  his  birth  has  been 
found.  He  was  called  Widower  Parker;  his  wife  Sarah  died  in  1747, 
at  the  age  of  33,  and  he  lived  single  till  old  age.  He  adopted  his 
nephew  Jonathan  Parker,  who  m.  Ruth.  They  had  a  dau.  Ruth,  who 
died  single,  and  a  dau.  Sarah, b.  175 2,  who  m.  1777,  Ebenezer  Richardson. 
Richardson  came  to  Reading  in  1773  ;  his  children  were :  Sally,  b.  1780 ; 
Susy,  b.  1782  ;  Jonathan,  b.  1784  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1788.  He  bought  tl.ree 
acres  of  land,  now  owned  by  Edward  Appleton,  Esq.,  for  which  he 
pa-id  ,£18,  and  commenced  building  the  house,  in  1795,  which  is  now 
occupied  by  Mr.  Appleton  ;  but  owing  to  pecuniary  embarrassment  he 
sold  the  place  to  David  Pratt. 

David  Pratt  came  to  Reading  from  Saugus  ;  m.,  ist,  Betsey  Pratt,  of 
Maiden;  m.,  2d,  in   1813,  Anna  Pratt,  of  Boston;   was  an  extensive 
and  successful  shoe  manufacturer ;  built  the  house  now  owned  by  his 
40 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

son  Thomas,  and  d.  1818,  aged  52.  His  children  were:  By  ist  wife, 
Daniel,  Esq.,  b.  1797  ;  m  1818,  Delia  Burt,  and  d.  1871 ;  Thomas,  b. 
1798  ;  m.  1818,  Phebe,  dau.  of  Col.  Nathan  Parker;  she  d.  in  1841  ; 
and  he  m.,  2d,  1843,  Harriet  Whiting;  by  ist  wife,  Betsey,  b.  1792  ;  m. 
1818,  Capt  Isaac  Upton  ;  by  2d  wife,  Henry  M.,  b.  1814,  and  David  W., 
b.  1817. 

EPHRAIM  PARKER  lived  in  the  old  house,  on  Washington  Street,  now 
owned  by  Tho.  Sweetser.  Ephraim  was  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Eliza- 
beth (Eaton)  Parker,  and  grandson  (probably)  of  Thos.  and  Deborah  ; 
b.  1728  ;  m.  1749,  Ruth  Bancroft,  who  d.  1751 ;  and  he  m.,2d,  in  1752, 
Rebecca  Temple,  and  she  d.  1784.  His  only  child  was  Ephraim,  b. 
1751 ;  was  called  "  Master  Ephraim"  ;  he  succeeded  his  father  on  the 
place  until  it  was  sold,  after  which  he  lived  in  the  house  on  West  Street 
now  owned  by  Thos.  Sweetser,  Esq.  "  Master  Ephraim"  m.  Zerviah 
Richardson,  of  Woburn,  and  had  no  issue. 

Thomas  Sweetser  (father  of  Thomas,  Esq.)  bought  the  place.  He 
was  son  of  Phineas  Sweetser,  of  Charlestown  (now  Stoneham),  and  m. 
1795,  Sarah  Pratt,  of  Maiden.  Children:  Thomas  (Esq.),  b.  1795; 
m.  1818,  Olivia  Richardson,  and  m.,  2d,  1863,  Sophia  Abbott ;  'Sam- 
uel,  b.  1797,  and  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Jonas  and  Susan  (Leathe)  Parker  ; 
Phineas,  b.  1799  ;  Seth,  b.  1802  ;  Amos,  b.  1807  ;  and  Sarah.  Esq., 
Thomas,  aforesaid,  succeeded  to  the  ownership  of  the  old  house,  and 
lives  near  it. 

JOSEPH  PARKER  lived  in  an  old  house  that  stood  on  Franklin  Street 
north  of  the  Richard  Parker  house,  and  formerly  of  Ebenezer  Nichols, 
and  now  of  J.  G.  Hutchinson. 

Joseph,  aforesaid,  was  the  son  and  successor  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth 
(Eaton)  Parker,  and  was  born  1717.  He  was  brother  of  Ephraim 
(aforementioned),  Jona.,  and  Mary.  He  m.  1743,  Mary  Walton.  His 
children  were :  Joseph,  b.  1744;  Mary,  b.  1745;  Elizabeth,  b.  1753; 
Catharine,  b.  1757  ;  and  Isaac,  b,  1746,  who  succeeded  to  the  place, 
and  sold  it  to  Jesse  Bailey.  Bailey  sold  to  John  Emerson  ;  Emerson 
to  Ebenezer  Nichols. 

AMOS  PIERSON  lived  in  the  house  on  Haverhill  Street,  lately  of  Sam- 
uel Pratt,  and  now  of  Asa  P.  Pratt.  Pierson  m.  1758,  Elizabeth,  dau. 
of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Batchelder)  Nichols,  who  were  m.  1729. 
Pierson  succeeded  his  father-in-iaw,  Nichols,  on  this  place.  Mrs.  Pier- 
son  was  b.  1732,  and  she  had  a  sister  Abigail,  b.  1741,  who  m.  Timothy 
Hartshorn. 

Samuel  Pratt  succeeded  Pierson  ;  he  was  son  of  Dea.  Benjamin  and 
Abigail  (Hartshorn)  Pratt,  and  was  b.  1782.  He  m.  1805,  Lucinda 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


315 


Parker,  who  d.  in  1827.     Chil. :    Samuel,  Asa  P.  (his  successor),  Lu- 
cinda,  and  George  W. 

TIMOTHY  PRATT  (Senior)  lived  in  an  old  house  that  stood  on  the 
south  side  of  Wakefield  Street,  between  Charles  and  Haverhill  Streets. 
This  old  house  has  been  taken  down,  and  a  barn  stands  in  its  place. 

Timothy  was  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Pratt,  of  Wakefield  (see 
Early  Settlers),  and  his  family  was  the  first  family  of  Pratts  in  what  is 
now  Reading.  He  was  b.  in  1702,  and  d.  in  1789.  He  m.,  ist,  1724, 
Tabitha,  dau  of  John  and  Grace  Boutwell ;  she  d.  1737  ;  he  m.,  2d, 
1738,  Abigail;  she  d.  1776,  aged  72.  His  children  were:  Dorcas,  b. 
1725  ;  Timothy,  b.  1730  (see  after) ;  Tabitha,  b.  1734  ;  Abigail ;  Abi- 
gail, b.  1738;  Isaac,  b.  1740  (see  after) ;  and  Sarah,  b.  1744. 

Timothy,  Jr.,  settled  on  the  Charles  (late  Timothy)  Wakefield  place 
(see  after).  Isaac,  aforesaid,  b.  1740,  settled  in  an  old  house  that 
stood  near  the  house  now  or  lately  of  Nathan  P.  Pratt,  and  formerly  the 
James  Hartshorn  place. 

Isaac,  m.  1763,  Mehitabel,  dau.  of  Richard  and  Mary  (Williams) 
Nichols,  and  d.  1829.  His  children  were:  Lucy,  b.  1764;  Timothy, 
b.  1768  ;  William,  b.  1770;  Thomas,  b.  1771  ;  Sally  and  Abigail,  b. 
1774;  Thaddeus  B.,  b.  1777  ;  Polly,  b.  1780;  Loea,  b.  1785;  and 
Sukey,  b.  1788. 

Thaddeus  B.,  aforesaid,  m.,  ist,  1807,  Susan,  dau.  of  Col.  Nathan 
Parker,  and  m.,  2d,  1850,  Abby  S.  Watson,  and  d.  1858.  His  children 
were :  Abigail,  who  m.  Hon.  H.  P.  Wakefield ;  Louisa,  who  m. 
Stephen  Foster,  Esq. ;  Nathan  Parker,  who  m.  Louisa  Wakefield,  and 
succeeded  to  the  place. 

SAMUEL  PRATT  lived  on  Haverhill  Street,  on  the  place  lately  of  Dea. 
Benjamin  Pratt,  and  now  of  Herrick  Batchelder.  Samuel,  aforesaid,  was 
son  of  John  and  Sarah  Pratt,  and  brother  of  Timothy  (Senior),  afore- 
said ;  he  was  b.  1696,  and  m.  Joanna,  and  d.  1734;  was  a  blacksmith. 
His  children  were:  Joanna,  b.  1721;  Samuel,  b.  1719  (see  after); 
John,  b.  1723  ;  Mary,  b.  1727  ;  Sarah,  b.  1733  ;  Ephraim,  b.  1729,  and 
m.  Phebe,  went  to  North  Reading,  had  two  sons  and  nine  daughters, 
and  died  of  small-pox  in  the  Revolutionary  War  ;  Daniel,  b.  1725  (see 
after). 

Samuel,  aforesaid,  b.  1719,  succeeded  his  father ;  m.  Anna  Ireson,  of 
Marblehead,  but  had  no  children  ;  was  a  blacksmith,  and  occupied  the 
shop  of  his  father. 

Dea.  Benjamin,  a  son  of  Ephraim  and  Phebe,  aforesaid,  succeeded 
his  uncle  Samuel.  He  was  b.  1758,  and  m.,  ist,  in  1779,  Abigail,  dau. 
of  Timothy  and  Abigail  Hartshorn;  she  d.  1793;  m.,  2d,  1794,  Polly 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Smith,  and  he  d.  in  1843.     His  children  were  :  Abigail,  b.  1779  ;  Sam- 
uel, b.  1782,  and  settled   on  the  Asa  P.   Pratt  place;    Benjamin,  b. 
1786,  and  m.  1809,   Hannah  Weston,  and  d.   1833  ;  Phebe,  b.  1791  ; 
Amos,  b.  1789.     The  children  of  Benja.  and  Hannah  were:  Joseph  L 
and  Amelia  A. 

TIMOTHY  PRATT,  Jr.  (Deacon),  lived  on  Wakefield  Street,  on  the 
place  lately  of  Capt.  Timothy  Wakefield,  and  now  of  Charles  Wakefield. 

The  old  house  is  said  to  have  been  a  Weston  place. 

Timothy,  Jr.,  son  of  Timothy,  Sen.,  aforesaid,  was  born  1730  ;  m., 
ist,  in  1755,  Tabitha  Emerson,  and  m.,  2d,  1786,  Tabitha  Merrow,  and 
d.  1796,  without  issue. 

DANIEL  PRATT  lived  on  Haverhill  Street,  on  the  place  lately  of  Dea. 
David  Emerson,  and  now  of  Clinton  Emerson.  Daniel,  aforesaid, 
bought  the  place  of  John  Hartshorn,  who  removed  to  Lunenburg. 

Daniel  was  son  of  Samuel  and  Joanna  Pratt,  aforesaid,  and  grandson 
of  John  and  Sarah.  (See  Early  Settlers.)  He  was  b.  1725  ;  m.,  ist, 
Abigail  ;  she  d.  in  1771;  he  m.,  2d,  in  1773,  Ruth  Jones,  and  he  d. 
1796.  His  children  were  :  Abigail,  b.  1748;  Molly,  b.  1750;  Daniel, 
b.  1756  (see  after);  John,  b.  1757;  Sarah,  b.  1760;  Mehitabel,  b. 
1761  ;  Rebecca,  b.  1763  ;  Edward,  b.  1765,  and  m.  1792,  Asenath  Flint, 
and  went  to  Temple,  N.  H.  ;  Edmund,  b.  1768  ;  Eunice,  b.  1770. 

Daniel,  aforesaid,  b.  1756,  succeeded  to  the  place.  He  m.  1779, 
Elizabeth  Bancroft.  The  children  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  were : 
Daniel,  b.  1780,  and  m.  1801,  Betsey,  dau.  of  Simon  and  Mary  (Par- 
ker) Nichols;  Lizzie,  b.  1782  ;  Molly,  b.  1784  ;  and  Thomas,  b.  1798. 
He  sold  the  place  to  James  Weston,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Ruth  (Flint) 
Weston. 

Weston  was  b.  1763;  m.  1790,  Hannah  Bancroft,  dau.  of  Joseph  and 
Elizabeth  (Temple)  Bancroft,  and  d.  1830.  Chil.  :  Franklin,  who  in. 
1819,  Mary  Wiley,  and  d.  1869;  George,  b.  1799;  Hannah,  who  m. 
1809,  Benjamin  Pratt;  Susan,  b.  1-804;  and  perhaps  Clarissa. 

Dea.  David  Emerson  subsequently  bought  the  place.  Emerson  was 
the  son  of  David  and  Sarah  (Gowing)  Emerson  ;  was  b.  1787  ;  m.,  ist, 
1812,  Esther  Buxton,  and  2d,  1849,  Abigail  Young. 

Clinton  Emerson,  his  son,  succeeded,  and  the  place  is  now  owned 
by  his  heirs. 

EDWARD  RICHARDSON  lived  on  South  Street,  near  West  Street,  on 
the  place  now  owned  by  Hiel  J.  Nelson.  His  wife's  name  was  Jerusha. 
His  sons  were:  Edward,  b.  1743;  Zadoc,  b.  1739  ;  Jethro,  b.  1747, 
who  succeeded  to  the  place,  and  m.  1772,  Hannah  Richardson,  of  Wo- 
burn.  The  children  of  Jethro  were:  Jethro,  b.  1776,  andm.  1797,  Sally 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


317 


E.  Perkins,  and  d.  1821 ;  Eunice,  b.  1775,  and  m.  1795,  Jona.  Bancroft ; 
Esther,  b.  1778,  and  m.  1798,  Samuel  T.  Richardson ;  Hannah,  b. 
1780  ;  Lucy,  b.  1783  ;  Sally,  b.  1784,  and  m.  1810,  Amariah  Harnden, 
and  were  the  parents  of  William  F.  Harnden,  the  originator  of '-  Harn- 
den's  Express  ";  Catharine,  b.  1786,  and  m.  1811,  Dea.  Amos  Evans ; 
Olive,  b.  1790,  and  m.  1818,  Thomas  Sweetser,  Esq.  ;  Jepthah,  b.  1781, 
and  m.  1804,  Rebecca  Sweetser,  and  were  the  parents  of  Henry  G. 
Richardson,  Esq.,  now  of  Reading. 

The  old  house  has  been  taken  down,  and  a  new  one  erected  by  the 
present  occupant. 

THOMAS  SYMONDS  lived  on  Haverhill  Street,  on  the  place  now  owned 
by  his  grandson,  Eben  D.  Symonds.  Thomas  Symonds  bought  the 
place  of  Hebard  or  Herbert.  It  was  early  owned  by  a  family  of  South- 
wicks. 

Thomas,  aforesaid,  m.  1739,  Hannah,  dau.  of  Jonathan  and  Barbara 
(Elseley)  Parker;  she  d.  1768,  aged  52.  He  d.  1775,  aged  62. 
His  children  were:  Thomas,  b.  1745  (see  after)  ;  James,  b.  1755,  and 
m.  1776,  Susan  Mclntire;  Sarah  ;  and  Hannah,  who  d.  single. 

Thomas,  aforesaid,  b.  1745,  succeeded  to  the  place  ;  m.  1765,  Han- 
nah Damon.  His  children  were  :  Hannah,  b.  1767,  and  m.  Kendall 

Nichols,  and  went  to  Sharon;  Thomas,  b.   1775,  and  m. Pratt, 

and  went  to  New  Ipswich ;  Sarah,  b.  1770,  and  d.  single  ;  Polly,  b. 
1783,  and  m.  1811,  Nathaniel  Batchelder;  Obed,  b.  1778,  and  m. 
1801,  Abigail  Batchelder;  Ebenezer  D.,  b.  1786,  who  succeeded  to  the 
place,  m.  1817.  Rebecca  Batchelder,  who  d.  1830.  Eben  D.  has  been 
twice  married  since  the  death  of  his  first  wife. 

JEREMIAH  SWAIN  lived  on  High  Street,  on  the  lateTho.  Hartshorn's 
place,  now  owned  by  Wid.  Benjamin  M.  Hartshorn. 

Jeremiah,  aforesaid,  was  the  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Elizabeth  Swain, 
and  grandson  of  Maj.  Jeremiah,  of  Wakefield.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 
He  was  b.  1693  ;  m.  1715,  Sarah  Burnap,  and  d.  1799.  His  children 
were:  Jacob, b.  1717  (see  after);  Lydia,  m.  1753,  Thomas  Green,  of 
Wakefield;  Elizabeth,  b.  1728,  and  m.  1748,  Jonathan  Hartshorn,  of 
Wakefield  ;  Tabitha,  and  other  children. 

Jacob,  aforesaid,  b.  1717,  succeeded  to  the  place.  He  m.  1756, 
Hannah  Green  ;  Hannah,  Jacob,  and  Sally. 

Sally,  aforesaid,  b.  1777,  m.  1800,  Thomas  Hartshorn,  a  son  of  Ben- 
jamin and  Abigail  Hartshorn.-  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

Sally  and  her  husband  succeeded  to  the  place.  The  children  of 
Thomas  and  Sally  Hartshorn  were  :  Thomas,  b.  1802  ;  Jacob,  b.  1803  ; 
Sally,  b.  1804 ;  Nabby,  b.  1806  ;  Benjamin,  b.  1808,  and  m.  Sarah  E. 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Russell  (see  after);  Hannah,  b.  1813,  and  m.  J.  L.  Hunt;  Gilman,  b. 
1816  ;  Harriet,  b.  1820. 

Benjamin  and  Sarah  E.,  aforesaid,  had  a  son,  Benjamin  M.,  who 
m.  Hattie  Gould,  and  was  a  lawyer  of  much  promise,  and  d.  1867,  at 
the  age  of  28.  His  widow  now  owns  the  place. 

JACOB  TOWNSEND  lived  on  West  Street,  near  Wilmington  line,  on  the 
place  lately  of  Timothy,  and  now  of  James  Bancroft. 

Jacob  Townsend  was  the  son,  probably,  of  John  and  Tabitha 
(Damon)  Townsend,  and  b.  1729.  It  is  said  that  he  succeeded  his 
grandfather  on  this  place.  He  m.  1763,  Elizabeth  Bancroft,  and  had 
no  issue. 

JONATHAN  TEMPLE  lived  on  Summer  Street,  on  the  place  lately  of 
Mark  M.  Temple,  and  now  of  Oscar  Foote.  He  was  a  deacon  ;  son 
of  Richard  and  Deborah  Temple,  b.  1699.  (See  Early  Settlers.)  He 
bought  land  of  John  Boutwell,  on  the  west  side  of  the  street,  and 
settled  where  Mr.  Foote's  house  now  stands.  He  d.  1789,  aged  90. 

JONATHAN  TEMPLE  (Lieut.)  lived  on  Summer  Street,  on  the  place 
now  owned  by  Wm.  Hawes. 

John,  aforesaid,  was  the  son  of  Richard  and  Deborah,  b.  1704.  (See 
Early  Settlers.)  He  succeeded  his  father  on  the  old  place,  which  his 
father  bought  of  James  Pike,  in  1696.  His  son  William,  b.  1745, 
succeeded  to  the  place,  and  m.  1778,  Rebecca  Weston.  The  children 
of  Wm.  and  Rebecca  were  :  Rebecca,  b.  1769,  who  m.  John,  son  of 
Dea.  John  Temple  ;  William,  b.  1773,  who  m.  in  1800,  Zervia  Richard- 
son. Rebecca  and  William  died  before  their  father,  and  the  place 
descended  to  Wm.,  son  of  Wm.,  and  to  the  children  of  Rebecca. 

JOHN  TEMPLE  (Deacon)  lived  on  West  Street,  on  the  place  late  of 
Richard  Temple  and  subsequently  of  Aaron  Temple,  now  of  Abram  G. 
R.  Hale,  Esq.  Deacon  John  Temple  was  the  son  of  Lt.  John  and 
Rebecca,  b.  1738,  and  d.  1821.  (See  Early  Settlers.)  He  succeeded 
his  father  and  grandfather  on  the  old  homestead,  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  son  Richard,  who  was  b.  1770,  m.  1795,  Hannah,  dau.  of  Simeon 
and  Mary  Nichols  ;  she  d.  1826,  and  he  m.,  2d,  Fanny  Beard.  Children 
(by  Hannah) :  Richard,  Amos,  Aaron,  and  Hannah,  who  m.  James 
Nichols.  His  son,  Aaron,  now  owns  the  place. 

ISAAC  WESTON  lived  on  West  Street,  on  the  place  lately  of  Capt. 
Abijah  Weston  and  now  of  Chas.  A.  Weston.  Isaac,  aforesaid,  was 
the  son  of  Stephen  and  Sarah  (Townsend)  Weston,  and  grandson  of 
John  and  Sarah  (see  Early  Settlers);  was  b.  1699,  and  succeeded  his 
father  on  this  place.  He  m.  1727,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  John  and  Sarah 
Pratt.  His  sons  were:  John,  b.  1731,  and  m.  Mary  Atwood  and 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


319 


settled  on  a  part  of  the  place,  in  an  old  house  that  stood  where  R.  F. 
Gray's  house  now  stands  ;  Jabez,  b.  1741,  m.  1767,  Anna  Weston.  He 
settled  on  a  part  of  the  farm  and  built  the  house,  afterward  owned  by 
his  son  Jabez,  and  now  by  his  grandson,  L.  E.  Weston.  Jabez  (Sen.), 
d.  1795,  and  his  vvid.  d.  1808;  Abijah,  b.  1737,  m.  1764,  Eunice 
Weston,  and  settled  on  the  old  homestead;  he  d.  1776.  His  son, 
Capt.  Abijah,  b.  1768,  succeeded  his  father  on  the  homestead,  m. 
1790,  Anna  Buck.  He  d.  1854,  and  his  wid.  d.  1858,  aged  93. 
Charles  A.  Weston,  a  grandson  of  Capt.  Abijah,  now  owns  the  place. 

JOHN  WESTON  lived  on  West  Street,  on  the  place  now  owned  by  R. 
F.  Gray.  He  was  the  son  of  Isaac,  aforesaid,  grandson  of  Stephen, 
and  great-grandson  of  John  and  Sarah.  (See  First  Settlers.)  He 
was  b.  1731,  and  m.  Mary  Atwood,  of  Woburn.  His  children  were: 
James;  Molly,  b.  1767,  and  m.  1789,  Ephraim  Weston;  John,  b.  1770, 
and  m.  1794,  Polly  Pratt,  of  Maiden,  and  succeeded  to  the  place,  and 
d.  1849.  He  was  father  of  Isaac  Weston,  now  of  Reading. 

JOHN  WESTON,  Jr.,  lived  on  Main  Street,  on  the  place  lately  of  David 
Weston  and  now  of  Isaac  G.  Wellington.  John,  Jr.,  aforesaid,  and  his 
brother  James,  lived  here  in  1865.  They  were  sons  of  Benja.  and 
Eunice  (Upham)  Weston,  grandsons  of  John  and  Mary  (Bryant) 
Weston,  and  great-grandsons  of  John  and  Sarah.  (See  Early  Settlers  ) 

James,  aforesaid,  b.  1733,  m.  «775,  Lucy  Damon,  and  had  children, 
viz.:  Lucy,  b.  1778;  Wyman,  b.  1776;  Nancy,  b.  1780;  John,  Jr., 
aforesaid,  b.  1736,  m.  1765,  Joanna  Weston  ;  she  d.  1775  ;  and  he  m., 
2d,  in  1776,  Martha  Farmer,  and  she  d.  1827,  aged  79.  Children  by 
istwife:  John  (Esq.),  b.  1768  (see  after);  Joanna,  b.  1772  ;  James, 
b.  1776.  Children  by  2d  wife:  Lettis,  b.  1782,  and  m.  1800,  Wm. 
Lewis;  David,  b.  1778,  and  m.  1813,  Lucinda  Boutwell,  of  Amherst, 
N.  H.,  and  succeeded  his  father  on  the  place.  A  son  of  David  and 
Lucinda,  David  F.,  succeeded,  occupied  the  place  a  few  years,  and  sold 
to  I.  G.  Wellington,  the  present  occupant. 

JONATHAN  WESTON  lived  on  Main  Street,  near  Stoneham  line,  on  the 
place  now  of  Jonathan  Moulton.  He  was  the  son  (probably)  of 
Ephraim  and  Mary  (Pool)  Weston,  grandson  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth, 
and  great-grandson  of  John  and  Sarah.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

He  was  born  1731,  m.  1753,  Ruth  Flint,  and  d.  1794;  his  widow 
died  the  same  year ;  he  at  the  age  of  63,  and  she  at  the  age  of  64 . 
Their  children  were:  Jonathan,  b.  1757,  and  settled  on  the  place  now 
of  S.  S.  Crouch;  Samuel,  b.  1761,  and  settled  in  Rowley;  James,  b. 
1763,  and  settled  on  the  place  now  of  Clinton  Emerson;  Ephraim, 
settled  on  the  place  now  of  Clifford  Weston,  his  grandson  ;  Lois,  m. 


320 


GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 


1794,  David  Flint;  Amos,  settled  on  the  old  place  for  a  time,  then 
sold  to  Wm.  Lewis,  and  removed,  in  1804,  to  Manchester,  N.  H.  His 
son,  Amos,  Jr.,  has  been  long  a  prominent  man  in  the  city  of  Manches- 
ter, and  his  grandson,  James  A.,  has  been  for  several  years  mayor  of 
the  city,  and  is  now  (1871)  Governor  of  the  State. 

The  old  house  has  since  been  owned  and  occupied  by  Wm.  Lewis 
and  James  Leathe,  and  is  the  residence,  at  present,  of  Jonathan 
Moulton,  aforesaid. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  321 


CHAPTER    IX. 


.  SOUTH    READING. 

THE  First  Parish  was  separated  from  the  town  of  Reading  and  incor- 
porated as  a  distinct  town  in  the  year  1812. 

The  causes  that  induced  the  First  Parish,  the  oldest  and  largest 
settlement,  thus  to  separate  from  her  younger  sisters,  to  forego  in  part 
the  prestige  and  charm  of  its  time-honored  name,  and  to  surrender  all 
its  ancient  and  valued  archives  and  records  and  other  municipal  prop- 
erty, were  principally  political  ones.  The  town  of  Reading  at  that 
time  consisted  of  three  distinct  parishes,  namely :  — 

The  First,  or  South,  then  called  the  "  Old  Parish";  the  North,  then 
usually  called  the  "  Precinct,"  and  the  West,  often  called  the  "  Wood 
End,"  and  now  constituting  the  three  towns  of  Reading,  Wakefield, 
and  North  Reading.  The  South  Parish  were  then  almost  unanimously 
of  the  Democratic  Republican  party;  while  the  other  two  parishes, 
with  similar  unanimity,  were  of  the  Federal  party ;  and  although  the 
South  Parish  was  the  largest  of  the  three  in  population,  yet  it  was  not 
equal  to  the  other  two.  Party  spirit  ran  high  in  those  days ;  war  with 
England  had  just  been  declared ;  the  Republican  party  were  in  favor 
of  Madison  and  the  war  ;  the  Federalists  were  opposed  to  both  ;  polit- 
ical party  lines  were  drawn  closely;  prejudices  were  strong  —  stronger 
than  we  have  ever  known  them  since. 

Mr.  John  Damon,  a  man  of  wealth  and  position,  of  the  West  Parish, 
long  since  dead,  was  heard  to  say,  at  that  time,  "  that  if  he  were  drafted 
and  obliged  to  fight,  he  would  commence  his  bloody  work  at  the  '  Old 
Parish,'  for  he  deemed  its  inhabitants  far  worse  than  the  British." 

On  the  other  hand,  Cornelius  Sweetser,  then  a  venerable  citizen  of 
the  South  Parish,  and  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  in  speaking  of  the 
Federalists,  said,  "  Federalists,  they  all  ought  to  be  damned,  —  except 
some  few  of  his  acquaintance,  who  did  not  know  enough." 

The  consequence  of  this  state  of  feeling  was,  that  the  leading  men  of 
the  South  Parish,  being  mainly  of  the  Republican  party,  were  excluded 
from  public  office  altogether.  For  if,  as  was  sometimes  the  case,  a 
resident  of  the  South  Parish  was  elected  to  important  office,  it  was  a 
Federal  resident,  who  was  chosen  by  the  votes  of  the  other  parishes, 


322 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


and  was  not  the  choice  of  the  people  of  the  South  Parish.  Under  this 
exclusive  system  it  was  that  Capt.  James  Gould  and  Hay  Nichols,  Esq., 
gentlemen  of  respectability  and  capacity,  for  that  matter,  but  of  the 
Federal  clique,  were,  with  one  single  exception  for  one  single  year,  the 
constant  members  of  the  board  of  selectmen  for  many  years.  And  only 
twice  in  a  period  of  thirty-three  years,  next  before  the  separation,  was 
the  South  Parish  permitted  to  have  a  Representative  to  the  General 
Court,  and  then  in  both  instances  it  was  a  Federalist,  viz.  :  Hay 
Nichols,  Esq.,  in  1805,  and  Adam  Hawkes,  Esq.,  in  1811. 

This  state  of  things,  of  course,  did  not  suit  the  feelings  of  the  ambi- 
tious and  aspiring  spirits  of  the  South  Parish  ;  and  taking  advantage  of 
the  opportunity,  when  the  Republicans  were  in  power  and  Gerry  was 
chief  magistrate,  they  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  charter  for  a  distinct 
town. 

We  shall  now  give  a  description  of  the  South  Parish  at  the  time  and 
about  the  time  that  it  was  incorporated  as  the  town  of  "  South  Read- 
ing" (1812);  shall  show  how  it  looked  to  us,  when  we  first  stepped 
forth  and  rambled  upon  its  pleasant  hills  and  vales  and  dewy  meads, 
traversed  its  narrow  ways,  caught  alewives  and  tortoises  in  its  rivers 
and  streams,  bathed  and  fished  in  its  lovely  lakes,  and  sailed  or 
skated  upon  its  wavy  or  glassy  surfaces  ;  describe  some  of  the  principal 
public  buildings  and  dwelling-houses  then  standing,  and  give  brief 
sketches  of  some  of  the  leading  families  and  influential  citizens,  who 
then  controlled  the  social,  civil,  ecclesiastical,  political,  and  industrial 
interests  of  the  town  ;  and  so  present  a  sort  of  polyoramic  view  of  the 
place  as  it  looked  at  that  time. 

In  the  first  place,  in  endeavoring  to  show  how  the  place  then  looked, 
and  what  it  then  was,  let  us  say  how  it  did  not  look,  and  how  it  was  not. 
It  had  no  post-office,  its  letters  being  received  and  mailed  at  the  Boston 
post-office.  It  received  no  daily  papers,  weekly  and  semi-weekly  only. 
It  had  no  daily  or  weekly  stage  to  and  from  Boston  ;  some  attempts 
had  several  times  been  previously  made  to  sustain  such  an  institution, 
weekly  at  least,  but  they  were  weakly  supported,  and  were  soon  discon- 
tinued. We  have  a  traditional  line  or  two,  respecting  one  of  these 
stage  lines,  that  it  ran  once  or  twice  a  week  to  and  from  Boston,  for  a 
short  time,  and  the  coach  was  said  to  be  of  a  somewhat  unique  pattern, 
being  circular  in  shape1,  something  like  a  modern  cab ;  and  partly  on 
account  of  its  form,  and  partly  on  account  of  its  hailing  from  "  Bean- 
Town,"  as  Reading  had  long  been  nicknamed,  from  the  fact,  it  is  said, 
that  at  the  ordination  of  their  early  pastors,  the  main  article  of  food 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


323 


was  baked  beans,  soaked  in  Reading  Great  Pond, — the  coach,  for  these 
reasons,  was  called  the  "  Reading  Bean-Pot."  This  coach  was  stopping 
one  day  in  the  street,  at  Charlestown,  waiting  for  a  passenger  (it  will 
be  recollected  that  Charlestown,  from  time  immemorial,  has  been  called 
"Pig-Town"),  and  while  thus  Waiting,  a  Charlestown  drayman  came 
along  and  hallooed  to  our  driver,  saying,  "  Get  out  of  the  way  with 
your  old  "  Bean-pot  I"  —  "  Hold  on,"  said  the  driver,  "  I  'm  only  waiting 
to  take  in  my  pork ." 

The  Boston  weekly  and  semi-weekly  newspapers  were  left  by  the 
publishers  at  the  toll-house  on  Charlestown  Bridge,  and  it  was  consid- 
ered the  duty  of  the  person  first  returning  from  Boston,  to  take  the 
papers  for  South  Reading  and  leave  them  at  one  of  the  stores  for 
distribution.  This  was  the  custom  for  several  years ;  there  were  no 
railroad  giants  in  those  days. 

There  were  then  but  about  sixteen  public  roads  in  South  Reading, 
against  a  hundred  or  more  at  the  present  time.  There  was  then  but 
one  single  street,  opening  or  leading  from  Main  Street  westerly,  from 
the  north  end  of  Reading  Pond  to  Maiden  line  ;  and  opening  or  lead- 
ing easterly  there  were  but  three  within  the  same  limits.  These  streets 
were  generally  narrow,  crooked,  poorly  graded,  and  without  sidewalks, 
except  for  a  short  distance  on  one  side  of  Salem  Street,  from  the  corner 
of  Main  Street  to  the  Baptist  meeting-house,  that  stood  where  Sylvanus 
Clark  has  recently  bought  of  T.  R.  P.  Hood.  There  was  no  town  hall, 
town-meetings  being  held  in  the  Centre  school-house ;  and  in  contested 
questions,  they  polled  the  house  out-of-doors.  There  was  no  public  library. 
But  let  us  speak  affirmatively.  The  number  of  inhabitants  of  South 
Reading  was  then  about  800.  The  valuation  of  all  the  real  and 
personal  estate  of  the  town,  as  estimated  by  the  first  board  of  assessors, 
viz.  John  Gould,  James  Gould,  and  Benjamin  Badger,  Senior,  was 
then  $100,000,  not  so  much  as  some  single  individuals  among  us  are 
now  valued.  The  whole  amount  of  money  raised  in  1812,  for  all 
State,  county,  and  town  expenses,  was  $1,500,  and  the  rate  of  taxation 
was  one  and  one  sixth  per  cent. 

The  solid  men  of  the  town  at  that  time  were  :  — 

John  Hart,  Esq.,  the  heaviest,  whose  tax  was     .         .  $50  oo 
John  Sweetser,      next     "  "  "  .         .     37  oo 

Jeremiah  Green,       "       "  "  "  .  24  oo 

Lilley  Eaton,  «       «  "          "          .  20  oo 

Adam  Hawkes,  1 

John  Rayner,       >  each 19  oo 

Noah  Smith, 
And  so  down.     Sum  raised  the  same  year  for  schools,  $300. 


324 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


The  Common  was  then  unfenced  and  ungraded ;  an  open  ditch  ex- 
tended through  one  portion  of  it,  and  in  the  central  part  of  it  was  a 
hollow,  or  basin,  partially  filled  with  stones,  tin  chips,  and  other  debris, 
in  which  the  water  stood  at  some  seasons  of  the  year,  and  where  in 
the  winter  was  quite  a  skating-park ;  this  basin  was  called  "  Ken's 
Pond,"  so  named  from  Robert  Ken,  an  early  settler,  who  came  here 
from  Salem,  about  the  year  1680,  and  built  a  blacksmith's  shop  on  the 
westerly  side  of  it.  There  were  then  but  three  trees,  that  we  remember, 
on  the  Common  :  two  ancient  oaks,  with  huge  trunks,  whose  tops  had 
been  broken  and  dismantled  by  the  blasts  of  centuries,  and  one  majes- 
tic elm.  One  of  the  oaks  stood  by  the  side  of  the  road,  near  the  corner 
of  Main  and  Crescent  Streets,  and  the  other  stood  near  where  now 
stands  the  Union  flag-staff;  and  both  of  them,  in  our  youth,  were  the 
goals  of  the  play-ground,  the  trysting-place  of  young  men  and  maidens, 
and  from  both  of  them  have  we  seen,  hanging  in  effigy,  public  charac- 
ters, whose  acts  had  rendered  them  obnoxious  to  the  populace.  These 
oaks  were  subsequently  cut  down  by  order  of  the  town.  The  great  elm 
stood  near  the  new  high  school-house,  near  where  a  smaller  one  now 
flourishes,  and  was  prostrated  by  the  memorable  gale  of  1815. 

A  tall  "  Liberty  Pole "  had  long  stood  a  few  rods  westerly  of  the 
Bryant  house  ;  it  was  not  planted  in  the  ground,  as  is  the  present  custom, 
but  was  supported  by  long  braces  and  transverse  sleepers ;  and  from 
its  top,  on  training-days  and  other  holidays,  proudly  floated  that  glorious 
ensign  that  we  then  learned  to  admire  and  love.  This  pole  was  blown 
down  on  the  memorable  cold  Friday  of  1810. 

A  few  rods  south  of  where  the  old  town-house  long  stood,  there 
stood  the  Centre  school-house.  It  was  erected  in  1799,  was  28  feet 
long  by  24  feet  wide,  with  a  porch  ;  against  its  north  side  stood  Bryant's 
hay-scales,  built  with  a  heavy  and  high  frame,  from  which  the  loads  of 
hay  were  suspended,  in  weighing,  by  iron  chains.  This  old  school- 
house  is  associated  in  our  memory  with  pictures  bright  and  glowing. 
As  we  recall  our  school-day  connection  with  it,  visions  of  the  olden  time 
arise  before  us  in  images  vivid,  brilliant,  charming  —  but  dissolving 
soon  away  in  shadows  and  sadness  ;  the  old  masters :  Swain,  with  his 
perforated  ferule,  nervous,  trembling,  but  faithful  and  assiduous  ;  Scott, 
majestic  and  morose  ;  Reed,  the  cruel  and  severe  ;  Willey,  the  witty, 
vivacious,  and  well-beloved  ;  Merrill,  the  sedate  and  good,  afterwards 
minister  of  Dracut ;  Fiske,  the  grammarian  ;  Haines,  the  eloquent  and 
humorous,  who  delivered  a  patriotic  oration  in  the  Congregational 
church  in  1815,  on  the  occasion  of  celebrating  the  return  of  peace,  and 
who  was  afterwards  Attorney-General  of  New  York ;  and  our  early 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


325 


female  teachers,  Sarah  Boardrnan  (afterwards  Mrs.  Yale),  gentle  nnd 
attractive,  but  faithful  and  thorough  in  her  instruction  and  discipline  ; 
Rebecca  Boardman,  her  sister  (afterwards  Mrs.  Long),  not  less  faithful 
and  thorough,  but  more  stringent  and  severe  ;  that  company  of  my  co- 
temporary  schoolmates,  the  oWer  and  the  younger,  the  male  and  the 
female,  the  manly,  the  brave,  the  beautiful  and  the  lovely,  some  still ' 
living,  but  more  gone  into  darkness  ;  all  these,  with  a  thousand  stirring 
recollections,  come  thronging  around  us,  as  we  look  back  into  that  old 
seat  of  the  Muses  ;  but  with  them  comes  the  Eolian  refrain  :  — 

"  Days  of  our  youth,  ye  have  passed  away." 

Near  the  site  of  their  present  church  stood  the  old  Congregational 
meeting-house.  This  house  was  erected  in  1768,  was  a  large,  unpainted 
edifice,  with  a  porch  at  one  end,  and  a  tower  and  tall,  slim  spire,  with 
a  weather-cock,  at  the  other.  Its  front  door  was  on  one  side,  and 
opened  to  the  south.  At  the  time  referred  to,  it  was  very  much  out  of 
repair ;  its  clapboards  were  loose  and  falling,  and  afforded  to  the  Yan- 
kee schoolboys  a  fine  source  for  whittling  material  for  darts,  arrows 
etc.  (For  a  more  particular  account  of  this  old  house,  see  the  year 
1768.) 

The  Baptist  meeting-house  then  stood  on  Salem  Street,  as  we  have 
said,  near  where  Sylvanus  Clark  now  lives  ;  was  not  a  large  building  ; 
was  erected  in  1800,  removed  to  the  Common  in  1820,  and  enlarged, 
and  in  1835  was  consumed  by  fire.  (For  further  account  of  this  edifice, 
see  Chapter  IV.)  '*'• 

As  we  remember  these  two  religious  societies,  when  we  first  came 
upon  the  stage  of  observation,  there  existed  on  the  one  side  a  strong 
spirit  of  intolerance,  and  on  both  sides  a  vast  deal  of  sectarian  preju- 
dice, which  were  not  productive  of  that  Christian  union  where  hatred  is 
conquered  by  love,  and  of  that  charity  that  hopeth  and  believeth  all 
things.  Perhaps  this  state  of  things  was  not  strange  ;  for  it  was  not 
easy  for  a  society,  which  had  held  unrestrained  and  unopposed  influence 
over  the  parochial  affairs  of  the  village  for  more  than  a  century  and  a 
half,  to  look  with  complacency  upon  the  efforts  of  a  young  and  rising 
organization,  whose  sentiments  they  considered  heterodox,  and  whose 
increase  would  be  their  decrease ;  and  this  at  a  time  when  the  princi- 
ples of  perfect  toleration  and  entire  religious  liberty  had  not  become 
so  universal  as  at  the  present  day ;  hence  there  was  much  denomina- 
tional war  and  sectarian  exclusiveness  in  those  days ;  our  good  fathers 
not  realizing  that,  in  matters  of  faith  and  belief,  any  new  sect  is  like 
the  camomile  plant,  —  the  more  you  press  it  down,  the  faster  and  wider 


326  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

it  will  spread.  We  rejoice  that,  at  the  present  time,-these  two  societies, 
and  all  our  religious  societies,  canst  and  unmolested  upon  the  same 
plane  of  equal  rights  and  equal  brotherhood. 

Near  the  site  of  the  old  town-house  stood  a  small,  low  shop, 
occupied  by  Jeremiah  Bryant,  then  and  long  afterwards  the  village 
blacksmith.  Near  it,  a  little  farther  west,  was  the  gate  of  the  old  burial- 
ground.  This  was  the  first  burial-place  in  which  the  early  settlers  of 
the  town  were  interred  ;  at  that  time  (1812)  the  grave-stones,  such  as  had 
not  been  broken  down,  were  still  standing  at  the  graves  to  which  they 
respectively  belonged  ;  they  have  since  been  entirely  removed,  and  the 
space  they  occupied  has  become  a  portion  of  the  public  park.  The 
oldest  date  upon  these  monuments  was  that  of  Capt.  Jonathan  Poole, 
who  died  in  1678  ;  and  the  latest  date  was  that  of  Joshua  Gould,  who 
died  in  1772,  with  this  inscription:  — 

"  Not  four  years  old  before  he  found 
A  wat'ry  grave,  where  he  was  drowned." 

Tradition  says  this  was  the  last  burial  made  in  this  old  yard. 

A  1  ttle  west  of  this  burial-ground  gate  stood  the  small  engine  house, 
owned  by  the  "  Republican  Extinguisher  "  Engine  Company,  who  once 
a  month  came  out,  in  a  uniform  of  short  white  frocks  and  white  overalls, 
made  of  Russia  sheeting,  and  worked  their  tub  at  the  pump  on  the 
Common,  by  hand  power ;  and,  after  returning  to  their  house,  they  put 
on  steam  power,  and  often  poured  out  a  fiery  stream  that  kindled  such 
a  flame  of  social  enthusiasm  as  the  little  "Republican  Extinguisher" 
could  not  easily  subdue. 

On  the  easterly  side  of  the  Common,  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by 
the  brick  house  of  Ebenezer  Wiley,  was  the  town  pound,  in  rear  of 
which  was  Eaton's  frog  pond,  where  the  boys  in  winter  learned  to  skate. 
A  few  rods  southerly  of  the  pound  stood  Rayner's  bake-house,  after- 
wards made  into  a  store,  where  "  Burnham  &  Rayner,"  "  Gardner  & 
Hartshorn,"  and  others,  successively  traded,  and  which  was  burnt  a  few 
years  since.  The  next  building  south  was  the  house  of  Capt.  Archibald 
Smith,  then  nearly  new ;  and  then  farther  south  was  the  house  of  Capt. 
Noah  Smith,  which  is  still  standing  on  land  farther  east.  At  the  mouth 
of  what  is  now  Crescent  Street  was  then  a  gate,  opening  into  a  narrow 
private  lane  leading  to  the  house  of  Dea.  Jacob  Eaton  ;  the  antique 
building,  long  standing  at  the  corner  of  Crescent  and  Eaton  Streets, 
and  recently  taken  down  to  give  place  to  the  residence  of  Daniel 
Allen,  Esq. 

North  of  the  said  gate,  the  next  building  was  Jeremiah  Bryant's  house, 


THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


327 


then  not  half  as  large  as  now  ;  and  then,  next  north,  near  where  is  now 
the  house  of  Joseph  G.  Savage,  stood  the  old  Gould  mansion,  which 
was  built  and  once  used  for  a  malt-house,  and  now  taken  down.  On 
the  opposite  side  of  the  Common  were  the  Prentiss  house,  now  removed  ; 
a  small  tin-ware  shop  ;  the  old  Tavern  house,  that  stood  just  north  of 
where  is  now  Emerson's  shoe  factory,  and  now  removed ;  the  house  of 
Daniel  Sweetser,  afterwards  the  residence  of  Burrage  Yale,  Esq.,  and 
now  of  C.  H.  Stearns  ;  the  house  of  Tho.  Bryant,  now  owned  by  Edw'd 
Mansfield,  Esq. ;  the  house  of  Aaron  Bryant,  then  a  small,  low  build- 
ing ;  the  old  Rayner  house,  now  removed,  that  stood  where  is  now  Mrs. 
Dr.  Brown's  garden  ;  Samuel  Wiley's  house,  that  stood  in  place  of  one 
not  long  before  burnt,  on  what  is  now  the  southerly  corner  of  Main  and 
Albion  Streets  ;  and  an  old  house  belonging  to  Cornelius  Sweetser  and 
others,  where  are  now  the  house  of  S.  O.  Richardson  and  the  Quanna- 
powitt  House,  formerly  so  called. 

There  were  then  on  the  Common,  on  all  sides,  between  Salem  Street 
and  Water  Street,  thirteen  dwelling-houses,  only  four  of  which  now  look 
as  they  did  at  that  time,  the  residue  having  been  either  demolished,  or 
so  altered  as  to  be  entirely  different  buildings  ;  the  four  that  still  look 
as  they  then  looked  are  the  following:  Late  Wid.  Eunice  Eaton's,  late 
Archibald  Smith's,  late  Noah  Smith's,  and  late  Tho.  Bryant's. 

There  were  then  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  dwelling-houses 
in  South  Reading ;  and  of  the  owners  and  occupants  thereof  we  pro- 
pose to  give  some  sketches,  genealogical  and  biographical,  touching 
lightly  and  briefly,  as  delicacy  requires,  upon  those  who  are  still  living ; 
with  some  historical  description  of  many  of  these  places  of  residence. 

MAIN  STREET. 

LEMUEL  TILESTON  lived  on  the  place  recently  occupied  by  the  late 
Wm.  Stimpson,  Senior.  His  immediate  predecessor  was  Silas  Penni- 
man,  a  Boston  trader,  who  occupied  it  a  few  years.  It  was  the  ancient 
homestead  of  the  Woodward  family.  (See  Early  Settlers.)  It  subse- 
quently became  the  property  of  Thomas  Stimpson,  who  occupied  it  in 
1795.  Mr.  Tileston  removed  to  this  place  from  Boston  about  1810  or 
'12  ;  was  a  retired  trader  ;  was  fond  of  horses ;  kept  a  sort  of  public 
house  ;  had  children,  of  whom  Lemuel  became  a  wealthy  and  honored 
merchant  in  New  York  city,  and  William,  who  was  also  a  merchant  in 
New  York.  Mr.  Tileston  lived  on  the  place  but  a  few  years,  when  it 
passed  into  the  hands  of  the  late  Wm.  Stimpson,  whose  heirs,  we 
believe,  owned  it  in  1868. 


328 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


JOSHUA  BURNHAM  and  THOMAS  MELBURN  owned  and  occupied  the 
house  now  occupied  by  Geo.  W.  Stimpson.  It  was  occupied  in  1795 
by  Thos.  Stimpson,  Jr.  Joseph  Burnham  was  son  of  Col.  Joshua  and 
Lois  Burnham,  and  was  b.  1785,  in  Lynnfield ;  married  Ruth,  dau.  of 
Tho.  and  Ruth  Emerson  ;  chil. :  Joseph,  James  H.,  and  several  daugh- 
ters. Thomas  Melburn  married  Abigail,  sister  of  Joseph  Burnham, 
aforesaid,  and  d.  in  Danvers.  Mr.  Melburn  had  some  peculiar  traits 
of  character ;  he  was  very  intelligent,  fond  of  reading,  was  well  posted 
in  history  and  general  knowledge,  was  a  true  patriot,  honest,  capable, 
social,  generous  ;  but  he  possessed  unbounded  vanity,  disliked  labor, 
could  talk  large,  but  lacked  the  disposition  to  execute,  and  loved,  "  not 
wisely  but  too  well,"  the  stimulating  glass.  He  was  a  soldier  and 
officer  in  the  war  of  1812,  but  was  not  particularly  eminent  for  brave 
deeds ;  his  children  have  his  virtues  without  his  faults. 

JAMES  GOULD  lived  on  the  place  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Dr. 
Francis  P.  Hurd.  It  was  occupied  in  1795,  by  Sarah,  wid.  of  Samuel 
Edes,  of  Charlestown,  who  sold  to  James  Gould,  aforesaid.  It  was  the 
former  homestead  of  John  Brown,  Esq.,  an  early  settler.  (See  Early 
Settlers.)  It  was  sold  by  said  Gould's  heirs  to  Capt.  Aaron  Foster, 
who  occupied  it  several  years,  planted  the  fine  orchards  thereon,  and 
sold  it  to  the  present  owner.  James  Gould  was  son  of  William  and 
Hepzibeth  (Smith)  Gould,  and  grandson  of  Major  Gould,  of  Ipswich. 
He  was  b.  1760;  m.  1786,  Rebecca,  dau.  of  Dr.  John  Aborn,  of  Lynn- 
field,  and  d.  1830,  aged  70.  He  was  captain  in  the  militia,  selectman 
of  Reading  many  years,  and  one  of  the  first  board  of  selectmen  of 
South  Reading. 

Capt.  Gould  was  of  tall  and  majestic  personal  appearance,  of  intelli- 
gence, judgment,  and  integrity ;  moderate  and  considerate  in  thinking 
and  in  acting  ;  but  what  he  lacked  in  energy  he  made  up  in  persever- 
ance and  tenacity.  He  was  slow  to  begin,  and  just  as  slow  to  leave  off; 
late  to  commence  a  day's  work,  but  disposed  to  work  on  into  the  even- 
ing ;  a  frequent  speaker  in  municipal  meetings,  and  as  such  was  earnest 
and  argumentative  ;  and  when  he  had  a  special  object  to  accomplish  he 
was  pertinacious  and  unyielding ;  so  that  the  town,  in  such  cases,  like 
the  girl  with  a  resolute  lover,  was  often  "  obliged  to  take  him  to  get  rid 
of  him."  In  one  sense,  at  least,  he  was  wicked,  for  "  when  he  borrowed 
he  returned  not" ;  and  his  apology  was  "that  it  was  trouble  enough  to 
go  after  a  borrowed  article  without  that  of  carrying  it  back."  His  chil- 
dren were:  James,  b.  1790,  and  m.  Miss  Healy,  and  settled  in  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  where  he  recently  died  ;  Frederick,  b.  1792,  resided  in 
Cambridge,  was  president  of  the  Blackstone  National  Bank  of  Boston, 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


329 


was  also  one  of  the  aldermen  of  Boston,  etc.  ;  Samuel,  b.  1796  ;  was 
a  trader  in  Boston,  and  a  selectman  in  South  Reading,  and  d.  1866  ; 
Caroline,  who  m.  John  Stow,  and  is  now  dead  ;  Emily,  who  was  the 
wife  of  Jonas  Cowdrey,  Esq.,  of  Wakefield,  and  d.  in  1868;  Harriet, 
who  m.  the  late  Eben  Avery,  Esq.,  was  mother  of  Loriette  Avery,  and 
is  now  dead  ;  and  other  children  who  d.  young. 

ELEAZER  BAKER  lived  in  the  house  recently  occupied  by  John  White, 
Senior,  and  more  recently  removed  to  Prospect  Hill.  Mr.  Baker  was 
a  carpenter,  lived  there  but  a  short  time,  and  then  removed  from  town. 
John  White,  Senior,  soon  after  bought  it,  and  occupied  it  until  his 
death.  In  1795,  it  was  owned  by  the  heirs  of  John  Nichols,  who  re- 
moved to  Salem.  It  was  formerly  the  homestead  of  Dr.  Thomas 
Stimpson,  and  subsequently  of  John  Pratt.  John  Brown,  a  noted 
dealer  in  horses,  called  "Jockey  John,"  preceded  Mr.  Baker.  This 
John  Brown  was  grandfather  of  Caleb  D.  Brown,  of  Reading,  who  was 
drowned  while  bathing  in  the  lake  a  few  years  since. 

CHARLES  NICHOLS  then  occupied  the  small  house  since  owned  by 
Mrs.  Henry  Gray.  His  chil.  were  :  Charles,  Alpheus,  Charity,  and 
perhaps  others.  Thomas,  perhaps  a  brother  of  Charles,  lived  here, 
and  was  insane.  They  long  since  removed  to  Salem,  and  elsewhere. 
The  house  was  formerly  a  part  of  the  estate  of  John  Nichols  afore- 
said. 

THOMAS  CLEMENT  lived  in  the  mansion  and  on  the  farm  now  owned 
and  occupied  by  Lucius  Beebe,  Esq.     He  had  long  been  a  sea-faring 
man  and  naval  commander.     Capt.  Clement  was  at  this  time  "home- 
ward bound  "  on  the  voyage  of  life,  and  was  nearing  port.     He  was, 
however,  a  hale,  cheerful,  social,  and  active  old  gentleman.     His  sons 
were  sailors.     He  greatly  improved   the  establishment,  erecting  new 
buildings  and  raising  the  culture  of  the  land.     He  sold  out  the  place 
and  removed  to  Boston.     After  the  removal   of  Capt.   Clement,  and 
before  its  purchase  by  its  present  owner,  it  passed  through  several 
hands.     For  several  years  it  was  the  country-seat  of  John  Derby,  Esq., 
a  wealthy  merchant  of  Salem.     Thomas  Haley  Forrester,  from  Salem, 
an  intelligent,  well-educated,  rich,  but  most  dissipated  man  (a  bache- 
lor), lived  on  it  several  years,  and  died  in  1840,  "  as  the  fool  dieth." 
John  Clapp,  Esq.,  from  Leicester,  a  retired  merchant,  a  man  of  unusual 
energy  and  ability,  occupied  it  a  number  of  years.     Mrs.  Deborah 
Roundy,  from  Marblehead,  a  "poor  widow"  with  considerable  property, 
and  her  son  Benjamin  and  family,  succeeded  Mr.  Clapp.     Dr.  Wm.  W. 
Cutler,  late  of  Brookfield,  followed,  and  was  succeeded  by  John  Brew- 
ster,  Esq.,  now  an  exchange  broker  in  Boston.     The  present  owner 
42 


330 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


Lucius  Beebe,  Esq.,  has  been  in  possession  since  1852.  This  place  is 
noted  as  having  long  been  the  home  of  Gen.  Benjamin  Brown,  one  of 
the  most  eminent  and  influential  citizens  of  the  town .  for  many  years. 
He  was  born  in  1728  ;  was  son  of  Dea.  Benja.  Brown,  who  was  his  pred- 
ecessor on  this  farm,  and  a  descendant  of  Nicholas  Brown,  a  first 
settler,  and  the  common  ancestor  of  the  Reading  Browns.  (See  Early 
Settlers.)  Gen.  Brown  was  by  trade  a  tanner;  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolution  ;  rose  to  the  rank  of  colonel  in  the  Continental  army,  and 
was  afterwards  a  general  in  the  militia  ;  was  town  clerk,  selectman, 
representative,  delegate  to  the  First  Provincial  Congress,  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  at  last  deacon,  the  highest  office  of  all,  as  it  was  esteemed 
in  former  days.  His  first  wife  was  Hannah  Swain,  a  descendant  of 
Maj.  Jeremiah  Swain,  a  famous  fighter  in  the  old  Indian  wars ;  she 
died  in  1771.  Children,  by  his  first  wife:  Nathaniel  ("  Uncle  Nattie  "), 
who  lived  and  died  on  the  spot  where  Wid.  Lucy  P.  Jennings  recently 
lived  ;  William,  who  settled  in  Royalston,  where  his  posterity  remain  ; 
and  children  who  d.  young.  His  second  wife  was  Elizabeth,  widow  of 
Ebenezer  Wiley,  and  dau.  of  Elias  Bryant,  of  Stoneham,  and  grand- 
mother of  Benjamin  Brown  Wiley,  Esq.,  of  Wakefield,  and  of  Capt.  Peter 
Brown  Wiley,  formerly  of  Charlestown.  A  son  by  his  second  wife, 
Farewell,  married  a  dau.  of  James  Bancroft,  Esq.,  and  soon  after  his 
marriage  separated  from  his  wife,  went  South,  and  there  died  a  few 
years  since  at  an  advanced  age. 

Gen.  Brown  sold  out  his  farm,  not  long  before  his  death,  and  removed 
to  the  house  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Fred.  B.  Eaton,  where  he  d.  in  1801, 
aged  73  years.  His  grave-stone  says  of  him  :  — 

"Justice  and  benevolence  sat  governing  upon  his  brow;  while  his  generous  soul 
was  an  alleviating  source  to  the  distressed.  Judgment  and  information  completed 
every  sentence  in  his  conversation ;  conjugal  affection  and  parental  care  added  a  laurel 
to  his  magnanimity.  And  in  every  station  of  life  he  was  a  rich  blessing  to  society,  a 
friend  to  the  community,  a  prudent  and  pious  counsellor,  and  a  humble  member  of 
that  religion  which  now  completes  his  eternal  peace." 

A  small  house,  standing  near  the  mansion  above  referred  to,  a  short 
distance  north  of  it,  and  belonging  to  the  farm,  was  occupied  in  1812 
by  a  family  by  the  name  of  Godsheck.  In  1795,  James  Smith  occupied 
it,  and  in  1765,  Joseph  Brown,  a  younger  son  of  the  General,  lived  in 
it.  It  has  since  been  taken  down. 

JOSEPH  CORDIS  lived  in  a  large  house,  since  removed,  that  stood  on 
the  corner  of  Main  and  Cordis  Streets,  on  the  north  side  of  what  is  now 
Cordis  Street,  —  with  which  house  were  connected  the  lands  now  lying 
on  both  sides  of  Cordis  Street,  and  the  street  itself.  The  place  was 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


331 


early  owned  by  Capt.  John  Batchelder,  who  lived  there  in  1765,  and 
afterwards  removed  to  Royalston,  Mass.  In  1795  it  was  occupied  by 
Jona.  Nutting,  who  came  from  Salem,  and  married  in  1763,  Susanna, 
dau.  of  John  Batchelder  above  named. 

Mr.  Cordis,  or  Esquire  Cordis,  as  he  was  always  called,  had  been  a 
sea-captain  in  his  younger  days. 

"  His  march  was  on  the  mountain  wave, 
His  home  upon  the  deep." 

Retiring  from  the  sea,  he  became  a  merchant,  and  resided  in  Charles- 
town.  He  was  unfortunate  in  trade,  and  lost  a  considerable  part  of 
his  property.  He  then  removed  to  Reading,  and  purchased  the  place 
in  question.  His  first  wife  (Mary,  or  Rebecca)  who  came  with  him  to 
Reading,  is  said  to  have  been  a  very  amiable  and  agreeable  woman- 
She  died  soon  after  their  removal  hither,  Feb.  19,  1800.  He  m.,  2d. 
1803,  Wid.  Elizabeth  Spear,  formerly  of  Charlestown,  but  then  residing 
in  Reading.  She  had  several  adult  children :  Henry,  a  sea-captain ;  and 
Joseph,  a  somewhat  pompous,  but  not  very  profound  young  man,  who 
became  a  trader  in  New  York.  Mrs.  Spear  had  several  daughters : 
Betsey,  Mary,  etc/  Esquire  Cordis  had  children  by  his  first  wife,  who 
settled  elsewhere,  and  were  of  the  highest  respectability. 

The  Squire,  as  we  remember  him,  was  a  smart,  portly-looking 
man,  some  sixty  years  old  at  that  time ;  he  wore  a  three-cornered 
hat,  breeches,  and  large  knee  and  shoe  buckles,  and  was  a  very 
dignified  appearing  individual.  He  possessed  intelligence  and  judg- 
ment, was  well  educated  and  informed,  of  generous  impulses,  of 
honorable  feelings,  and  very  high-spirited.  He  forgot  not  his 
friends ;  being  sued  on  a  certain  occasion,  and  Capt.  David  Smith 
and  Capt.  Tho.  Emerson,  Sen.,  becoming  his  sureties,  after  relieving 
them  from  all  liability,  he  gave  to  each  a  valuable  silver  memento,  in 
token  of  his  gratitude,  —  gifts  that  still  remain  in  the  families  of  these 
friends.  He  was  frequently  called  to  the  Moderator's  chair  at  town- 
meetings,  although  an  earnest  Republican,  while  a  majority  of  his  fellow- 
townsmen  were  Federalists,  as  he  had  excellent  talent  as  a-  presiding 
officer ;  and  it  is  related  of  him,  that  he  once  decided  a  question  of 
order,  on  a  very  exciting  matter,  in  favor  of  his  opponents,  where  he 
had  the  power  to  favor  his  own  party  materially,  choosing  to  do  what 
he  thought  was  right  at  the  risk  of  offending  his  party  friends,  who 
strenuously  besought  him  to  do  otherwise.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace, 
conveyancer,  a  splendid  penman,  justice  of  the  Court  of  Sessions,  etc. 

The  farm  was  greatly  improved,  its  buildings  enlarged,  and  its  culti- 


332 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


vation  increased,  under  his  administration,  until  it  could  show  the  most 
spacious  and  convenient  farm  buildings,  the  greatest  amount  of  stone 
fence,  and  .the  best  general  arrangement,  of  any  farm  in  the  town.  He 
did  not  live  very  happily  with  his  second  wife  ;  it  is  understood  that  she 
became  the  owner,  in  her  own  right,  of  the  farm,  and  that  she  held  the 
purse-strings,  the  Squire  having  lost  and  expended  his  own  means. 
They  removed  to  Charlestown,  and  he,  old  and  poor,  became  broken- 
spirited  and  tired  of  life.  He  soon  after  committed  suicide  by  jumping 
from  Charlestown  Bridge  into  Charles  River,  with  his  feet  tied,  and 
thus  drowning  himself  at  about  seventy  years  of  age.  The  farm  was 
then  let  out  for  several  years,  and  subsequently  purchased  and  occupied 
by  Benjamin  Eaton,  from  Charlestown,  a  native  of  Reading,  a  son  of 
Edmund  and  Sarah  (Brown)  Eaton,  and  born  1769.  Mr.  Eaton,  after 
a  residence  of  a  few  years,  returned  to  Charlestown,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Moses  Sweetser,  Jr.,  son  of  Moses,  grandson  of  Samuel,  and 
great-grandson  of  Michael,  the  first  settler  in  town  by  the  name  of 
Sweetser.  Mr.  Sweetser  purchased  the  farm  about  1825  with  funds 
drawn  in  a  lottery. 

The  circumstances  connected  with  Mr.  Sweetser's  lottery  prize  were 
somewhat  peculiar.  A  brother-in-law  of  his,  Warren  Burditt,  a  man  of 
feeble  intellect,  was  charged  with  setting  on  fire  a  barn  belonging  to 
Capt.  James  Gould,  on  what  is  now  Dr.  Francis  P.  Kurd's  place,  and 
had  been  arrested.  Mr.  Sweetser  desired  to  defend  his  brother,  but 
was  poor  and  short  of  the  necessary  funds.  He  had  a  small  time-draft 
on  a  house  in  a  neighboring  city,  received  in  payment  of  a  small  lot  of 
shoes  that  he  had  manufactured,  and  he  applied  to  several  brokers  in 
Boston  to  get  it  cashed,  but  without  success  for  a  time  ;  at  length,  he 
was  told  by  one  broker,  who  was  also  a  lottery-ticket  vender,  that  if 
he  would  take  a  considerable  portion  of  the  draft  in  tickets,  he  would 
discount  it.  Mr.  Sweetser  was  no  gambler,  and  except  for  his  sharp 
necessity  would  not  have  invested  any  part  of  his  hard  earnings  in  a 
game  of  chance.  He  felt  obliged,  however,  to  comply  with  the  pro- 
posal, and  took  his  money  and  tickets.  One  of  these  tickets  drew 
a  prize  of  $10,000,  and  Mr.  Sweetser  became  at  once  a  rich  man.  He 
soon  after  bought  this  Cordis  farm,  and  occupied  it  several  years ;  but 
finding  it  unprofitable,  in  1835,  he  laid  it  out  in  house  lots,  opened  to 
the  public  what  are  now  Cordis,  School,  Sweetser,  and  several  other 
streets  thereon,  sold  the  lots,  disposed  of  the  dwelling-house  and  out- 
buildings, which  were  removed  from  the  old  spot  and  made  into  some 
half  dozen  dwellings,  shops,  and  stables  elsewhere,  and  he  himself  re- 
tired to  a  reserved  part  of  the  farm,  where  he  still  resides 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


333 


WILLIAM  STIMPSON  lived  in  the  house  now  owned  and  occupied  by 
Mrs.  Eliza,  wid.  of  Fred'k  Ballard  Eaton.  He  was  son  of  Dr.  William 
and  Elizabeth  (Nichols)  Stimpson,  b.  1768;  m.,  ist,  Miss  Danforth,  of 
Lynnfield ;  m.,  2d,  Miss  Boynton,  from  Dunstable ;  m.,  3d,  Wid.  Tep- 
rell,  from  Boston.  He  was  married  young ;  has  been  heard  to  say 
"  that  he  was  a  father  at  twenty,  a  grandfather  at  forty,  a  great-grand- 
father at  sixty,  and  that  he  hoped  to  be  a  great-great-grandfather  at 
eighty  " ;  and  we  believe  he  was  such,  for  he  lived  to  be  eighty-six  and 
a  half  years  old.  He  d.  1855. 

Of  his  children,  George  W.  still  lives  in  Wakefield,  and  so  also  does 
Jane,  his  youngest  daughter,  who  is  the  wife  of  Joseph  Warren  Vinton. 
Boynton,  named  for  his  mother,  born  about  1802,  was  accidentally 
killed  a  few  years  since,  at  a  theatre  in  Boston,  by  a  heavy  weight  fall- 
ing upon  his  head  while  he  was  adjusting  the  scenery. 

Of  the  Teprell  children,  who  came  with  their  mother  to  South  Read- 
ing upon  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Stimpson,  Matthew  became  a  printer,  and 
lives  mostly  at  Boston ;  and  Mary,  who  was  the  widow  of  the  late  Wm. 
Rutter,  lived  in  South  Reading.  Mr.  Stimpson  was  a  bricklayer  by 
trade,  a  peaceable,  industrious,  and  honest  man.  He  afterwards  pur- 
chased and  occupied  the  farm  at  the  "  head  of  the  pond,"  now  or  lately 
known  as  the  "  Stimpson  Farm." 

DR.  WILLIAM  STIMPSON,  the  father  of  the  foregoing,  born  in  1732, 
and  died  1812,  aged  80.  He  was  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth 
(Bryant)  Stimpson,  and  grandson  of  Dr.  Thomas  and  Mary  (Taylor) 
Stimpson,  and  great-grandson  of  Dr.  James  and  Mary  (Leffingwell) 
Stimpson,  an  early  physician  of  the  town.  Dr.  William  was  living,  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  with  his  son  William  aforesaid,  where  he  had 
retired  in  his  old  age ;  but,  until  his  old  age,  he  had  lived  some  time  at 
the  old  Stimpson  homestead  (which  was  the  place  recently  owned  by 
John  White,  Sen.),  and  some  time  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Salem 
Streets,  where  the  Eaton  mansion  now  is.  His  wife  was  Catharine, 
dau.  of  Ebenezer  Nichols,  Esq.,  and  granddaughter  of  James  and  Mary 
(Poole)  Nichols,  who  were  probably  the  first  occupants  of  this  old 
homestead.  She,  Catharine,  died  in  1831,  aged  97. 

Dr.  William  is  said  to  have  been  of  respectable  but  not  brilliant 
talents  as  a  physician  ;  he  was  of  a  somewhat  lymphatic  temperament, 
although  his  portrait,  now  in  the  possession  of  the  family,  indicates  in- 
telligence, firmness,  and  decision.  It  is  said  of  him  that,  when  charged 
with  laziness  by  some  one,  he  replied,  "  I  am  not  lazy,  in  the  sense  of 
being  slothful  and  dronish ;  true,  I  like  to  be  calm  and  quiet,  but  that 
is  constitutional;  a  man  is  not  to  be  blamed  for  what  is  constitutional." 


334 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


He  certainly  was  a  bold  man,  for  he  would  ride  his  horse  down  the 
pond,  where  the  ice,  newly  formed,  was  so  thin  that  the  calks  of  the 
horse's  shoes  would  cut  through  at  every  step,  making  the  water  spout 
up  around  him.  He  had  several  children  besides  William  aforesaid, 
who  settled  in  Boston  and  elsewhere. 

THOMAS  EVANS,  Sen.,  lived  in  the  mansion  now  known  as  "John 
White,  Jr.'s,  old  house,"  and  owned  and  improved  the  farm  connected 
therewith.  This  farm  was  formerly  the  homestead  of  John  Batchelder, 
who  also  owned  the  Cordis  farm,  and  was  the  -proprietor  of  them  in 
1765.  Before  that  it  was  owned  by  Timothy  Nichols.  In  the  time  of 
the  Revolution  it  was  owned  by  Nathan  Appleton  and  Oliver  Wendall, 
of  Boston,  men  of  wealth,  who  purchased  it,  it  is  said,  as  a  place  of 
refuge  and  resort  in  case  Boston  should  be  destroyed  by  the  British. 
These  gentlemen  bought  the  farm,  in  1777,  of  Rev.  Samuel  Batchelder, 
of  Haverhill,  and  sold  it,  in  1784,  to  Thomas  Evans  for  ^"400. 

There  was  formerly  a  "  drift-way  "  through  this  farm  from  Main  Street, 
near  the  present  house  of  the  late  Capt.  Benj.  Freeman,  or  perhaps  a 
little  farther  northeasterly,  to  Vernon  Street,  which  was  the  principally 
travelled  way  from  the  South  Parish  to  Salem,  Fitch's  Lane  being  very 
narrow,  and  Fitch's  Hill  very  steep. 

Thomas  Evans,  b.  1749,  was  son  of  Jonathan  and  Eunice  (Green) 
Evans  (see  Early  Settlers)  ;  married  Rebecca,  dau.  of  Ebenezer  and 
Hepzibeth  (Damon)  Smith.  He  was  a  farmer,  prosperous  and  fore- 
handed ;  used  also  to  manufacture  vinegar  and  peddle  it  in  Salem, 
in  connection  with  sweet  apples ;  the  apples  he  distributed  gratis,  the 
vinegar  he  sold  ;  possessed  great  energy,  shrewdness,  and  resolution. 
"  Up  in  the  morning  when  riseth  the  lark,"  he  took  time  by  the  fore- 
lock, and  held  on  successfully.  He  died  in  1814,  aged  65. 

His  wife,  who  survived  him  many  years,  was  a  pattern  woman,  —  pru- 
dent, notable,  and  pious.  A  memoir  of  her  life  has  been  published, 
and  therefore  we  need  not  enlarge  upon  it.  We  will  refer,  however,  to 
one  trait  in  her  character  that  was  quite  largely  developed  —  this  was 
a  strong  credulity  in  relation  to  ghosts,  forerunners,  and  supernatural 
manifestations,  dreams,  and  visions.  She  used  often  to  relate  to  her 
trembling  grandchildren  ghost  stories  that  she  believed  to  be  true  ;  ac- 
counts of  haunted  houses,  wonderful  dreams,  and  spirit  communica- 
tions, the  parties  and  circumstances  connected  with  which  she  was  well 
acquainted  with,  that  made  life-long  impressions  upon  her  youthful 
auditors.  She  said  there  came  to  her  house,  one  day,  old  Thankful 
Walton,  a  fortune-teller.  This  Thankful  Walton  came  from  the  then 
far-off  Aroostook  Country  ;  married  Abiel  Brown,  of  Reading ;  was  the 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


335 


mother  of  Rhoda,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Brown  ("  Uncle  Nattie  ")  ;  buried 
her  first  husband,  and  then  married  Jacob  Walton,  son  of  Capt.  John 
and  Mary,  and  was  now  again  a  widow,  and  quite  aged.  During  her 
visit,  she  foretold  the  fortunes  of  the  several  members  of  the  family  ; 
this  she  did  by  examining  the  lines  in  the  palms  of  their  hands,  and  by 
noticing  the  omens  of  the  tea-dregs.  Among  various  other  prophecies, 
she  told  Mrs.  Evans  that  she  would  soon  receive  a  present  from  distant 
friends.  Her  predictions  were  not  very  much  heeded,  although  there 
was  great  superstition  among  the  people  in  those  days.  But,  sure 
enough,  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks,  Mrs.  Evans  did  receive  from  a 
distant  town  a  present  of  a  beautiful  napkin,  of  fine  linen,  woven  in 
colored  plaids,  and  a  very  nice  article.  This  cloth  was  long  preserved 
in  the  family  as  a  keepsake,  and  subsequently  presented  to  the  Baptist 
Church  in  South  Reading,  with  which  to  enwrap  the  sacred  vessels,  in 
which  consecrated  service,  it  is  presumed,  it  may  still  be  found.  Mrs. 
Evans  d.  1835,  aged  77.  The  children  of  Thomas  and  Rebecca  Evans 
were:  Rebecca,  b.  1776,  and  m.  1799,  Isaac  Kimball,  of  Easton,  and 
died  there  in  1813,  where  her  posterity  remain;  Thomas,  b.  1778; 
Eunice,  b.  1780,  and  m.  1797;  Lilley  Eaton;  Ebenezer,  b.  1782, 
and  d.  unm.,  at  the  age  of  37  ;  George,  b.  1784 ;  became  a  Baptist  cler- 
gyman ;  was  noted  as  a  revival  preacher ;  travelled  extensively  in  the 
Northern  and  Western  States ;  was  pastor  of  several  different  churches 
in  New  Hampshire;  m.  Chloe  Pettee,  of  Foxboro';  and  d.  1848,  in 
Manchester,  N.  H.,  leaving  one  daughter,  Mary  Chloe.  He  was  of 
limited  education,  but  of  good  general  information,  of  much  energy, 
promptness,  and  faithfulness.  His  widow  and  daughter  reside  in  Wake- 
field.  Amos,  b.  1787  ;  Jonas,  b.  1790,  and  d.  young;  Jonas,  b.  1793  > 
m.  Mary  W.  Jefferds,  of  Charlestown,  and  has  one  dau.  Mary  Ellen  ; 
was  several  years  clerk  and  salesman  for  Lilley  Eaton  ;  became  a  pub- 
lic lecturer  on  geographical  and  astronomical  science  ;  is  a  licentiate 
preacher ;  has  received  the  honorary  degree  of  M.  A.  from  Brown  Uni- 
versity ;  has  been  school  committee  and  representative ;  he  lives  in 
Wakefield.  Elias,  b.  1798  ;  m.  1837,  Mary  Pierce,  of  Concord,  N.  H. ; 
has  several  children  ;  lives  in  Concord,  N  H.* 

REV.  EBENEZER  NELSON  lived  on  the  place  long  owned  and  occu- 
pied by  Hon  Thomas  Emerson. 

Mr.  Nelson  came  to  this  town  from  Middleboro',  where  he  was  born 
in  1753,  and  was  settled  as  the  first  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in 
South  Reading  in  1804.  He  was  then  about  fifty  years  old,  and,  as  we 

*  This  old  place  is  now  owned  by  the  heirs  of  the  late  John  White,  Jr. 


336 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


remember  him,  was  rather  below  the  middle  stature,  wore  a  wig  and 
cue ;  dressed  in  small-clothes,  with  knee  buckles  and  shoe  buckles. 
He  was  not  classically  educated,  but  was  well  informed  and  well  read, 
and  a  fair,  off-hand,  plain,  extemporaneous  speaker ;  was  a  warm  Re- 
publican and  patriot,  and  a  zealous  advocate  of  religious  freedom  ;  he 
was  of  a  very  social  and  genial  disposition  ;  fond  of  humor,  and  could 
himself  tell  a  pleasant  story.  .  We  remember  one  that  we  heard  him 
relate  after  he  had  removed  to  Maiden  :  — 

"  His  reverend  brother,  the  late  Aaron  Green,  was  then  the  Unitarian 
clergyman  at  Maiden.  Mr.  Green  was  an  earnest  Federalist,  and  was 
always  careful  to  vote  a  clean  party  ticket  for  State  officers. 

"  On  the  occasion  of  a  certain  warmly-contested  gubernatorial  election, 
when  every  vote  was  important,  Mr.  Green,  on  the  Saturday  preceding 
the  election,  prepared,  with  great  care,  a  Federal  vote  to  use  on  the 
ensuing  Monday,  not  choosing  to  trust  to  the  printed  votes,  and  placed 
the  same  in  his  vest-pocket.  The  next  day  being  the  Sabbath,  he  wore 
his  better  vest  to  church,  and  there  received  a  note,  asking  prayers  for 
somj  poor  sick  person,  which  he  read  publicly,  offered  the  desired 
petitions,  and  put  the  note  in  his  vest-pocket.  The  next  day  Parson 
Green  again  wore  his  better  vest  (and  forgetting  to  exchange  the  con- 
tents of  his  vest),  went  to  town-meeting  and  deposited,  as  he  supposed, 
his  Simon  pure  vote.  At  the  counting  up  of  the  votes  at  the  close  of 
the  polls,  among  the  ballots  was  found  a  note  asking  prayers  for  the 
sick ;  it  was  Parson  Green's  Federal  vote !  "  "  I  told  Bro.  Green,  the 
next  day,"  said  Parson  Nelson,  with  a  chuckle,  "  that  I  thought  his 
party  needed  prayers  bad  enough,  but  was  afraid  his  petitions  would  not 
save  it" 

Mr.  Nelson  brought  with  him  to  South  Reading  his  second  wife,  who 
was  Mrs.  Betsey  Shaw,  of  Middleboro',  and  who  was  one  of  the  most 
amiable  and  agreeable  of  ladies,  and  as  good  as  she  was  agreeable. 
He  brought  also  two  sons  and  several  daughters ;  one  or  more  of  his 
children  had  settled  elsewhere  before.  His  son,  Ebenezer,  became  an 
apprentice  and  clerk  in  the  store  of  Lilley  Eaton ;  afterwards  went 
into  trade  in  Providence,  R.  L,  in  company  with  Tho.  Emerson,  Jr. 
(late  Hon.  Tho.  Emerson),  married  in  Providence  ;  buried  his  wife 
soon,  and  not  long  after  this  became  a  Baptist  clergyman,  settled  at 
Lynn,  married  a  Miss  Childs,  of  Lynn,  and  died  there.  Ebenezer  was 
an  active,  accomplished,  and  honest  man.  As  a  clerk  and  salesman  he 
had  few  equals  for  grace,  expertness,  and  accuracy.  As  a  preacher,  he 
was  intelligent,  earnest,  fluent,  and  acceptable. 

The  other  son,  James   Manning,   was   a  bright,   generous -hearted 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  337 

youth,  a  quick  scholar,  was  fitted  for  college,  entered  Brown  University, 
became  irregular  and  fast  in  his  habits,  and  was  expelled  from  the  col- 
lege. He  returned  to  his  father,  received  his  patrimony,  and  started 
for  the  South  ;  his  father  telling  him,  at  his  'departure,  "  not  to  stop 
until  he  had  reached  a  respectable  distance,  and  every  time  he  changed 
his  residence,  to  go  farther  from  home."  James  became  a  successful 
teacher  in  the  South,  became  regular  and  temperate  in  his  habits,  and 
after  many  years  of  absence  returned  to  visit  his  family  and  was  warmly 
welcomed.  He  again  went  South,  and  there  died  unmarried. 

One  of  the  daughters  married  Capt.  John  Holman,  of  Salem,  a  naval 
commander.  Another  married  and  removed  to  Vermont.  The  young- 
est daughter,  Abigail,  who  was  the  only  child  of  her  mother  (Mr.  Nel- 
son's second  wife),  was,  in  1812,  a  young  lady  of  beauty  and  grace,  in- 
telligent, social,  and  sprightly,  b.  about  1798.  She  married  Rev.  Geo. 
Leonard,  a  Baptist  clergyman,  who  was  settled  first  at  Salem,  and  after- 
wards at  Portland,  where  he  d.,  a  young  man ;  his  wid.  is  now  dead. 

Mr.  Nelson,  Senior,  resigned  his  pastoral  charge  in  South  Reading  in 
1815,  and  soon  after  settled  in  Maiden;  was  a  member  of  the  Mass. 
Constitutional  Convention  of  1820,  and  died  at  Maiden  in  1825,  aged 
about  72. 

The  house  in  South  Reading  that  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Nelson  has 
been  greatly  enlarged  and  improved  since  its  purchase  by  its  late 
owner  (T.  Emerson,  Esq.).  This  place  was  the  early  homestead  of  the 
Dix  family,  and  afterwards  of  Joseph  Emerson,  a  son  of  Ebenezer  and 
Mary  (Boutwell)  Emerson,  and  a  grandson  of  Rev.  Joseph  Emerson, 
of  Menclon. 

This  Joseph  Emerson,  the  predecessor  of  Mr.  Nelson,  m.  Phebe 
Upton,  and  was  a  brother  of  Thomas,  who  was  the  grandfather  of  the 
late  owner  ;  he  was  the  father  of  Joseph,  of  Royalston. 

Elias,  b.  1759,  of  Lancaster,  whose  wife  was  a  Howard,  of  Melrose, 
and  whose  sons,  Elias,  Abraham,  Joseph,  and  Charles,  formerly  lived 
in  South  Reading,  and  who  now,  except  Abraham,  who  is  d.,  live  in 
Charlestownj  Charles,  b.  1769;  the  original  inventor  and  manufac- 
turer of  "  Emerson's  Patent  Elastic  Razor  Straps,"  of  which  "  there  are 
still  a  few  more  left"  ;  a  man  of  great  moderation,  a  trait  of  character 
for  which  the  Emerson  family  have  been  somewhat  renowned  ;  Ephraim, 
b.  1767  ;  was  a  deacon,  and  settled  in  Ohio  ;  Naomi,  b.  1755,  wife  of 
Benj.  Badger,  Senior  ;  and  several  other  daughters. 

JONATHAN  EMERSON  lived  in  a  small  cottage,  that  still  stands,  nearly 
opposite  the  place  above  described. 

He  was  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Bruce)  Emerson,  b.  1768  ; 
43 


338 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


m.  "1796,  Martha  Williams,  of  Saugus,  died  1841,  aged  73.  Chil. : 
John,  for  many  years  the  bell-ringer,  and  now  d.  Martha,  who  m. 
Samuel  Parker,  and  now  lives  in  Wakefield.  This  place  is  now  the 
property  of  heirs  of  Hon.  Thomas  Emerson. 

WID.  OLIVE  NEWELL  lived  in  a  house  that  stood  near  the  spot  where 
now  stands  the  mansion  owned  and  occupied  by  E.  Eugene  Emerson. 

This  house  and  the  farm  connected  with  it  became  the  property  of 
Rev.  Jonas  Evans,  who  occupied  it  several  years,  and  subsequently  the 
house  was  removed  to  the  easterly  part  of  Lawrence  Street,  a  highway 
laid  out  through  said  farm.      It  was  occupied  by  James  Gould  in  1795 
and  was  probably  built  by  Joseph  Gould,  who  lived  there  in  1765. 

Mrs.  Newell  removed  hither  from  Boston,  with  her  two  daughters, 
Olive  and  Charlotte.  She  was  the  widow  of  Andrew  Newell,  of  Bos- 
ton, and  dau.  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Edes,  of  Charlestown.  She  was 
then  a  pleasant  and  social  old  lady,  of  genteel  manners,  intelligent  and 
highly  respectable.  She  presented  to  the  Congregational  and  Baptist 
societies  of  South  Reading,  each,  a  large,  handsomely  bound  copy  of 
the  Bible,  for  pulpit  use.  Her  daughter,  Olive,  became  the  second  wife 
of  Capt.  John  Holman,  of  Salem,  whose  first  wife  was  a  dau.  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Nelson ;  they  removed  to  the  State  of  New  York,  and  are  both 
dead. 

Charlotte,  the  other  dau.,  married  Dr.  Samuel,  son  of  Dr.  John 
Hart,  who  now  lives  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Newell  had  other  chil- 
dren, who  were  older,  and  who  settled  in  Boston  ;  among  whom  were 
Joseph,  a  merchant ;  and  a  dau.,  wife  of  Hon.  Henry  Farnum,  also  a 
merchant  and  sometime  an  alderman. 

JOHN  WHITE,  SEN.,  lived  in  a  small  house  standing  near  the  above, 
and  belonging  to  the  Newell  place,-  called  the  farm-house,  for  the  use  of 
the  family  that  carried  on  the  farm.  Mr.  White  was  a  native  of  Lexing- 
ton. He  subsequently  purchased  the  old  house,  lately  removed  from 
its  site,  near  L.  Beebe's  ;  m.  in  1791,  Judith,  dau.  of  Thos.  and  Lydia 
Green,  and  had  chil. :  Judith,  b.  1791,  and  who  is  now  the  wife  of 
Joseph  Pierce,  of  Wakefield  ;  John,  b.  1795,  married  Nancy  Eaton; 
was  an  extensive  and  successful  shoe  manufacturer ;  lived  some  years 
in  the  "Abbott  House"  (opposite  late  Hon.  Thos.  Emerson's);  sub- 
sequently purchased  the  Thos.  Evans  farm ;  removed  thereto,  and 
built  the  mansion  thereon,  now  occupied  by  his  widow,  and  died  in 
1860,  aged  65,  leaving  two  daughters,  one  of  whom  is  the  wife  of  John 
G.  Aborn.  Nathan,  b.  1798,  m.  Fanny  Eaton,  and  removed  to  Ohio; 
Nancy,  b.  1800,  married  Henry  Gray,  and  died  1869  ;  Adaline,  b.  1807, 
m.  Wm.  Emerson,  and  settled  in  Ct. ;  Lydia,  b.  1812,  m.  1832,  B.  F. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


339 


Abbott,  was  mother  of  George  Abbott,  and  is  now  dead ;  William,  b. 
1813,  who  m.  1836,  Sarah  Cowdrey,  and  lives  in  Wakefield.  The  father 
died  Oct.  14,  1842,  aged  73^  years. 

JESSE  CARTER  lived  in  the  "  Abbott  house  "  aforesaid,  now  belong- 
ing to  the  heirs  of  late  John  White,  Jr.  He  came  from  Woburn  ;  was 
a  bootmaker;  m.  1811,  Susanna,  dau.  of  Benj.  and  Elizabeth  Emer- 
son ;  was  captain  ;  removed  to  Hanover,  N.  H. ;  had  one  son,  Lyman, 
who  was  drowned  at  sea  ;  buried  his  wife  and  removed  to  Plainfield, 
Vt.,  where,  in  1868,  he  was  still  living.  This  house  was  erected  about 
1808,  by  John  Hay,  a  son  of  Dr.  John  Hay,  who  soon  after  removed 
from  the  town. 

LILLEY  EATON  lived  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Salem  Streets  ;  was 
the  son  of  Lilley  and  Sarah  (Emerson)  Eaton  (see  Early  Settlers) ; 
was  b.  1768 ;  m.  1797,  Eunice,  dau.  of  Thos.  and  Rebecca  Evans.  He 
d.  1822,  aged  54.  His  widow  d.  1866,  aged  85. 


EATON  MANSION,  corner  of  Main  and  Salem  Streets. 

He  occupied  the  house  that  still  stands  upon  this  corner,  and  which 
was  erected  by  him  in  1804.  At  the  time  of  its  erection  it  was  by 
far  the  most  imposing  dwelling  in  the  village,  and  occupied  a  position 


340 


GEAE  A  LOGICAL   HISTORY 


that  was  then  accounted  the  centre  of  population  and  business  for  the 
South  Parish. 

Mr.  Eaton  was  in  early  life  a  shoe  manufacturer ;  after  the  erection 
of  this  house,  he  opened  therein  a  country  store,  which  he  continued 
(except  from  1809  to  1812,  when  it  was  occupied  for  the  same  purpose 
by  T.  &  A.  Evans)  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  For  many  years  it 
was  the  most  considerable  store  in  the  town,  or  indeed  in  the  vicinity, 
and  was  long  patronized  by  the  people  of  this  and  all  the  adjacent 
towns.  In  1813  he  had  the  honor  of  establishing  thejzrst  temperance 
grocery  ever  kept  in  the  town.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  and  long 
a  pillar  of  the  Baptist  church  and  society  in  this  place.  He  furnished 
for  many  years,  free  of  charge,  a  room  in  his  house  for  his  society  to 
use  for  their  religious,  social,  and  conference  meetings.  In  the  third 
story  of  his  house  was  an  unfinished  hall  that  was  furnished  and  used 
for  this  purpose,  especially  on  Sabbath  evenings  ;  and  long  known  in 
the  family  as  the  "  Meeting  Chamber."  And  some  are  still  living  who 
can  remember  the  fervent  prayers,  the  pious  exhortations,  and  the 
earnest  zeal,  that  used  to  fill  that  "  upper  chamber." 

This  house  was  also  long  known  as  the  "  Pilgrims'  Hotel,"  as  it  was 
the  general  resort  of  travelling  clergymen,  and  other  brethren  and 
sisters  of  the  faith,  where  they  always  found  a  cheerful  welcome. 

Mr.  Eaton  had  the  reputation  of  being  a  liberal,  upright,  and  honor- 
able man,  and  his  widow,  who  survived  him  many  years,  and  during 
her  last  decade  was  totally  blind,  ever  sustained  the  character  of  an 
earnest,  hospitable,  and  Christian  woman.  Their  children  were :  Eu- 
nice, b.  1798,  and  m.  1833,  Charles  H.  Hill,  Esq.;  Sally,  b.  1800, 
and  d.  1801  ;  Lilley,1  b.  1802,  and  m.  1824,  Eliza,  dau.  of  Samuel  and 
Elizabeth  Nichols,  and  died  in  Wakefield,  Jan.  16,  1872  (was  the 
writer  of  these  sketches).  Mary  Bentley,  b.  1805  ;  m.,  ist,  1823, 
Abraham  Emerson,  and  m.,  2d,  1853,  Capt.  Ira  Wiley,  of  Wakefield; 
Stillman,  b.  1807,  and  d.  1828;  Emily,  b.  1811,  and  m.  1838,  Rev. 
Peter  Folsom,  formerly  of  Maine.,  lately  of  Wakefield  ;  he  died  1872  ; 
John  Sullivan,  b.  1822;  m.,  ist,  1846,  Harriet  W.  Oliver,  of  Maiden; 
she  d.  1852  ;  m.,  2d,  1854,  Ann  E.  Knowles,  of  Corinna,  Me.,  and 
lives  in  Wakefield. 

When  the  house  aforesaid  was  built,  an  old  mansion  was  taken  down, 
which  was  then  standing  upon  this  spot,  and  which  had  been  removed 
hither  from  Greenwood  by  Dr.  Wm.  Stimpson,  who  occupied  it  a  while, 
and  was  living  in  it  in  1765  ;  afterwards  it  was  occupied  by  Dea.  Jacob 

1  See  sketch  of  his  life  and  character  in  Chap.  XV. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


341 


Emerson,  John  Gould  (who  was  here  in   1795),  arjd  by  Samuel  Batts, 
each  of  whom  kept  a  small  grocery  therein. 


LATE    RESIDENCE    OF    HON.-    LILLEY    EATON. 


JOHN  GOULD  lived  in  a  house  recently  taken  Mown,  that  stood  on  a 
narrow  lane  or  court  leading  out  of  Main  Street,  and  now  a  part  of 
Pearl  Street.  It  was  a  Very  ancient-looking  mansion,  with  gambrel- 
shaped  roof,  whitewashed  and  homely;  it  was  originally  built  (in  1730, 
it  is  said),  and  used  for  a  malt  and  brew-house,  probably  by  the  Fitch 
family,  who  formerly  owned  it.  Mr.  Gould's  father,  William  Gould  (or 
"  Gold,"  as  it  is  written  in  the  old  records),  was  a  native  of  Ipswich, 
and  a  son  of  Major  and  Elizabeth  Gould,  and  was  baptized  in  1726. 
He  was  a  descendant,  no  doubt,  of  Zacheus  Gould,  an  original  settler 
of  that  part  of  Ipswich  which  is  now  Topsfield.  He  came  to  Reading 
when  a  young  man,  and  m.  and  settled  on  this  place.  (See  Early 
Settlers.) 

Mr.  John  Gould  was  born  in  1758  ;  m.  1785,  Mary,  dau.  of  Phineas 
Sweetser,  who  lived  on  the  Pierce  farm,  now  so  called,  in  Stoneham, 


342 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


and  was  brother  of  Michael  Sweetser,  who  lived  where  Asa  N.  Sweetser 
now  lives. 

He  (John  Gould)  was  a  boot  and  shoe  maker ;  was  the  first  town 
clerk  of  South  Reading,  which  office  he  held  twelve  successive  years ; 
was  of  the  first  and  succeeding  boards  of  selectmen,  and  representative 
in  1816. 

In  person  he  was  tall,  straight,  and  florid ;  wore  a  long  cue ;  was 
of  stern  and  dignified  demeanor ;  possessed  good  native  talents,  was  of 
great  firmness,  and  opposed  to  all  new-fangled  notions  in  business, 
politics,  or  religion ;  disliked  any  innovation  upon  the  ways  and  man- 
ners of  the  fathers ;  he  sincerely  "  asked  for  the  old  paths,"  and  liter- 
ally walked  therein.  He  was  well  read,  for  whatever  he  judged  worth 
reading  at  all,  he  read  thoroughly.  Dr.  Young  was  one  of  his  favorite 
authors,  from  whom  he  was  ever  ready  to  quote.  He  was  a  social 
companion,  and  under  an  outside  crust  of  dignity  were  veins  of  humor 
and  fun.  He  was  a  strong  republican  patriot,  and  an  honest  man.  He 
died  in  1835,  aged  77.  His  chil.  were:  John,  b.  1786 ;  settled  in  Bal- 
timore ;  was  there  during  the  last  war  with  England ;  was  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  North  Point,  where  he 

"  Fought,  bled,  died,"  he  used  to  say, 
And  from  those  cursed  Britons  ran  away, 
And  lived  to  fight  and  run  another  day. 

Not  being  successful  in  business  in  Baltimore,  he  returned  to  South 
Reading,  became  a  shoe  manufacturer,  and  was  again  unsuccessful ;  in 
cdnsequence  of  these  repeated  discouragements,  he  made  the  matter 
worse  by.  an  occasional  resort  to  the  intoxicating  cup  ;  but  the  Wash- 
ingtonian  reform  of  1840  caught  him  and  restored  him,  and  to  his 
honor  be  it  recorded  he  never  relapsed.  He  was  intelligent,  fond  of 
reading,  wrote  verses  on  various  subjects,  particularly  on  temperance, 
and  acquired  the  soubriquet  of  "  Temperance  Poet  Laureate." 

He  m.  Jan.  29,  1855,  Lucy  Washburn.     He  d.  1864,  aged  78. 

Charles,  another  son  of  John,  b.  1790,  was  a  soldier  in  the  service  of 
the  United  States,  during  the  last  war  with  England,  in  the  Black  Hawk 
Indian  war,  and  afterwards.  He  died  in  1869,  at  South  Reading. 
Mary,  b.  1792,  is  still  living,  unm. ;  Elizabeth,  b.  17^4  ;  was  a  success- 
ful school-teacher  in  her  younger  days ;  m.  John  Aborn,  son  of  Dea. 
Samuel  Aborn,  of  Lynnfield  ;  has  a  worthy  family  of  children,  and 
still  lives  in  Wakefield  ;  Nancy,  b.  1799  ;  died  June  8,  1865,  unmarried  ; 
Sophia,  b.  1801  ;  was  a  sprightly,  social  woman  ;  was  for  many  years  a 
popular  school-teacher  ;  she  died  1842,  aged  41. 


OP   THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


343 


JEREMIAH  BRYANT  lived  in  the  house  now  occupied  by  Andrew 
Young;  was  b.  1768  ;  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Rebecca  (Boutwell)  Bryant, 
and  a  descendant  of  Abraham  Bryant  (see  Early  Settlers).  He  m. 
1790,  Mary,  dau.  of  Jabez  and  Lydia  Caiter.  He  d.  1852,  aged  84. 
Was  a  blacksmith,  "as  all  his  fathers  were,"  and  long  occupied 
an  old,  low  shop,  at  the  head  of  the  Common,  on  the  spot 
where  he  afterwards  built  a  larger  shop,  now  torn  down.  His 
dwelling-house  was  then  very  much  smaller  than  at  present.  Mr. 
Bryant  was  a  very  industrious,  kind-hearted,  and  honest  man  ;  of  com- 
mon intelligence,  modest,  unassuming  and  retiring ;  having  been  once 
elected  a  selectman,  he  declined  the  office ;  he  was  contented  by  hard 
work,  economy,  and  close  calculation,  to  quietly  lay  up  a  competence. 
He  was  hay-weigher,  and  foreman  of  the  fire-engine  for  many  years. 
He  began  life  quite  poor,  but  by  the  steady  accumulations  of  a  long 
life  of  industry  and  economy,  he  counted  at  last  his  tens  of  thousands. 
His  wife,  who  used  to  be  called  "  Lady  Bryant,"  was  genteel  in  her 
manners,  and  more  fond  of  show  and  appearance  than  her  husband, 
but  always  prudent*  and  close,  rather  severely  so  to  her  domestics 
sometimes,  as  they  thought.  They  had  two  chil. :  Jeremiah,  b.  1 790 ; 
who  m.  1820,  Abigail  Winn,  sister  of  Maj.  Suel  Winn;  was  for  many 
years  constable  and  auctioneer,  and  for  a  season  deputy  sheriff,  and  a  ^ 
very  efficient  police  officer ;  was  naturally  intelligent,  was  well-educated 
in  the  common  school,  and  generally  well-informed  ;  was  an  ingenious 
mechanic.  He  was  early  subject  -to  disease  that  gradually  broke  down 
his  constitution,  impaired  his  mind,  and  weakened  his  powers  of  self- 
denial.  He  d.  Jan.  18,  1856  ;  Mary,  b.  1800  (was  called  Maria,  when 
young),  was  a  fine,  intelligent  girl,  sprightly,  vivacious,  graceful,  and 
amiable;  m.  1820,  Harfield  Hart,  and  was  a  virtuous  and  valuable 
woman ;  was  mother  of  the  late  Mary  B.,  Ellen,  late  wife  of  Andrew 
Young,  Henry  C.,  Everett,  and  other  children.  She  d.  Jan.  14, 

1833- 

THOMAS  EMERSON,  JR.*  (late  Hon.  Thomas),  lived  in  the  Prentiss 
house,  on  Common  Street,  so  called  from  Rev.  Caleb  Prentiss,  who  for- 
merly owned  it,  and  who  d.  in  it  in  1803.  (See  Prentiss  Geneal.)  The 
place  was  the  parsonage  of  the  First  Parish,  and  was  sold  to  Mr.  Pren- 
tiss in  1770. 

Thomas  Emerson,  Jr.,  was  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Ruth  Emerson 
(see  Early  Settlers)  ;  b.  1785  ;  m.  1813,  Betsey,  dau.  of  Dea.  James 
and  Sarah  (Hopkinson)  Hartshorn  ;  she  died  in  1873 ;  was  school 

*  See  sketch  of  his  life  and  character  in  Chapter  XV. 


344 


GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 


committeeman,  selectman,  representative,  senator,  justice  of  the  peace, 
captain  of  cavalry,  etc. 

For  many  years  he  was  the  most  extensive  and  successful  shoe  manu- 
facturer in  the  place,  giving  lucrative  employment  to  large  numbers  of 
the  inhabitants,  and  thus  essentially  promoting  the  prosperity  of  the 
town.  He  retired  from  active  business  previous  to  his  death,  and  was 
president  of  the  National  Bank  of  South  Reading  and  Wakefield,  from 
its  organization  until  his  decease  in  1871.  His  children  are:  Thomas, 
b.  1816  ;  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  "Thomas  Emerson's  Sons," 
shoe  manufacturers;  m.  1840,  Emily,  dau.  of  late  Tho.  Swain;  James 
F.,  b.  1830,  junior  partner  of  said  firm  ;  m.  1856,  Harriet  O.,  dau.  of 
Hubbard  Emerson,  Esq. ;  she  d.  1861  ;  has  been  captain,  and  is  now 
town  treasurer ;  Augusta  Buchan,  b.  1821;  m.  1848,  Francis  Odiorne, 
of  Maiden  ;  Sarah  Hartshorn,  b.  1824;  m.  1850,  B.  F.  Barnard,  who 
was  a  lieutenant  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  ;  Maria  J.,  b.  1828  ;  m. 
1850,  Maj.  Geo.  O.  Carpenter,  of  Boston. 


MRS.  RUTH    EMERSON   (Mother  of  Hon.  Thomas). 

WILLIAM  WILLIAMS  occupied  a  part  of  the  Prentiss  house  aforesaid. 
His  father  died  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  when  William  was  an  infant. 
His  mother,  Sarah,  m.  1785,  Timothy  Stearns,  of  Lynnfield.  William 
was  an  apprentice  to  Col.  Amos  Boardman.  He  m.  1798,  Bathsheba 
Smith,  of  Maiden;  she  d.  1816,  aged  42.  He  m.,  2d,  1817,  Sarah 
Trull,  and  he  d.  1853,  aged  77.  His  children  by  his  first  wife  were  : 
Henry,  b.  1800,  and  William,  b.  1803  ;  these  were  pleasant,  sensible, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


345 


and  promising  young  men,  but  early  faded  and  passed  away,  each  dying 
of  consumption  at  the  age  of  20.  By  second  wife  he  had  :  Sarah,  who 
m.  Andrew  Mason  ;  he  was  killed  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion ;  Ann 
Maria,  the  wife  of  Solon  Walton. 

STEPHEN  HALE  lived  in  the  old  tavern  house,  recently  demolished, 
that  stood  near  Emerson's  shoe  factory.  He  was  a  shoe  manufacturer, 
and  at  the  time  referred  to  kept  a  public  house.  This  old  mansion 
and  farm  were  formerly  the  homestead  of  Samuel  Poole,  b.  1700,  son  of 
Jonathan  (Esq  )  (see  Early  Settlers),  whod.  1752,  and  of  whom  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Hobby,  who  then  lived  in  the  Prentiss  house,  in  recording  his 
death,  says:  "He  was  my  kind  and  good  neighbor."  The  late  Thomas 
Poole,  of  Woburn,  father  of  Mrs.  Col.  Hartshorn,  and  the  late  Samuel 
Poole,  of  Boston,  father  of  Mrs.  Capt.  D.  S.  Oliver,  and  of  Mrs.  William 
Burditt,  were  his  grandsons. 

Mr.  Hale  was  not  a  native  of  Reading ;  came,  it  is  understood,  from 
the  vicinity  of  Newbury ;  was  a  man  of  good  character  and  respectable 
abilities.  Hem.,  ist,  1799,  Sarah,  dau.  of  Edmund  and  Sarah  (Brown) 
Eaton,  a  sister  of  Dr.  Joseph  Eaton,  who  was  for  many  years  a  surgeon 
in  the  United  States  service,  and  now  dead.  She  died  in  1809,  and 
he  m.,  2d,  1811,  Sally,  dau.  of  Dea.  James  Hartshorn;  she  d.  1813, 
childless.  He  m.,  3d,  1816,  Amelia  Wheeler,  of  Gloucester.  By  his 
first  wife  he  had  two  children:  Stephen,  b.  1801,  was  a  trader  in  New 
York,  and  d.  unm. ;  Sarah,  who  m.  and  settled  in  Gloucester.  By  his 
third  wife  he  had  several  children,  and  removed  to  Gloucester,  and 
there  died.  He  was  succeeded  on  the  place  by  Leonard  Wiley,  whose 
wife  was  a  niece  of  Mr.  Hale's  first  wife.  Mr.  Wiley  kept  tavern  here 
many  years. 

This  old  inn  was  a  famous  resort  in  former  days.  It  contained  the 
most  spacious  hall  in  the  village,  and  was  the  place  for  dancing  and 
singing  schools,  for  masonic  lodge  meetings,  for  public  dinners,  cau- 
cuses, puppet-shows,  etc.  On  training  days  it  was  head -quarters,  and 
on  holidays  it  was  the  centre  of  attraction  for  bowling,  prop-shaking, 
drinking,  etc.  The  old  house  was  taken  down  in  1865. 

CALEB  EATON  lived  in  the  house  (since  enlarged)  now  occupied  by 
Wid.  Lucinda  Spaulding.  He  was  son  of  Lilley  and  Sarah  (Emerson) 
Eaton,  b.  1773 ;  m.  1800,  Hannah  Blair,  of  Boston,  and  d.  1846,  aged 
72.  Had  chil. :  Caleb,  who  settled  in  Connecticut ;  Victor,  d.  a  young 
man ;  Lucy,  who  m.  Ralph  Pratt,  and  is  now  dead  ;  Noah,  who  m., 
ist,  Hannah  Witherspoon,  and  m.,  2d,  Wid.  Lund ;  Hannah,  who  m. 
E.  S.  Upham,  of  Wakefield.  This  place  was  the  early  homestead  of 
the  Weston  family.  (See  Early  Settlers.)  Ephraim  Weston,  a  grand- 
44 


34.6  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

son  of  John,  the  first  settler,  was  living  on  the  place  in  1760,  and  kept 
a  grocery  store.  After  Mr.  Weston's  death  the  house  was  said  to  be 
"haunted."  (See  Centen.  Poem,  Chap.  X.) 

LILLEY  EATON,  Sen.,  and  his  son,  JACOB  EATON,  lived  in  the  ancient 
mansion  that  recently  stood  at  the  corner  of  Eaton  and  Crescent 
Streets. 

Lilley  Eaton,  Sen.,  was  son  of  Noah  and  Phebe  Eaton  (see  Early 
Settlers),  b.  1738  ;  m.  1762,  Sarah,  dau.  of  Dea.  Brown  Emerson,  and  d. 
1812,  aged  73.  Hiswid.  d.  1821,  aged  80.  They  had  chil. :  Sarah,  b. 
1763,  and  m.  Joseph  Boutwell,  of  Amherst,  N.  H. ;  Lucy,  b.  1765,  and* 
d.  of  consumption  in  1807  ;  Susanna,  b.  1766,  and  d.  1828,  of  dropsy; 
Lilley,  b.  1768;  Jacob,  b.  1771  ;  Caleb,  b.  1773;  Phebe,  b.  1777,  and  m. 
Cornelius  Sweetser;  Hannah,  b.  1779,  and  m.  1801,  Lemuel  Sweetser, 
Esq.,  Catharine,  b.  1781,  and  m.  Benj.  Badger,  Esq.  Jacob  Eaton,  afore- 
said, who  occupied  at  this  time  a  part  of  the  same  mansion  with  his 
father,  m.  1796,  Rebecca  Holmes,  of  Bridgewater,  who  d.  1838;  and 
m.  2d,  1838,  the  wid.  of  his  brother  Lilley;  he  d.  1858,  aged  87. 

He  was  one  of  the  founders,  and,  for  more  than  half  a  century,  a  dea- 
con of  the  Baptist  church.  A  memoir  of  his  life  has  been  published, 
which  truly  says  of  him,  "  that  he  was  of  noble  person  and  noble  intel- 
lect, and  long  stood  in  the  front  rank  of  our  citizens,  esteemed  for  his 
integrity,  venerated  for  his  wisdom,  and  beloved  for  his  goodness."  He 
had  children:  Zenas,  b.  1797;  m.  1825,  Lois  Smith;  was  a  Baptist 
deacon,  and  is  now  dead;  Rebecca  Ames,  b.  1799,  and  m.  1827,  Jona. 
P.  Lund,  and  now  lives  in  New  Bedford  ;  Sarah,  b.  1802,  and  m.  1823, 
Abel  F.  Knight,  and  is  now  dead  ;  Olive,  b.  1805,  and  m.  1839,  Wm. 
G.  Skinner,  of  Wakefield  ;  Jacob,  b.  1808,  and  m.  1833,  Louisa  At- 
well,  and  settled  in  Cambridge  ;  is  a  deacon,  etc. ;  David,  b.  April  29, 
1811  ;  m.  Dec.  25,  1833,  Lucinda  Barnard,  and  d.  Oct.  4,  1837 ;  Abbie 
Davis,  b.  1818,  and  m.  1840,  B.  F.  Bancroft,  of  Wakefield. 

This  old  mansion  was  formerly  the  homestead  of  a  branch  of  the 
Poole  family ;  was  sold  by  Zachariah  Poole  to  Benjamin  Gibson,  of 
Boston,  who  sold  to  Noah  Eaton. 

BURRAGE  YALE  lived  in  the  mansion  occupied-by  him  at  the  time  of 
his  decease,  and  which  is  now  owned  by  Chas.  H.  Stearns,  on  the 
corner  of  Main  Street  and  Yale  Avenue. 

This  house  was  built  by  Daniel  Sweetser,  a  brother  of  the  late  John 
Sweetser,  Esq.,  about  the  year  1800.  Mr.  Daniel  Sweetser  was  the 
father  of  Samuel  Sweetser,  of  Cambridge,  and  other  children  now 
deceased. 

Mr.  Yale  was  a  native  of  Meriden,  Ct. ;  born  March  27,  1781.     He 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  347 

was  son  of  Amerton  and  Sarah  (Meriman)  Yale,  and  was  descended 
through  said  Amerton  Yale,  b.  1756  ;  Nash  Yale,  b.  1715  ;  John  Yale, 
b.  1687  ;  and  Capt  Thomas  Yale,  b.  about  1647,  an  early  settler  of  New 
Haven,  Ct. 

Mr.  Yale  came  to  this  town  about  1810 ;  he  commenced  business  as 
a  tin  pedler,  and  used  after  to  boast  that  his  first  entry  into  South 
Reading  was  on  barefoot,  by  the  side  of  his  tin  cart.  He  commenced 
the  manufacture  of  tin-ware  in  this  town  in  a  small  shop  that,  until  very 
lately,  stood  near  what  is  now  the  corner  of  Common  and  Lafayette 
Streets.  He  gradually  enlarged  his  business  until  he  became  one  of 
the  heaviest  tin-ware  dealers  in  the  State,  employing  a  hundred  pedlers. 
In  1812  or  '13,  he  opened  an  extensive  country  store  in  his  dwelling, 
house,  which  he  continued  for  some  years ;  his  brother,  Eli  A.  Yale, 
lately  of  Charlestown,  and  his  brother-in-law,  Asa  L.  Boardman,  were 
his  clerks.  He  was  also  a  wholesale  dealer  in  tin-plate  and  other  arti- 
cles. During  the  last  war  with  England  he  invested  largely  in  a  com- 
modity, which  he  still  held  at  the  declaration  of  peace,  by  which  purchase 
he  got  pretty  well  gummed;  he  declared,  however,  that  he  would  keep 
the  article  until  the  price  should  come  up  to  cost;  if  he  did  thus  hold 
on,  it  is  presumed  he  left  gum  arabic  among  his  effects  at  his  decease. 

Mr.  Yale  was  a  shrewd  and  accomplished  business  man,  rigidly 
prompt  and  exact  in  all  his  payments,  and  equally  so  in  the  collection 
of  his  debts ;  was  a  careful  and  skilful  accountant ;  nice  in  his  calcula- 
tions, systematic  in  the  arrangement  of  his  business,  wise  and  sagacious 
in  the  selection  of  agents,  scrutinizing,  attentive,  and  watchful  of  all  de- 
partments of  his  work,  and  liberal  in  providing  for,  and  compensating, 
his  employees  ;  he  therefore  amassed  a  great  estate. 

Mr.  Yale  had  some  peculiarities  and  some  faults  ;  and  who  has  not  ? 
He  was  accused  of  being  proud,  haughty,  and  ambitious;  despotic 
among  his  clerks,  journeymen,  and  apprentices";  dictatorial  in  his  family, 
ungentle  to  his  wives  and  children,  and  unmerciful  to  his  debtors. 

He  may  have  been  so  to  some  extent,  for  such  were  the  tenacity  and 
thoroughness  with  which  he  put  through  his  plans  and  calculations, 
that  whatever  project  he  started,  like  the  car  of  Juggernaut,  must  roll 
on  to  completion  in  spite  of  all  opposition.  These  traits  of  character 
would  be  likely  to  make  enemies.  It  is  remembered  that  he  once  ren- 
dered himself  so  odious  to  a  portion  of  the  people,  partly  by  his  lofty 
demeanor,  but  mainly  by  his  unrelenting  endeavors  to  collect  his  dues, 
that  on  a  certain  night  he  was  hung  in  effigy  upon  one  of  the  old  oaks 
on  the  common,  and  then  consumed  in  a  great  funeral  pyre,  amid  -the 
shouts  of  the  crowd ;  and  on  the  succeeding  morning  might  be  read,  in 


348  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

bold  relief  upon  a  board  nailed  high  upon  the  oak,  these  words  in 

epitaph :  — 

"  This  great  and  mighty  lord,  he  is  no  more  ! " 

But  in  contrast  with  these  traits  of  character,  there  was  a  pleasing 
side.  He  was  dignified,  polite,  and  hospitable  ;  oftimes  a  social,  agree- 
able, and  instructive  companion.  We  have  listened  with  much  pleasure 
and  profit  to  the  narrative  of  his  struggles  with  poverty  in  his  early  life  ; 
his  pursuit  of  knowledge  under  difficulties ;  his  perseverance  under 
many  discouragements  in  establishing  himself  in  "business  ;  and  his 
constant  and  unswerving  efforts,  at  almost  any  sacrifice,  to  acquire  and 
maintain  a  credit  for  perfect  punctuality  and  exact  honesty  in  all  his 
dealings.  Such  a  credit  he  did  gain  and  ever  held.  He  was,  moreover, 
a  man  of  neatness,  system,  and  order ;  possessed  a  good  stock  of 
native  intelligence,  and  was  well  read  in  political  economy  and  general 
knowledge. 

He  was  a  friend  and  patron  of  education,  spirited  and  liberal  towards 
public  improvements.  Although  he  was  ambitious,  he  was  not  very  for- 
tunate in  obtaining  public  office  ;  he  was  occasionally  a  candidate  for 
the  State  Legislature,  for  which  he  was  highly  qualified  in  some 
respects,  but  his  severe  exactness  in  little  trivial  matters,  even  with 
friends  and  relatives,  ever  kept  him  unpopular  and  unsuccessful.  He 
was  town  treasurer  for  a  year  or  two,  and  a  justice  of  the  peace  for 
several  years. 

He  m.,  ist,  in  1808,  Sarah  Smith,  dau.  of  Col.  Amos  Boardman  ; 
she  d.  in  1844,  aged  60.  We  shall  ever  bear  this  lady  in  affec- 
tionate remembrance  as  our  earliest  and  kindest  instructress  at  the 
Centre  school.  She  was  a  faithful  teacher,  and  our  memory  of  her  in 
that  capacity  is  most  pleasant.  In  after-life  she  was  ever  a  most 
worthy  and  valuable  woman.  His  second  wife  was  Wid.  Wyman 
Richardson,  of  Woburn,  a  most  estimable  lady,  who  chose  soon  to  sepa- 
rate from  him,  and  went  to  live  with  her  relations  in  Connecticut.  His 
children,  all  by  his  first  wife,  were  :  Sarah  A.,  who  m.  Rev.  William 
Heath,  of  South  Reading ;  Lucillia  T.,  who  m.  Rev.  Nathan  Munroe,  of 
Bradford ;  Octavia  A.,  who  m.  Rev.  Geo.  P.  Smith,  of  Woburn.  These 
daughters  were  amiable,  intelligent,  and  accomplished  women,  and  vir- 
tuous members  of  society.  They  are  now  all  dead.  Burrage  Buchanan, 
the  only  son,  married  a  dau.  of  Maj.  Daniel  Flint,  of  North  Reading, 
who  died  soon.  He  is  now  a  merchant  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and 
again  married.  Mr.  Yale,  senior,  died  1860,  aged  79. 

THOMAS  BRYANT  lived  in  the  house  now  owned  and  occupied 
by  Edward  Mansfield,  Esq.  It  was  erected  by  Mr.  Bryant  about 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


349 


1800.  He  was  the  son  of  Timothy  Bryant,  grandson  of  Timothy 
and  Susanna  (Goodwin)  Bryant,  and  great-grandson  of  Wm.  Bryant, 
Esq.  (see  Early  Settlers).  He  was  born  about  1769  ;  m.  1798,  Nancy, 
dau.  of  Thos.  Rayner,  and  d.  1857,  aged  88.  His  wife  d.  1842,  aged 
73.  His  chil.  were  :  Mary  Ann,  who  d.  1843,  aged  44,  unm.,  and 
Thomas,  who  m.  Laura,  dau.  of  Abraham  Sweetser,  and  d.  a  young 
man. 

Mr.  Bryant  was  a  bricklayer  by  trade,  and  a  quiet,  intelligent,  and 
honest  man. 

AARON  BRYANT  lived  on  the  spot  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in 
1870,  in  a  small  house  that  he  afterwards  enlarged  and  improved.  He 
was  the  son  of  Edmund  and  Hannah  (Hay)  Bryant,  and  was  born  in 
New  Ipswich,  N.  H.,  in  1783;  was  grandson  of  Kendall  and  Mary 
(Parker)  Bryant  of  Reading,  and  great-grandson  of  Kendall ,  and  Eliz- 
abeth (Swain)  Bryant  (see  Early  Settlers).  He  m.  1806,  Rebecca 
Poole,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  Emerson;  she  d.  1866, 
aged  82.  They  had  no  children.  He  was  deacon  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church  for  more  than  half  a  century. 

Dea.  Bryant  was  a  man  of  intelligence,  industry,  honesty,  and  worth. 
Modest  and  unassuming  in  his  disposition  and  manners,  he  sought  no 
lofty  stations,  but  in  the  humble  sphere  in  which  he  preferred  to  move, 
he  was  ever  the  wise  counsellor,  the  faithful  friend,  the  upright  man. 

The  predecessors  of  Dea.  Bryant  on  this  place  were  Nathan  Eaton, 
who  was  there  in  1795,  and  James  Barrett,  who  was  there  in  1765. 

Mr.  Nathan  Eaton,  above  named,  b.  1748,  probably  the  son  of 
Nathan,  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Revolution  ;  was  a  man  of  great 
physical  proportions,  so  that  it  became  a  proverbial  comparison  to 
say,  "  as  big  as  Mr.  Nathan  Eaton."  He  was  father  of  Capt.  Nathan, 
Ezra,  and  John  Eaton,  late  of  Boston,  who  built  the  Eaton  tomb 
and  monument  in  our  town  burying-ground,  in  which  Lieut.  Eaton 
was  laid. 

JOHN  RAYNER  lived  in  a  large  two  and  a  half  storied,  and  rather 
peculiarly  shaped  dwelling,  that  stood  at  the  corner  of  what  is  now 
Main  and  Chestnut  Streets,  where  is  now  Mrs.  Dr.  J.  G.  Brown's  gar- 
den. He  was  son  of  Thomas  and  Abigail  Rayner,  who  removed  to 
Reading  from  Charlestown  in  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  and  pur- 
chased the  place  in  question. 

He,  Thomas,  was  the  son  of  John  and  Anne  (Rand)  Rayner,  of 
Charlestown,  and  was  born  there  in  1740.  He  kept  a  public  house  for 
many  years,  and  from  the  habit  of  keeping  a  bar,  acquired  a  fondness 
for  its  dispensations  that  influenced  his  latter  days.  When  Rev.  Mr. 


350  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Emerson  was  about  being  settled  as  minister  of  the  first  parish,  he  was 
violently  opposed  to  it,  and  boldly  expressed  "  the  hope  that  he  should 
never  live  to  see  that  day."  His  hope  was  realized  ;  he  died  Oct. 
17,  1804,  aged  64,  a  few  days  before  Mr.  Emerson's  installation.  His 
wife  d.  1792,  aged  45. 

John  Rayner  was  a  baker,  as  was  his  father  before  him.  Their 
bakery  stood  near  the  spot  now  occupied  by  Day's  bake-house.  Mr. 
John  was  intelligent  and  industrious,  of  strong  prejudices,  but  peace- 
able and  honorable.  He  m.  1789,  Mary,  dau.  of  Joshua  and  Mary 
Eaton.  He  d.  1833,  aged  67. 

His  wife  survived  him  many  years  ;  was  a  woman  of  uncommon 
energy  and  spirit.  Their  children  were  :  John,  b.  1791 ;  in  early  life 
a  sailor;  m.  in  1819  or  '20,  Sophia  Gerry,  of  Stoneham ;  opened  a 
grocery  store  in  connection  with  his  brother-in-law,  Joshua  Burnham, 
on  the  site  of  his  father's  bakery ;  was  the  first  postmaster  of  South 
Reading ;  was  town  clerk  and  selectman  for  several  years ;  failed  in 
business  ;  became  discouraged,  and  died  poor  in  1834,  aged  42  ;  Mary,  b. 
1795  ;  was  lovely,  intelligent,  and  accomplished  ;  married  Capt.  Joshua 
Burnham,  son  of  Col.  Joshua ;  was  mother  of  the  late  Rev.Joshua,  and  of 
Mary  R.,  both  of  whom,  with  their  parents,  died  young ;  Jacob,  b.  1799  ; 
was  a  quiet,  genteel  young  man.  He  formed  a  connection  in  business 
with  Jacob  Evans ;  traded  at  the  South  ;  did  a  dashing  rather  than  a 
profitable  business ;  became  involved  in  debt,  and  with  his  partner, 
suddenly  and  mysteriously  disappeared  many  years  ago.  They  went, 
it  is  supposed,  to  South  America,  and  have  not  since  been  heard  from. 
Thomas,  b.  1804;  m.  1831,  Rachel  Williams;  was  clerk  for  his  brother 
John,  and  died  several  years  since. 

John  Rayner,  Sen.,  erected  the  house  which  was  enlarged  by  Wm. 
L.  Brown,  Esq.,  and  which  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Rayner  and  by  his 
widow  up  to  the  times,  respectively,  of  their  deaths.  The  old  two  and 
a  half  storied  house,  was  formerly  the  residence  of  Col.  Ebenezer 
Nichols  and  of  Wm.  Bryant,  Esq.  Col.  Nichols  was  a  surveyor,  and 
made  a  map  of  the  First  Parish/  of  Reading,  as  it  was  before  the  incor- 
poration of  the  West  Parish,  on  which  the  location  of  each  house  then 
standing,  with  the  name  of  the  owner  or  occupant,  was  noted,  copies 
of  which  are  still  preserved.  The  Bryant  family,  above  named,  re- 
moved more  than  a  hundred  years  ago  to  Sudbury.  The  old  house, 
after  the  removal  of  Rayner  to  his  new  house,  was  occupied,  succes- 
sively, by  Col.  Joshua  Burnham,  Timothy  Sweetser,  Wm.  Hutchinson, 
and  others,  and  finally  gave  place  to  a  new  house,  that  was  built  by 
Reuben  Gerry,  who  was  succeeded  by  Daniel  Norcross,  and  while 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


351 


occupied  by  Norcross  was  burned  down.     A  grocery  store  was  kept 
therein. 

ARCHIBALD  SMITH  lived  in  the  house  built  by  himself  in  1807,  the 
same  in  which  he  lived  until  his  death ;  was  son  of  Capt.  David  Smith ; 
b.  1779;  m.  1804,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Benj.  and  Elizabeth  Emerson  ; 
died  1866,  aged  87.  He  was  captain,  town  treasurer,  and  a  very  indus- 
trious, peaceable,  and  honest  citizen.  Chil. :  Arch,  b.  1806,  and  m. 
1854,  Sarah  Weston,  of  Reading,  and  d.  Aug.  29,  1872  ;  Peter,  b. 
1809,  and  m.  1834,  Nancy  Weston,  of  Reading,  and  d.  March  30, 1873  ; 
Warren,  b.  1812  ;  is  unm. ;  and  others,  who  d.  young. 

SAMUEL  WILEY  lived  at  the  corner  of  what  is  now  Main  and  Albion 
Streets. 

He  was  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Mary  (Eaton)  Wiley,  b.  1772;  m. 
1794,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  John  and  Lydia  (Nichols)  Vinton ;  was  a  car- 
penter, d.  1832.  Chil.:  Samuel,  b.  1796;  m.  1817,  Mary,  dau.  of 
Hananiah  and  Molly  (Pope)  Parker;  was  captain  of  the  "Rifle 
Grays";  possessed  a  native  gift  for  singing;  removed  to  Hartford, 
Ct.,  and  d.  1837,  aged  41  ;  John,  b.  1799  ;  m.  1818,  Harriet,  dau.  of 
Timothy  and  Pamela  Sweetser,  and  lives  in  Wakefield  ;  Ira,  b.  1802  ; 
m.,  ist,  1825,  Lucetta,  dau.  of  Benj.  Gerry,  of  Stoneham ;  m.,  2d, 
I853,  Wid.  Mary  B.  Emerson,  and  lives  in  Wakefield  ;  Betsey,  b.  1804, 
and  m.  1826,  Solomon  Alden,  of  Cambridge,  and  d.  1832  ;  Adam,  b. 
1806,  and  m.  1831,  Eunice,  dau.  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Nichols  ; 
lives  in  Wakefield ;  Louisa  was  a  milliner,  and  d.  unm. ;  Rebecca,  m. 
A.  N.  Sweetser,  and  d.  early  ;  Mary  died  young. 

The  house  then  (1812)  standing  upon  this  site  was  built  by  Mr. 
Wiley,  in  or  about  1806 ;  was  partially  burned  down,  but  was  soon  re- 
built. Mr.  Wiley  was  a  very  industrious,  kind-hearted,  and  honest 
man. 

In  subsequent  years,  after  Mr.  Wiley's  death,  the  house  was  greatly 
enlarged,  a  spacious  hall  was  added,  and  it  was  kept  by  Wiley's  sons, 
and  others,  as  a  public  house,  for  several  years.  Afterwards  it  was 
removed  to  the  main  house  to  the  corner  of  Railroad  and  Avon  Streets, 
and  is  now  owned  by  Dr.  W.  H.  Willis  ;  the  hall  part,  a  short  distance 
westerly  on  Albion  Street,  and  has  been  occupied  for  billiard  and  re- 
freshment saloons,  etc.  It  has  -recently  become  the  property  of  the 
Methodist  society.  The  hall  has  been  fitted  up  for  a  place  of  worship 
for  said  society,  and  the  lower  story  is  used,  the  front  for  an  uphol- 
stery store,  and  the  rear  for  a  dwelling.  This  old  site  is  memorable 
as  having  been  the  place  of  the  first  parsonage,  and  the  residence  of 
Rev.  Messrs.  Haugh,  Brock,  and  Pierpont.  An  old  iron  "  fire  back," 


352 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


used  in  place  of  a  "back-log,"  was  found  by  Samuel  Wiley  in  the  old 
tenement  that  stood  on  this  site,  with  the  letters  "J.  B."  and  "  S.  B.," 
the  initials  of  the  names  of  Parson  Brock  and  his  wife,  cast  thereon, 
made  at  the  foundery  that  was  once  operated  at  Woodville  (Little 
World). 

The  old  tenement,  after  the  decease  of  Parson  Pierpont,  became  the 
property  of  John  Vinton,  from  Stoneham  (see  Early  Settlers),  who  m. 
Lydia  (dau.  of  John  Nichols,  of  the  Noah  Smith  place,  opposite),  and 
settled  on  this  place.  Mr.  Vinton  kept  tavern,  and  was  noted  for 
eccentricities. 

JOSEPH  BRYANT  lived  in  the  northerly  part  of  an  old  dwelling  that 
stood  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  late  Dr.  S.  O.  Richardson's 
bowling  saloon  •  he  was  son  of  Timothy,  grandson  of  Timothy,  and 
great-grandson  of  William,  Esq.  He  m.  1803,  Mary  G.  McLeod,  of 
Shirley,  and  removed  from  town  many  years  ago.  Timothy  Bryant,  the 
father  of  Joseph,  had  occupied  the  same  tenement  and  died  there,  and 
at  his  funeral  one  of  the  bearers  (Benjamin  Walton)  became  intoxi- 
cated, and  while  carrying  the  body  to  the  grave  stumbled  and  fell,  and 
the  coffin  came  to  the  ground  and  burst  open. 

CORNELIUS  SWEETSER  lived  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  build- 
ing recentlyr  known  as  the  "  Quannapowitt  House."  He  was  son  of 
Michael  and  Mary  Sweetser,  born  1749;  m.,  ist,  1771,  Sarah  Smith, 
dau.  of  Thomas,  of  Lynn,  and  a  descendant  of  Dea.  Francis  and  Ruth 
(see  Early  Settlers)  ;  m.,  2d,  1803,  Sarah  Hill,  of  Stoneham. 

Mr.  Sweetser  was  intelligent,  but  very  eccentric  and  peculiar. 
He  thought  it  no  harm  to  take  from  rich  Peter  to  give  to  poor 
Paul.  He  was  an  enthusiastic  religionist,  •  fluent  and  unrestrained 
in  prayer,  and  ready  to  "  become  all  things  to  all  men "  ;  with  the 
orthodox,  so  called,  he  was  orthodox ;  with  the  liberal  he  was  liberal. 
For  many  years  he  was  a  valuable  aid  to  the  highway  surveyors,  for  he 
employed  himself  often  and  extensively  in  clearing  the  roads  of 
stones.  He  had  a  considerable  farm  connected  with  the  building 
which  he  inherited  from  Capt.  Cornelius  Wotton,  who  made  him  his 
heir,  and  for  whom  he  seems  to  have  been  named.  This  Cornelius 
Wotton  had  been  a  sea-captain,  and  had  retired  to  this  farm  to  spend 
his  declining  years,  and  died  here  in  1771,  aged  61. 

This  place  was  originally  the  residence  of  Wm.  Cowdrey,  one  of  the 
earliest  inhabitants.  Mr.  Sweetser,  many  years  before  his  death,  con- 
veyed the  place  to  his  grandson,  Stephen  Sweetser,  the  late  occupant, 
in  consideration  of  a  maintenance  during  life. 

Mr.  Sweetser  died  1845,  aged  96.     His  children  were :  Sarah,  b. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


353 


1773,  and  m.  Joseph  Eaton ;  Abigail,  b.  1775  ;  Cornelius,  b.  1778,  and 
m.  Phebe  Eaton;  Wm.,  b.  1780;  a  dau.,  b.  1784;  Seth,  b.  1787  ; 
George,  b.  1792,  and  m.  Mary  Edmands. 


CAPT.  NOAH    SMITH. 

NOAH  SMITH  lived  near  the  corner  of  Main  and  Water  Streets,  where 
he  continued  to  live  until  his  death.  He  was  the  son  of  Capt.  David 
and  Mary  (Smith)  Smith,  and  was  born  1775  ;  he  d.  1859,  aged  84. 
His  father,  Capt.  David,  was  the  son  of  Cooler  Smith,  of  Amherst,  N. 
H.,  and  died  1809,  aged  62.  His  mother  was  dau.  of  Ebenezer  and 
Mary  (Green)  Smith,  and  d.  1840,  aged  90. 

Noah  Smith  had  been  captain  (of  cavalry),  selectman,  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  representative.  He  succeeded  his  father  on  this  place.  • 
He  m.,  ist,  1799,  Mary,  dau.  of  Paul  and  Mary  Sweetser.  She  died 
1816,  aged  42.  He  m.,  2d,  1821,  Mrs.  Mary  (Damon)  Willard,  of  Lan- 
caster. She  d.  1859,  aged  74.  Chil.  :  Noah,  b.  1800,  who  lived  in 
Calais,  Me.,*  in  1868  ;  was  a  deacon,  speaker  of  the  Maine  House  of 
Representatives,  secretary  of  the  United  States  Senate,  etc.  etc. ;  Mary, 
b.  1802,  m.  1822,  Dea.  Robert  C.  Wiley,  of  Wakefield ;  Louisa,  b.  1805, 
m.  1837,  Rev.  James  F.  Wilcox, of  New  York;  Laura,  b.  1807, m.  1833, 
Rev.  Levi  Walker,  Jr.,  of  Connecticut ;  Charlotte,  b.  1810,  m.  1831,  Har- 

*  Recently  deceased. 
45 


354 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


HON.   NOAH    SMITH,  JR. 

rison  Tweed,  Esq.,  now  of  Taunton ;  Francis,  b.  1812,  of  Brown  Uni., 
1837,  became  a  clergyman  and  settled  in  Providence,  R.  I. ;  Albina, 
b.  1816,  m.  1836,  James  Boyce,  Esq.,  of  Providence,  R.  I. ;  Henry 
Damon,  b.  1822,  now  lives  in  Wakefield ;  m.,  ist,  Mary  A.  Flint ;  m., 
2d,  1855,  Annie  S.  Sanborn,  of  Worcester. 

Capt.  Noah  was  a  man  of  great  vivacity,  intelligence,  and  public 
spirit ;  was  remarkable  for  the  inexhaustable  fund  of  witty  anecdote 
and  lively  story  with  which  his  memory  was  stored,  and  having  a  large 
development  of  the  organs  of  language  and  mirthfulness,  he  would 
relate  them  with  great  relish  to  himself  and  much  delight  to  his  hearers. 
He  was  noted  for  his  strong  attachments,  whether  of  country,  state, 
town,  society,  or  family.  He  appreciated  the  value  of  early  education 
for  all,  and  took  especial  care  that  his  own  children  should  enjoy  all 
the  opportunities  for  acquiring  knowledge  within  his  ability. 

This  old  seat  is  famous  for  having  been  the  property,  and  probably 
the  residence,  of  Samuel  Haugh,  the  second  minister  of  Reading  (see 
Early  Settlers).  It  remained  in  possession  of  his  descendants  until  it 
was  sold  about  one  hundred  years  ago  by  Thomas  Nichols,  a  great- 
grandson  of  Rev.  Mr.  Haugh,  to  Capt.  David  Smith.  This  old  house 
was  removed  to  a  spot  farther  east,  to  give  room  for  the  new  Wakefield 
Hall,  in  1869. 

ABRAHAM  SWEETSER  lived  in  a  house  built  by  himself,  still  known  as 
the  "  Abraham  Sweetser  house,"  and  now  owned  by  heirs  of  Cyrus 
Wakefield.  He  was  born  in  1781  ;  was  son  of  Paul  and  Mary  (Hart) 
Sweetser ;  m.  1806,  Lydia,  dau.  of  Jeremiah  and  Martha  (Smith)  Brown? 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


355 


who  d.  1865,  aged  83.  He  had  several  intelligent  and  worthy  chil- 
dren, who,  with  their  mother,  all  died  before  the  father.  Several 
grandchildren  survive. 

Mr.  Sweetser  was  a  bright,  high-spirited  man,  active  and  enterpris- 
ing in  his  early  life ;  an  extensive  shoe  manufacturer,  but  failing  in 
business,  and  losing  his  wife  soon  after,  he  became  discouraged,  relin- 
quished business,  and  thereafter  lived  a  quiet,  unobtrusive  life. 

PAUL  SWEETSER,  Sen.,  lived  on  the  spot  where  now  stands  the  pala- 
tial residence  of  the  late  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Esq.,  in  a  house  that  has' 
been  recently  removed  to  Water  Street,  and  is  now  used  as  a  tenement 
house.  He  was  son  of  Michael  and  Mary  (Smith)  Sweetser;  born 
1743;  m.,  ist,  Mary,  dau.  of  John  Hart,  Esq.,  of  Ipswich;  m.,  2d, 
1791,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Ebenezer  and  Hepzibeth  Smith,  and  wid.  of 
Israel  Walton  ;  he  d.  1824,  aged  80.  Children  by  first  wife  :  Lemuel, 
Paul,  Abraham,  Mary,  and  one  or  more,  who  d.  young ;  and  by  second 
wife :  Clarissa,  who  m.  Josiah  Green,  of  Salisbury,  N.  H. ;  Eunice,  b. 
April  16,  1796,  who  m.  Timothy  Bailey,  of  Maiden  ;  Cyrus,  b.  Feb.  18, 

1803,  who  settled  in  Portland,  Me. 

Mr.  Sweetser  was  a  man  of  intelligence  and  respectability ;  was 
school  committeeman  and  selectman.  For  the  day  in  which  he  lived, 
he  was  a  considerable  orchardist ;  he  raised  abundantly  the  best  apples 
that  were  raised  in  the  town.  He  owned  a  part  of  "  Walk  Hill,"  so 
called,  a  ridge  of  land  then  extending  from-the  river,  by  the  late  Leonard 
Wiley's,  southerly  on  Main  Street,  and  easterly  on  bNahant  Street,  and 
all  along  its  base,  where,  owned  by  Mr.  Sweetser,  was  a  continuous 
row  of  apple-trees,  which  bore  choice  fruit,  among  which  was  a  plenti- 
ful supply  of  the  old  "Ben  "  apple,  one  of  the  best  varieties  ;  and  on 
his  early  fruits  we  well  remember  that  the  children  used  to  regale  them- 
selves when  they  went  to  gather  whortleberries,  which  formerly  grew 
where  are  now  the  residences  and  gardens  of  Samuel  Gardner,  William 
Batcheller,  Albert  G.  Sweetser,  and  others. 

ADAM  HAWKES,  Jr.,  lived  in  a  small  house  that  stood  on  the  spot 
where  now  stands  the  mansion  of  the  present  Adam  Hawkes,  who  was 
a  son  of  said  Adam  Hawkes,  Jr.  Adam  Hawkes,  Jr.,  was  son  of  Adam 
Hawkes,  of  Saugus  ;  m.  1802,  Martha,  dau.  of  Jeremiah  and  Martha 
Green  ;  was  an  honest,  sensible,  and  quiet  citizen.  Chil. :  Martha,  b. 

1804,  and  m.  Andrew  Stone,  and  is  now  dead  ;  Adam,  b.  1806,  and  m., 
ist,  1828,  Mary  Alden,  and  2d,  Susan  Dean;    Davis  W.,  b.   1808,  and 
m.  1833,  Lucretia  Tweed,  now  dead;  Hannah,  m.,  tst,  Win.  J.  Patch; 
2d, Wyman  ;  3d,  Andrew  Stone,  her  sister's  widower ;  John. 

This  small  house  was  at  this  timj  owned  by  Pomp  Putamia,  a  colored 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

man,  son  of  "  Titus,"  of  Stoneham,  and  was  formerly  a  slave  to  Noah 
Eaton,  became  free  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  accumulated  con- 
siderable property,  which  he  bequeathed  to  charitable  objects,  and  died 
1817,  aged  59.  Pomp  was  intelligent,  modest,  and  unassuming,  and 
highly  respectable.  His  predecessor  on  the  place  was  Reuben  Eaton, 
son  of  Noah,  who  m.  a  sister  of  Dr.  Hart,  and  who  d.  1810,  aged  64. 

A  family  of  Felches  formerly  occupied  this  place.  Samuel  Felch  was 
living  here  in  1760.  Hannah  Felch,  wid.  of  Henry,  one  of  the  first  set- 
tlers, died  on  this  place  in  1717,  aged  100  years,  nearly,  who  had  lived 
in  the  town  more  than  seventy  years.  Mrs.  Mary  Sweetser,  wid.  of 
Michael  Sweetser,  dau.  of  Isaac  Smith,  and  who  was  born  1710,  and 
consequently  was  seven  years  old  at  Mother  Felch's  decease,  living  at 
the  next  door  south  (where  A.  N.  Sweetser  now  lives),  could  well  re- 
member old  Mother  Felch.  Mrs.  Sweetser  lived  to  be  ninety-six  years 
old,  dying  in  1806  ;  and  there  are  those  now  living  who  can  well 
remember  Mrs.  Sweetser ;  so  that  the  memory  of  three  single  persons 
stretches  from  the  incorporation  of  the  town  to  the  present  time  —  more 
than  two  hundred  and  twenty  years. 

CALEB  FOSTER  lived  on  the  place  now  belonging  to  his  heirs,  near 
the  Salem  Branch  Railroad  crossing,  in  a  house  built  by  himself.  He 
was  a  descendant  of  Samuel  Foster,  an  early  settler  (see  Early  Set- 
tlers) ;  m.  1807,  Nancy,  daii.  of  Benj.  and  Elizabeth  Emerson  ;  was  a 
carpenter ;  an  industrious,  prompt,  decided,  straightforward  man ;  he 
d.  1850,  aged  62;  his  wife  d.  the  same  year,  aged  61.  Children: 
Nancy,  b.  1809  ;  m.  Joshua  Eaton ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1811;  Rebecca,  b. 
1813,  and  d.  1817  ;  Caleb  Emery,  m.  Caroline  Swain  ;  Rebecca. 

PAUL  SWEETSER,  Jr.,  lived  on  the  place  now  owned  and  occupied  by 
his  son,  Asa  Newhall  Sweetser ;  he  was  son  of  Paul  Sweetser,  Sen.,  b. 
1780;  m.  1806,  Sarah  Newhall,  of  Lynnfield,  sister  of  the  late  Hon. 
Asa  T.  Newhall ;  he  d.  1853,  aged  72. 

Mr.  Sweetser  was  a  man  of  high  reputation  for  sincerity,  integrity,  and 
good  sense  ;  had  many  of  the  peculiar  traits  of  his  family,  such  as  a 
careful  and  exact  observation  of  passing  events,  and  a  warm  apprecia- 
tion of  his  own  belongings,  but  withal  very  modest,  retiring,  and  unas- 
suming. His  wife  was  a  very  intelligent  and  worthy  woman,  but  of 
manners  more  bold  and  fearless  than  her  husband. 

This  place  was  the  homestead  of  his  grandfather,  Michael  Sweetser, 
who  came  from  Charlestown  or  Maiden,  was  son  of  Samuel,  of  Maiden, 
and  was  the  first  settler  in  town  by  the  name  of  Sweetser.  Michael 
m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Isaac  Smith,  from  whom,  through  his  wife,  he  became 
possessed  of  this  place.  He  had  thirteen  children,  eleven  of  whom 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


357 


lived  to  have  families  of  their  own  ;  their  names  are  preserved  in  an- 
cient verse :  — 

"  Sammy  and  Billy,  Mike  and  Moll, 
Sally  and  Lydia,  Patt  and  Paul, 
'Nelius  and  Abbie,  and  our  little  Betty." 

Children  of  Paul,  Jr.,  were  :  Paul  Hart,*  b.  1807,  and  m.  Louisa  Fos- 
ter, of  Danvers  ;  has  been  school-teacher,  county  commissioner,  school 
committee,  justice  of  the  peace,  etc.;  d.  in  June,  1871;  Asa  Newhall, 
b.  1809;  m.,  ist,  1832,  Rebecca  V.  Wiley,  and  m.,  2d,  1837,  Eunice 
Smith  ;  Albert  G.,  b.  March  3,  1815,  and  m.  1838,  Elizabeth  Waitt ;  is  a 
deacon ;  Emory  F.,  b.  July  28,  1822,  and  m.  1867,  Josephine  Resterrick. 

JOSHUA  TWEED  lived  in  a  large  ancient-looking  mansion  called  "  Dr. 
Hart's  old  house,"  that  stood  near  the  present  site  of  the  Junction 
Railroad  station;  m.  1801,  Elizabeth  Pratt. 

Mr.  Tweed  was  highly  intelligent,  fond  of  reading,  humorous,  kind- 
hearted,  and  honest ;  was  school  committeeman ;  d.  1846.  Chil.  : 
Joshua  S.,  b.  1802;  became  insane,  and  died  1859;  Rebecca  A.,  b. 
1804;  d.  young;  Harrison,  b.  1806,  resides  in  Taunton ;  has  been  a 
member  of  both  branches  of  the  Massachusetts  Legislature  ;  first  wife 
was  Charlotte,  dau.  of  Noah  Smith,  Esq. ;  Fred  G.,  b.  1808,  d. 
young;  Benjamin  Franklin,  b.  1811  ;  was  recently  a  professor  in 


B.  F.   TWEED. 


Washington  University,  St.  Louis  ;  has  been  professor  in  Tufts  College, 
and   is   now  the  superintendent   of  public   schools   in    Charlestown; 

*  See  sketch  of  his  life  in  Chapter  XV. 


358  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

m.,  ist,  Clara,  dau.  of  Aaron  and  Hannah  (Brown)  Foster,  of 
Danvers  ;  she  d.  1860,  greatly  lamented  ;  he  m.,  2d,  Mary  Jane  Her- 
rick,  a  niece  of  his  first  wife  ;  she  d.  in  1866.  His  only  dau.  m.  J.  W. 
Hammond,  Esq.,  of  Cambridge.  Charles  Austin  is  U.  S.  Judge  in 
Arizona. 

Three  intelligent  and  amiable  daughters  of  Mr.  Tweed,  Elizabeth  C., 
Olive  P.,  and  Caroline  M.,  died  in  early  womanhood ;  Elizabeth  was 
the  wife  of  Orrin  Jones,  and  left  a  dau.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Joseph  M. 
McKay.  Elizabeth  and  Olive  were  successful  school-teachers. 


BENJAMIN     B.    WILEY. 

BENJAMIN  BROWN  WILEY  then  lived  in  this  same  old  house ;  he  now 
lives  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Crescent  Streets  ;  was  son  of  James 
and  Mary  (Bryant)  Wiley,  and  grandson  of  Ebenezer  (see  Early 
Settlers);  was  born  1786;  m.,  ist,  1809,  Keturah,  dau.  of  Jeremiah 
and  Martha  Green  ;  she  died  1846  ;•  m.,  2d,  1848,  Sarah  S.  Morris. 
He  has  been  school  committee,  selectman,  and  justice  of  the  peace. 
Chil.  :  Olive,  b.  1809,  and  m.  1838,  Rev.  Samuel  Randall,  and  is  now 
a  wid.  ;  Emory,  b.  1811,  and  m.  1839,  Abby  S.  Williams,  and  d.  1862  ; 
Benjamin,  b.  1813,  and  m.  1843,  Hannah  P.  Tufts,  and  lives  in  Mai- 
den ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1817,  and  m.  1842,  Jane  Barnard,  and  lives  in 
Wakefield ;  Frederic  Slocpmb,  b.  1819  ;  m.  Tuma  Pierpont,  became  an 
Episcopal  clergyman,  settled  in  New  York  city,  and  died  in  1864,  while 
travelling  in  Europe  for  his  health;  Martha  Green,  b.  1822,  and  m. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  359 

1850,  Orlando  B.  Potter,  Esq.,  counsellor  at  law,  then  of  South  Read 
ing,  now  of  New  York  city. 


RtY.  F.  S.  WILEY. 

This  old  house,  the  erection  of  which  was  probably  coeval  with  the 
first  generation  of  settlers,  was  the  original  homestead  of  the  Reading 
branch  of  the  numerous  Smith  family.  It  occupied  the  spot  where 
Francis  Smith,  who  first  settled  in  Watertown,  but  came  to  Reading 
before  1648,  with  his  sons  John  and  Benjamin,  first  established  himself 
in  Reading.  He  purchased  of  the  Indians,  it  is  said,  for  a  jackknife 
and  some  other  articles  of  cutlery,  a  considerable  tract  of  land,  extend- 
ing from  the  northerly  side  of  the  pond,  from  him  named  "  Smith's 
Pond,"  southeasterly  to  where  the  late  Dea.  Ezekiel  Oliver  lived,  and 
easterly  so  as  to  include  nearly  all  that  portion  of  "  Little  World,"  so 
called,  now  called  "  Woodville,"  which  lies  southerly  of  Saugus  River. 
This  old  Francis  Smith  was  an  innholder,  and  in  1648  had  leave  of 
the  Court  to  "draw  wine  for  travellers."  He  died  in  1650. 

His  son  John  succeeded  to  the  place  ;  was  called  Lieut.  John  ;  his 
wife  was  Catharine,  dau.  of  Isaac  Morrill,  of  Roxbury.  Lieut.  John 
was  succeeded  by  his  son  Francis,  who  was  born  1658  ;  m.  Ruth 
Maverick,  of  Charlestown  ;  was  deacon,  selectman,  town  clerk,  etc., 
and  d.  1744,  aged  85. 

On  this  place  first  grew  the  South  Reading  fruit,  called  the  "  Ben  " 
apple,  so  named  from  Benja.  Smith,  a  son  of  the  first  settler,  and  also 
the  "  Jehoaden  apple,"  so  called  from  said  Benjamin's  wife,  who  was 


360  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Jehoaden  Palfrey,  a  dau.  of  Peter  Palfrey,  who  removed  from  Salem  to 
Reading. 

Dea.  Francis  Smith  above  named,  had  six  sons  and  three  daughters. 
These  sons  all  settled  on  the  "  Smith  Tract "  of  land,  as  follows : 
Elias,  on  the  late  Dr.  Hart  place,  from  which  the  house  has  recently 
been  removed  to  Crescent  Street ;  John,  where  the  almshouse  now  is  ; 
James,  where  Wid.  Dea.  Oliver  now  lives ;  Abraham,  on  the  late  Low- 
ell Emerson  place ;  Isaac,  where  Asa  N.  Sweetser  now  lives,  including 
the  farm  of  the  late  Paul  Sweetser,  Sen.  He  appears  to  have  pur- 
chased of  his  brother  Elias,  the  Dr.  Hart  place,  and  was  living  there 
in  1765  ;  Benjamin,  the  youngest  son,  succeeded  to  the  old  homestead 
of  his  father.  The  posterity  of  these  brothers  is  very  numerous,  and 
scattered  the  country  over.  Ebenezer,  son  of  Benjamin,  last  named, 
succeeded  his  father  on  the  old  homestead  ;  he  was  born  1730.  (See 
Early  Settlers.) 

JOHN  HART.  On  Main  Street,  nearly  opposite  the  old  house  just 
described,  where  a  tall,  ancestral  elm  still  lingers,  weeping  and  over- 
shadowing the  deserted  spot,  and  near  which  a  new  house  is  now 
erected,  there  stood  a  venerable  mansion,  then  the  residence  of  Dr. 
John  Hart.  On  either  side  of  it  were  capacious  barns,  convenient  out- 
houses, and  all  the  fixtures  and  appendages  of  a  thrifty  farm.  Now  all 
are  gone  !  The  house  a  few  years  since  was  purchased  by  John  Day, 
and  removed  to  Crescent  Street,  where  it  now  stands  ;  one  of  the  barns 
was  burned  and  the  other  taken  down.  Dr.  Hart  was  a  native  of 
Ipswich,  born  1751,  son  of  John  Hart,  Esq.,  a  lawyer  of  Ipswich.  He 
married  Mary,  dau.  of  Capt.  Abraham  and  Mary  (Flowers)  Gould,  of 
Stoneham.  She  was  a  granddau.  of  Abraham  Gould,  who  was  son  of 
John,  and  grandson  of  John,  an  original  settler.  The  Gould  home- 
stead was  on  what  has  recently  been  known  as  the  Jenkins*  farm,  now 
lying  partly  in  Stoneham  and  partly  in  Wakefield,  but  formerly  being 
entirely  in  Stoneham. 

Dr.  Hart  died  in  1836,  aged  85.  His  wid.  Mary  died  in  1838, 
aged  86. 

Dr.  Hart  was  a  physician  by  profession ;  settled  first  in  Maine,  but 
on  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  he  joined  the  army 
as  a  surgeon  and  served  during  the  war.  He  afterwards,  at  the  close 
of  the  war,  settled  in  Reading,  now  Wakefield,  became  the  proprietor 
and  occupant  of  the  venerable  mansion  aforesaid,  and  the  extensive 
farm  connected  therewith,  where  he  spent  the  residue  of  his  life.  He 
was  school  committee  and  selectman  of  Reading ;  representative  and 
senator  ;  justice  of  the  peace  and  the  quorum,  justice  of  the  Court  of 
Sessions,  vice-president  of  the  Cincinnati  Society,  etc.  etc. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


361 


As  a  physician  he  was  highly  esteemed  as  a  skilful  and  faithful  prac- 
titioner, and  long  enjoyed  a  very  extensive  practice  in  this  and  the 
adjoining  and  surrounding  towns.     His  charges  were  moderate,  and 
his  lenity  to  the  poor  in  most  cases  marked  and  praiseworthy.     His 
personal  appearance,  as  we  remember  him,  was  striking  and  impos- 
ing :   of  middle   stature,   but  of  stout  and  portly  frame  and  stately 
mien ;  of  fair  complexion,  Roman  nose,  high  forehead,  and  large  cra- 
nium, with  hair  abundant  and  white,  and  worn  in  a  formidable  cue, 
agreeably  to  the  fashion  of  his  younger  days,  he  presented  a  venerable 
and  majestic  appearance.     His  coat  (and  he  never  wore  but  one  at  a 
time,  for  he  eschewed  all  overcoats)  was  always  of  the  same  cut,  with 
broad,  deep,  and  ample  skirts,  and  such  capacious  pockets  as  to  serve 
in  place  of  saddle-bags  and  haversacks  for  the  portage  of  his  whole 
materia  medica ;  he  wore  breeches  with  huge  knee-buckles,  picked  or 
pointed  toe  boots,  and  broad-brimmed  hat,  and  presented  altogether  a 
personal  "  tout  ensemble,"  once  seen,  not  easily  forgotten.     Despising 
a  sulky,  he  always  rode  on  horseback,  and  was  an  accomplished  rider. 
He  was  of  an  easy  and  dignified  address ;   of  great  energy  and  firm- 
ness ;  prompt,  courageous,  and  decisive  in  word  and  action,  punctual 
and  honest  in  all  his  dealings,  and  was  able,  with  only  a  somewhat 
limited  common-school  education,  to  exercise  a  controlling  influence 
among  his  fellow-citizens.     As  a  citizen  he  was  public-spirited  and 
patriotic ;  and,  for  the  times  in  which  he  lived,  was  liberal.     Always 
ready  to    loan  money  to  his  fellow-citizens,  in  small  or  large  sums, 
never  exacting  exorbitant  interest,  and  never  calling  for  the  principal 
while  the  interest  was  promptly  paid,  he  long  stood  in  place  of  a  bank 
for  his  fellow-citizens.     He  had  the  honor  of  breaking  up  the  old  cus- 
tom of  "treating"  at  the  election  of  representative,  by  paying  into  the 
town  treasury  the  money  that  such  treating  would  cost.     As  a  politi- 
cian he  was  of  the  Jeffersonian  school,  and  ever  earnest  and  devoted. 
His  most  peculiar  and  prominent  trait  of  character  was  firmness,  this 
always  appearing  in  high  relief  in  all  his  acts  and  intercourse  ;  indeed, 
it  is  told  of  him,  that  he  used  to  say,  that  "  a  lie,  well  adhered  to,  was 
better  than  the  truth,  wavering"     He  was  a  liberal  contributor  to,  and 
a  punctual  attendant  upon,  public  worship ;  but  his  "  particular  relig- 
ious opinions  and  experience,"  as  he  once  said  to  a  clerical  inquirer, 
"  were  best  known  to  himself."     He  acquired  a  large  estate.     His 
children  were  :  Mary,  b.  1779,  and  m.  Henry,  son  of  Rev.  Caleb  Fren^- 
tiss,  and  settled  in  Paris,  Me. ;  she  was  a  very  intelligent  and  worthy 
woman;    Abraham,  b.   1782;    named   for   his  grandfather,  Abraham 
Gould  ;  was  a  farmer  ;  became  the  heir  and  successor  of  his  namesake, 
46 


362  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

and  d.  unmarried  ;  John  (Jr.),  b.  1785  ;  became  a  physician;  settled 
in  the  West  Parish  (now  Reading),  and  died  of  consumption  at  the  age 
of  24;  Sarah,  b.  1788;  m.  1817,  Dr.  Thaddeus  Spaulding,  who  came 
from  Townsend  and  settled  as  a  physician  in  South  Reading,  in  1815. 
Her  children  were :  Sarah  H.,  who  m.  Dr.  Nathan  Allen,  of  Lowell, 
was  an  amiable  and  intellectual  lady,  now  deceased,  and  Olive  C.,  who 
m.  Dr.  Josiah  Norcross,  and  is  now  a  widow.  Mrs.  Spaulding  was  an 
affectionate  and  virtuous  woman  ;  she  d.  in  1829,  aged  40. 

Dr.  Spaulding  was  a  man  of  note  in  his  day,  and  requires  a  pass- 
ing notice.  In  personal  appearance  he  was  stout,  corpulent,  and  im- 
posing ;  in  manner,  affable  and  complaisant ;  was  intelligent  and  well- 
informed,  but  not  highly  educated ;  was  a  warm  friend  of  education 
and  good  morals  ;  venerated  the  ordinances  of  the  sanctuary  \  was  a 
respectable  and  faithful  physician,  a  public-spirited  citizen,  and  an 
honest  man. 

He  had  some  traits  of  character  that  were  largely  developed.  He 
was  eminently  prompt  and  punctual  in  all  his  business  matters, 
especially  in  the  collection  of  his  dues.  He  pursued,  with  unusual 
eagerness  and  devotion,  whatever  schemes  and  projects  he  took  an 
interest  in.  He  had  a  very  strong  fondness  for  influence,  power,  place, 
and  the  acquisition  of  wealth ;  yet  he  was  generous  and  kind-hearted. 
He  possessed  also  an  ample  share  of  vanity  and  approbativeness ;  he 
was  not  haughty  or  disdainful,  however ;  but  he  thought  well  of  him- 
self, and  desired  that  others  should  have  the  same  opinion  and  should 
honor  him  accordingly ;  and  he  was  thus  honored  to  a  considerable 
extent.  He  was  frequently  a  member  of  the  school  committee,  was 
justice  of  the  peace,  a  State  councillor,  and  died  while  holding  the 
latter  office.  His  death  occurred  in  1844. 

Lucinda  (dau.  of  Dr.  Hart),  b.  1790;  became  the  second  wife  of 
Dr.  Spaulding,  and  still  lives  in  Wakefield ;  Samuel,  the  youngest 
son,  b.  1796,  graduated  at  Har.  Coll.  in  1817  ;  m.  1823,  Charlotte 
Newell ;  became  a  physician  ;  settled  first  in  Western  New  York  ;  now 
lives  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  is  highly  esteemed  in  his  life  and  profes- 
sion. (Other  children  died  young.) 

This  old  house  and  farm,  so  long  occupied  by  Dr.  Hart,  were  orig- 
inally the  homestead,  as  has  been  already  stated,  of  Elias  Smith 
and  Isaac  Smith,  sons  of  Dea.  Francis  and  Ruth.  Isaac  Smith, 
b.  1682,  and  lived  to  his  ninety-eighth  year,  and  had  a  large  family  of 
children,  who  settled  in  Amherst,  N.  H.,  and  elsewhere.  His  sister 
Mary,  m.  1722,  Abraham  Knowlton,  of  Ipswich,  and  was  the  grand- 
mother of  Dr.  Hart. 


OF    THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


363 


DR.  SAMUEL  HART. 

These  two  old  mansions,  so  long  the  property  of  Dr.  Hart,  and  the 
early  homes  of  the  Smith  family,  were  once  the  most  spacious  and  im- 
posing buildings  in  the  town ;  stood  highest  on  the  assessors'  books  ; 
were  distinguished  as  the  residence  of  the  gentility  and  aristocracy  of 
the  village,  the  nursing-places  of  beauty  and  literature,  and  the  homes 
of  wealth,  wisdom,  refinement,  and  politeness ;  were  long  landmarks 
in  geography  and  topography,  as  the  old  county  maps  will  testify,  and 
were  esteemed  almost  as  fixed  as  the  old  Cedar  Mountain,  at  whose 
base  they  stood.  But  they  have  wholly  disappeared. 

JONATHAN  EVANS  owned  the  house  now  occupied  by  Isaac  Green ; 
he  was  son  of  Samuel  and  Ruth  Evans,  b.  1784,  and  d.  1822,  aged  38, 
unm.  He  also  built  the  small  house  standing  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  street ;  was  lame,  having  no  use  of  one  leg ;  was  industrious  and 
honest. 

SAMUEL  EVANS  lived  in  a  house  that  stood  near  the  railroad  bridge 
in  Greenwood,  the  cellar  wall  of  which  is  still  visible.  He  was  son  of 
Jonathan  and  Eunice  (Green)  Evans  ;  b.  1756  (see  Early  Settlers)  ;  m., 
ist,  1778,  Ruth  Eames,  of  Woburn  ;  m.,  2d,  1802,  Timna  Breed.  Chil. , 
Ruth,  b.  1779,  and  died  unm.  Samuel,  b.  1781,  —  traded  at  the  South, 


364 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


and  died  at  Savannah,  Geo.,  in  1821 ;  was  a  bachelor,  and  a  man  of 
much  intelligence,  and  great  energy  and  resolution  ;  Jonathan,  b.  1784, 
already  spoken  of ;  Rachel,  who  m.  1811,  Zela  Bartlett,  lived  where 
Henry  Knowles  now  lives,  and  died  without  issue ;  Eunice,  who  m. 
Capt.  Holt,  of  Andover  (2d  wife),  had  several  children,  and  is  now 
dead;  Timothy  removed  to  Lynchburg,  Va.  ;  Abigail,  b.  1793;  m. 
Peter  Temple,  and  d.  1866,  without  issue  ;  Jacob,  b.  1797,  traded  at  the 
South ;  was  connected  in  business  with  Jacob  Rayner,  already  spoken 
of ;  was  a  bachelor,  and  mysteriously  disappeared  many  years  ago  ; 
Tirana,  m.  Thaddeus  P.  Allen,  and  lives  in  Andover ;  Mary  died 
young. 

Mr.  Evans  was  a  farmer,  and  a  citizen  of  respectability ;  possessed 
great  native  energy;  he  died  1816,  aged  60.  He  succeeded  his  father 
on  this  place ;  the  original  seat  of  the  Evans  settlers  was  a  short  dis- 
tance easterly  of  where  Charles  W.  Green  now  lives,  in  the  woods,  where 
the  old  cellar  foundations  may  still  be  found. 

NATHAN  BRYANT  lived  where  Joseph  Eaton  now  lives,  in  a  house 
much  smaller  than  the  present  one.  He  was  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Re- 
becca (Boutwell)  Bryant ;  b.  1772  ;  m.  1795,  Betsey,  dau.  of  Jabez  and 
Lydia  Carter ;  was  a  boot-maker  and  cobbler ;  had  a  large  family  of 
children,  who  settled  in  Danvers  and  elsewhere. 

JOHN  WAITT  lived  where  Hon.  P.  H.  Sweetser  lately  resided.  He 
was  a  native  of  Maiden  ;  son  of  Micah  and  Hannah  (Vinton)  Waitt ;  b. 
1777;  m.  1804,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Aaron  and  Sarah  Green;  was  a 
farmer,  captain,  school  committee,  and  a  worthy  citizen.  He  died 
1851,  aged  7-4.  Chil. :  Aaron  G.,  who  m.  1841,  Lucy  E.  Brown,  and 
d.  1843,  aged  39 ;  John,  who  m.  1841,  Elizabeth  Lufkin,  and  d.  1866  ; 
Sarah  G.,  who  m.  1842,  Stephen  Lufkin ;  Elizabeth,  who  m.  1838, 
Albert  G.  Sweetser. 

The  immediate  predecessor  of  Capt.  Waitt  on  this  place  was  Wid. 
Elizabeth  Spear,  who  married  Joseph  Cordis,  Esq.,  and  removed  to  the 
side  of  the  pond ;  and,  before  Mrs.  Spear,  the  place  was  occupied  by 
David  Pratt,  son  of  Amos  Pratt,  of  Saugus,  who  manufactured  shoes, 
and  kept  a  grocery  on  the  premises.  Mr.  Pratt  subsequently  settled 
in  the  West  Parish,  and  was  father  of  Daniel  and  Thomas  Pratt,  Esqs., 
of  Reading.  In  1765,  Richard  Upham  lived  here.  Upham  sold  the 
place  to  Dea.  Thomas  Boardman,  of  Boston,  whose  dau.  married 
Benjamin  Walton,  of  Reading.  It  is  said  that  the  place  was  early  a 
part  of  the  farm  of  David  Green. 

AARON  GREEN  lived  where  Charles  Warren  Green,  his  grandson, 
now  lives.  He  was  the  son  of  William  and  Susanna  Green,  and  b. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  365 

1754  (see  Early  Settlers).  He  m.,  ist,  1775,  Sarah  Hay,  of  Stone- 
ham  ;  he  m.,  2d,  1818,  Sarah  Green,  of  Stoneham.  He  succeeded 
to  his  father's  homestead,  which  included  two  houses,  the  one  now 
occupied  by  C.  W.  Green  and  the  one  lately  occupied  by  James 
Lord.  Chil. :  Sarah,  who  m.  Capt.  Lowell  Fowler ;  Susanna,  who  m. 
Benj.  Emerson  ;  Elizabeth,  who  m.  Capt.  John  Waitt ;  Mary,  who  m. 
Charles  Green,  and  whose  son,  Charles  W.,  m.  a  granddau.  of  Capt. 
Fowler,  aforesaid ;  and  Rebecca,  who  m.  Charles  Waitt,  of  Maiden. 

Mr.  Green  was  a  very  unassuming  and  respectable  man.  He  died 
1830,  aged  76. 

BENJAMIN  EMERSON,  Jr.,  lived  in  the  house  lately  occupied  by 
James  Lord;  was  son  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  Emerson,  and 
born  1778;  m.,  ist,  1804,  Susanna,  dau.  of  Aaron  Green,  she  d.  1817, 
aged  35  ;  m.,  2d,  1819,  Hannah  Bancroft,  of  Reading.  He  became 
the  owner  of  the  Col.  Boardman  place,  where  he  died  without  issue. 
He  was  a  man  of  intelligence  and  good  reputation ;  had  been  select- 
man and  representative. 

CHARLES  GREEN  lived  in  a  house  that  stood,  and  still  stands,  on  the 
westerly  side  of  Main  Street,  nearly  opposite  that  now  occupied  by 
C.  W.  Green.  He  was  son  of  Dea.  Daniel  Green,  aforesaid,  and 
b.  1785  ;  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Aaron  Green;  died  1868.  Child,  Charles 
Warren,  b.  1815  ;  m.  1862.  This  place  was  one  of  the  old  Green 
homesteads,  having  been  the  residence  of  said  Charles's  father  and 
grandfather.  Mr.  Charles  Green  was  farmer  and  shoe  manufacturer. 

GREENWOOD  STREET. 

REUBEN  GREEN  lived  on  the  place  lately  owned  by  Hon.  Judge 
Nash.  He  was  son  of  Dea.  Daniel  and  Ruth  (Oakes)  Green ;  b. 
1767;  m.  1788,  Huldah  Newhall,  of  Lynnfield ;  was  a  respectable 
farmer,  and  died  1837,  aged  70.  His  wid.,  Huldah,  d.  1842,  aged  75. 
Chil.:  Abner,  b.  1790,  and  m.  Hannah  Clark;  Lot,  b.  1792,  and 
d.  soon;  Huldah,  b.  1795,  and  m.  Elias  Boardman;  Sally,  b.  1798, 
and  m.  Reuben  Gerry,  of  Stoneham  ;  Harriet,  b.  1800,  and  became  the 
second  wife  of  John  Brown,  2d,  and  is  now  dead  ;  Sophia,  b.  1802,  and 
m.  Amos  Howard,  of  Melrose ;  Reuben,  b.  1805,  and  m.,  ist,  Lydia 
Winn,  and  settled  in  Maiden ;  Lot,  b.  1809,  and  d.  unm.;  Elbridge,  b. 
1810,  and  m.  Fanny  Brown,  and  settled  in  Melrose.  This  farm  for- 
merly belonged  to  the  homestead  of  Col.  David  Green,  and  to  his 
father  before  him.  The  sons  of  Col.  Green,  John  and  Isaac,  sold  it 
to  the  father  of  Reuben  Green,  aforesaid. 

NATHAN  GREEN  lived  in  a  house  now  taken  down,  that  stood  near 


366 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


the  house  now  occupied  by  Alvin  Drake  ;  he  was  brother  of  Reuben, 
aforesaid ;  b.  1765  ;  m.  Betsey  Orr,  of  Charlestown  ;  was  a  farmer,  and 
d.  1835,  aged  7°-  Chil. :  Betsey,  who  died  unm. ;  Nathan,  who  m. 
1815,  Susan  Rowe,  of  Stoneham ;  Jane,  who  m.  Mr.  Adams,  of 
Worcester;  Rebecca,  who  m.  1818,  William  Rowe,  of  Stoneham, 
brother  of  Susan,  above ;  he  d.  1826,  from  drinking  poison  through 
mistake  ;  Belinda,  who  m.  Alvin  Drake,  and  lives  in  Wakefield.  This 
place  was  also  a  part  of  the  Col.  David  Green  homestead  that  was 
sold  to  the  father  of  said  Nathan. 

OAK  STREET. 

BENJAMIN  WALTON.  —  He  was  son  -of  Capt.  John  and  Mary  (Wil- 
liams) Walton  (see  Early  Settlers);  m.  1780,  Sarah,  dau.  of  Dea. 
Thomas  Boardman,  of  Boston.  Had  one  son,  William,  who  was  b. 
1781,  and  d.  1823,  unmarried.  He,  Benjamin,  d.  1824,  aged  73.  He 
made  Jotham  Walton,  son  of  Oliver,  his  heir,  who  succeeded  him  on 
the  farm,  but  afterwards  sold  out ;  is  now  sexton  of  Wakefield.  This 
farm  was  formerly  the  residence  of  Capt.  John  Walton,  the  father  of 
said  Benjamin,  probably  the  same  Capt.  John  Walton  who,  in  1765, 
lived  on  the  Stowell  place. 

WILLIAM  WILLIAMS,  from  Maiden,  lived  where  the  late  Dea.  Ezekiel 
Oliver  lived ;  m.,  ist,  Susanna  Emerson  ;  she  died  1803,  aged  39  ;  m., 
2d,  1805, 'Hannah  Waitt,  of  Maiden,  who  died  1813,  aged  47.  He  died 
1831,  aged  56.  Chil. :  (by  ist  wife)  William,  b.  Jan.  i,  1796,  d.  1837, 
aged  42  ;  Susanna,  b.  Feb.  3,  1798  ;  Thomas,  b.  Jan.  6,  1801,  d.  1844, 
aged  43  ;  (by  2d  wife)  Hannah,  b.  Dec.  10, 1805,  d.  1815  ;  Micah,  b.  Aug. 
25,  1807  ;  Martha,  b.  Mar.  17,  1809  ;  Phebe,  b.  Nov.  23,  1811  ;  Chester, 
son  of  Wm.  and  Maria  (Pardee)  Williams,  b.  1829,  and  died  1836, 
aged  7.  Maria  died  at  the  age  of  54. 

NAHANT  STREET. 

JOSEPH  EATON  lived  on  the  Whitehead  place ;  son  of  James  and 
Lois  (Damon)  Eaton  (see  Early  Settlers)  ;  m.  1794,  Sarah,  dau.  of 
Cornelius  Sweetser.  Chil.  :  Joseph,  b.  1795,  and  m.  1816,  Sally  Eaton  ; 
Sally  and  Lois,  twins,  b.  1801  ;  Sally  d.  soon  ;  Lois  m.,  ist,  Levi 
Brown,  and  2d,  Luther  Reed ;  James,  b.  1797,  m.,  ist,  Esther  Stimpson, 
and  2d,  wid.  Sarah  (Sweetser)  Raddin ;  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion  ;  Sally,  b.  1804,  and  m.  1824,  Jotham  Walton ;  John,  b.  1813, 
and  m.  1837,  Mary  W.  Hartshorn ;  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion,  and  is  now  dead.  Mr.  Joseph  Eaton  was  a  man  of  quiet 
respectability,  and  was  probably  the  first  resident  on  this  spot. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


367 


GEORGE  SWEETSER  lived  on  the  place  still  occupied  by  his  widow ; 
was  son  of  Cornelius  and  Sarah  Sweetser;  b.  1792,  and  d.  1866,  aged 
74.  He  m.  1812,  Mary  Edmands,  of  Maiden.  Chil. :  Sarah,  who  m., 
ist,  John  Raddin,  and  2d,  James  Eaton ;  Mary,  who  m.  Elisha  Oliver ; 
Geo.  W.,  who  d.  a  young  man ;  a  daughter,  who  m.  Mr.  Southwick,  of 
Danvers.  Mr.  Sweetser  built  the  house  in  which  he  lived,  and  was  an 
industrious,  honest,  and  sensible  man. 

THOMAS  EMERSON  (Capt.  Thos.,  Sen.)  lived  on  what  is  now  the 
town  farm,  in  an  ancient  mansion,  since  taken  down,  that  stood  a  few 
rods  southeasterly  of  the  present  almshouse.  He  was  son  of  Tho.  and 
Elizabeth  (Bruce)  Emerson,  b.  1757  ;  m.  1782,  Ruth,  dau.  of  James 
Bancroft,  Esq.,  and  d.  1837,  aged  79. 

He  was  a  militia  captain,  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution,  and  a  man  of 
great  resolution,  bravery,  and  patriotism.  t  He  was  a  prisoner  in  Dart- 
moor Prison. 

He  removed  to  Lynnfield  some  years  before  his  death.  His  widow, 
who  survived  him  several  years,  and  who  d.  1852,  aged  91,  was  a  pat- 
tern woman,  possessing  and  manifesting  an  unusual  degree  of  intelli- 
gence, cheerfulness,  amiability,  and  wisdom,  to  the  end  of  a  long  and 
useful  life.  She  was  greatly  beloved  by  all.  Chil. :  Ruth,  b.  1783, 
and  m.  1806,  Joseph  Burnham  ;  Thomas,  b.  1785  (see  former  account)  ; 
Clarissa,  b.  1787,  and  m.  1805,  Benj.  Cox,  and  now  lives  in  Lynnfield ; 
Charlotte,  b.  1790,  and  m.  1814,  Col.  Matthew  Cox,  of  Lynnfield ;  Han- 
nah, b.  1792,  and  m.  1819,  Col.  Tho.  Parker;  James  Bancroft,  b.  1794, 
and  d.  1795  ;  James  Bancroft,  b.  1797,  and  m.  1821,  Lydia  P.  Parker, 
and  d.  in  Natchez,  Miss.,  in  1822,  of  yellow  fever,  his  wife  dying  at 
about  the  same  time  and  place  of  the  same  disease ;  Hubbard,  b.  1799, 
and  m.  1825,  Harriet,  dau.  of  Col.  John  Orne,  of  Lynnfield,  and  grand- 
dau.«of  Rev.  Caleb  Prentiss ;  Sarah,  b.  1801,  and  m.  1822,  Warren 
Aborn,  of  Lynnfield  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1806,  and  m.  1827,  Jacob  Tufts,  Esq. 

This  old  farm  was  the  early  homestead  of  John  Smith  (son  of  Dea. 
Francis  and  Ruth),  and  of  his  son,  Dea.  John  Smith,  who  was  living 
here,  certainly,  in  1765,  and  probably  before  and  after,  and  who  d.  here 
in  1782. 

BENJAMIN  EMERSON  lived  in  an  ancient  mansion,  since  taken  down, 
that  then  stood  opposite  the  late  Lowell  Emerson  house.  He  was  son 
of  Peter  and  Rebecca  (Poqle)  Emerson,  and  grandson  of  Dea.  Brown 
Emerson;  b.  1755  ;  m.  1777,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth 
(Bruce)  Emerson,  and  d.  1818;  Benjamin,  b.  1778  (see  former  ac- 
count); Elizabeth,  b.  1780;  m.  1804,  Capt.  Archibald  Smith;  Peter, 
b.  1782,  and  m.  1819,  Hannah  Dix;  Rebecca  Poole,  b.  1784,  and  m. 


368 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


Dea.  Aaron  Bryant;  Nancy,  b.  1786,  and  m.  Caleb  Foster;  Susanna, 
b.  1789,  and  m.  Capt.  Jesse  Carter;  Lowell,  b.  1792,  and  m.  1828,  Su- 
sanna S.  Oliver;  Lucy,  b.  1795,  an<^  d.  unm. 

This  farm  belonged,  originally,  to  the  Smith  family,  and  was  occupied 
by  Abraham  Smith,  son  of  Francis  and  Ruth,  as  early  as  1720.  About 
1765,  it  was  occupied  by  Amos  Boardman,  who  came  here  from  Chel- 
sea (now  Saugus)  ;  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Benj.  Smith,  and  purchased 
this  place. 

JOHN  SMITH  lived  in  the  house  that  was  lately  owned  by  Joanna 
Oliver.  He  was  grandson  of  Thomas  Smith,  of  Lynn,  and  great-grand- 
son of  Dea.  John  Smith,  who  lived  on  the  almshouse  farm.  He  m. 
1792,  Lois,  dau.  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Bruce)  Emerson.  Chil. : 
John,  b.  1792;  William,  b.  1796;  Lois,  b.  1799,  and  m.  1825,  Dea. 
Zenas  Eaton;  Samuel,  b.  1801 ;  Aaron,  b.  1809,  and  perhaps  other 
children. 

WATER  STREET. 

NATHANIEL  WILEY,  LEONARD  WILEY,  father  and  son,  lived  on  the 
place  now  occupied  by  heirs  of  Leonard  Wiley. 

Nathaniel  Wiley  was  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Mary  (Eaton)  Wiley ;  b. 
1759 ;  m.  1782,  Sally,  dau.  of  Jona.  and  Sarah  (Eaton)  Poole,  and  d. 
1811,  aged  62.  Children  :  Sally,  b.  1783  ;  lived  to  middle  age,  and  d. 
unm. ;  Betsey,  b.  1787,  and  m.  John  Upton,  Esq.,  of  Lynnfield  ;  Leon- 
ard, b.  1791  (see  below)  ;  Lot,  b.  1794,  and  d.  1813,  of  typhoid  fever; 
Nathaniel,  b.  1797,  and  m.  1820,  Lydia  Trull,  of  Burlington ;  is  father 
of  John  Wiley,  Esq.,  of  Andover ;  Laura,  b.  1799,  and  d.  1813  ;  Poole, 
b.  1802,  now  dead ;  Aaron,  b.  1805  ;  went  to  sea,  and  has  not  been 
heard  from  for  many  years. 

Leonard  Wiley,  above  named,  m.  1813,  Sally,  dau.  of  Edmund*  and 
Judith  (Bancroft)  Eaton.  He  d.  in  1872.  Chil. :  Sally,  who  resides 
in  Wakefield,  unm. ;  Mary  Ann,  who  m.  Paschal  Carter,  and  settled  at 
the  West ;  Francis,  who^m.  Betsey  Hartshorn,  and  lives  in  Wakefield  ; 
Edmund  Eaton,  who  m.  Ann  Hawkes,  and  d.  1860 ;  Laura,  who  m. 
Francis  Williams,  and  lives  in  Wakefield  ;  Joseph  Leonard,  who  m. 
Maria  L.  Pope,  and  lives  in  Wakefield. 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Wiley  succeeded  his  father-in-law,  Jonathan  Poole,  on 
this  place,  the  said  Jonathan  having  succeeded  his  uncle,  Benj.  Poole, 
Esq.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

JEREMIAH  GREEN  lived  in  the  old  dwelling-house,  that,  removed 
from  its  former  site,  still  stands  not  very  distant  from  Cyrus  Wake- 
field's  extensive  rattan  factory,  and  is  now  used  as  a  boarding- 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  369 

house.  He  was  b.  1762  ;  was  son  of  Capt.  Thomas  and  Lydia  (Swain) 
Green;  m.  1782,  Martha,  dau.  of  Capt.  Josiah  Green,  of  Stoneham,  a 
man  whose  first  wife  bore  him  eight  children,  and  who  then,  at  the  age 
of  sixty-four,  married  Sarah  Skinner,  a  girl  forty-two  years  younger 
than  himself,  to  whom  at  marriage  he  said  he  expected  she  would  bear 
him  as  many  children  as  his  first  wife  did.  She  fully  answered  his 
expectations  in  this  particular,  and  after  his  death  married  again,  and 
had  three  or  four  children  more.  It  is  said  also  of  this  Josiah  Green, 
that  at  the  birth  of  one  of  his  children,  he  had  also  born  on  the  same 
day,  a  grandchild  and  great-grandchild ;  and  that  Dr.  Hart  and  the 
same  woman  attended  in  all  three  of  the  cases  ! 

Mr.  Jeremiah  Green  was  a  man  of  good  common-sense,  although 
illiterate  ;  was  a  carpenter  and  millwright,  and  a  natural  mechanic ;  a 
drum-major ;  an  industrious,  energetic,  and  honest  man.  He  had,  how- 
ever, some  peculiarities  ;  his  organs  of  reverence  were  not  largely  de- 
veloped ;  age,  antiquity,  official  dignities,  and  sacerdotal  ermine,  had  no 
charms  or  terrors  for  him.  In  his  religion  he  was  sincere  and  enthusi- 
astic, but  opposed  to  all  formality  and  ceremony, fc and  was  of  opinion 
that  reading  sermons  was  not  preaching ;  he  seemed  to  esteem  zeal  in 
a  public  speaker  of  more  importance  than  knowledge ;  he  was  not  in 
favor  of  spending  money  very  freely  for  school-books  ;  and  was  once 
heard  to  say  "  that  he  could  make  a  wooden  dictionary  for  his  children 
that  would  answer  all  the  purposes  of  Walker  or  Johnson."  "  He  had 
borrowed  one,"  he  said,  "  and  began  to  read  it  in  course,  and  found  no 
sense  in  it" 

Mr.  Green  succeeded  on  this  place,  his  father,  Capt.  Thomas  Green, 
the  old  miller,  who  is  remembered  for  his  curt  replies  and  occasional 
ill-humored  manners  to  the  grist-bearers. 

This  place,  with  its  corn-mill,  was  owned  and  occupied  by  John 
Poole,  one  of  the  earliest  and  richest  of  the  original  settlers.  It  long 
remained  in  the  Poole  family. 

In  1765,  Capt.  (Samuel  ?)  Bancroft  was  living  here  ;  in  1770,  Lilley 
Eaton  occupied  it.  Capt  Thomas  Green  purchased  it  soon  after. 
Mr.  Jeremiah  Green  had  two  grist-mills,  one  saw-mill,  a  blacksmith's 
shop  with  dwelling-house  attached,  a  carpenter's  shop,  and  he  built 
about  this  time  the  dwelling-house  afterwards  owned  by  his  son  Jere- 
miah, that  stands  near  the  house  formerly  occupied  by  Thomas  Green, 
and  now  owned  by  Cyrus  Wakefield's  heirs.  Chil. :  Patty,  b.  1783  ;  m. 
1802,  Adam  Hawkes ;  Nelly,  b.  1785  ;  m.  1807,  John  Woodward  ;  Phebe, 
b.  1788  ;  m.  1806,  Abel  Bayrd ;  Keturah,  b.  1790  ;  m.  1809,  Benj.  B. 
Wiley  ;  Eliza,  b.  1794  ;  m.  1813,  Joseph  Stone,  of  Maiden,  and  became 
47 


370 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


the  second  wife  of  B.  Badger,  Jr.,  Esq. ;  Polly,  b.  1796  ;  m.  1816,  Eben 
Gushing ;  Ursula,  b.  1798  ;  m.  1819,  John  Warner,  and  in  1823,  m.  John 
Harnden,  of  Maiden  ;  Ploomea,  b.  1801 ;  m.  1821,  Levi  Robinson,  of 
Lynn  ;  Jeremiah,  b.  1804 ;  m.  1826,  Sarah  P.  Swain  ;  Thomas,  who  m. 
1829,  Mary  F.  Swain  ;  Aaron,  b.  1814  ;  married,  lived  in  Lynn,  and 
there  died. 

JOHN  VINTON  lived  in  the  small  house,  standing  near  Water  Street, 
long  occupied  by  Peter  B.  Emerson.  He  was  son  of  John  and  Lydia 
(Nichols)  Vinton ;  b.  1763;  m.  1785,  Mary 'Green,  of  Maiden.  He 
d.  1821,  and  she  d.  1834,  aged  69.  Chil. :  Mary,  b.  1787,  d.  1803; 
John,  b.  1789  ;  never  married ;  of  feeble  health  ;  was  an  itinerant  shoe 
trader,  an  intelligent  and  honest  man  ;  d. 1851 ;  Sarah,  born  1792  ;  m. 
1810,  Peter  B.  Emerson,  who  was  son  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Dix)  Emer- 
son, of  Harvard,  and  grandson  of  Dea.  Brown  Emerson,  of  Reading. 
No  children.  Eliza,  b.  1796;  m.  1815,  Frederick  B.  Eaton,  of  North 
Reading,  who  settled  in  South  Reading,  and  is  now  a  wid.  ;  Joseph 
Warren,  b.  1799  ;  m.,  ist,  Charlotte  Emerson ;  2d,  Wid.  Jane  K.  (Stimp- 
son)  Danforth;  Nathaniel,  b.  1802  ;  m.  Mary  Barnard ;  no  chil. ;  both 
d. ;  James  Green,  b.  1804;  unm. ;  lives  in  Stoneham. 

JAMES  WILEY,  PETER  B.  WILEY,  father  and  son,  lived  on  the  place 
now  or  lately  owned  by  the  heirs  of  David  Wiley. 

James  Wiley  was  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Elizabeth  (Sprague)  Wiley 
(see  Early  Settlers)  ;  b.  1755  ;  m.  1779,  Mary  (Bryant)  Brown,  wid. 
of  Peter  Brown,  and  dau.  of  Elias  Bryant,  of  Stoneham.  He  was  a 
quiet,  respectable,  unambitious  man  ;  he  and  his  wife  both  d.  1823, 
aged  69.  Chil. :  James,  b.  1780,  and  d.  1815  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  1781  (see 
after)  ;  Peter  Brown,  b.  1784  (see  below) ;  Benja.  Brown,  b.  1786  (see 
before);  John,  b.  1790;  Elizabeth,  b.  1792  ;  m.  1812,  Fredc  Slocomb, 
and  d.  1860;  Mary,  b.  1797,  and  d.  1815. 

PETER  BROWN  WILEY,  son  of  James,  aforesaid;  b.  1784;  was  cap- 
tain, and  for  many  years  an  expressman  ;  before  the  establishment  of 
railroads  he  has  repeatedly  driven  a  horse  team,  freighted  with  shoes, 
all  the  way  from  South  Reading  to  Philadelphia  ;  m.,  ist,  1805,  Ruth 
Ingalls  ;  she  d.  1823 ;  m.,  2d,  1824,  Wid.  Abigail  Woodward,  of  Bos- 
ton ;  she  d.  1830;  m.,  3d,  1832  (his  cousin),  Miss  Hannah  Wiley,  of 
Charlestown.  He  long  resided  in  Charlestown.  Chil. :  Mary  Ann ; 
was  a  milliner,  and  d.  unm. ;  Peter,  b.  1808;  m.,  ist,  Nancy,  dau.  of 
Joseph  Emerson ;  m.,  2d,  Lydia,  dau.  of  Joseph  Emerson ;  m.,  3d, 
Mary  Sprague  Brown,  and  he  d.  in  1873  '>  James,  b.  1810,  and  d.  unm. ; 
John,  2d,  b.  1812  ;  m.  Elizabeth  Gregg;  has  been  captain  and  major; 
commanded  a  company  in  the  recent  War  of  the  Rebellion,  and  now 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


371 


lives  in  Wakefield  ;  Elizabeth,  b.  1818;  m.  Mr.  Kimball ;  and  other 
children,  who  d.  young. 

This  place  was  one  of  the  early  homesteads  of  the  Wiley  settlers,  and 
was  probably  the  residence  of  Timothy  Wiley,  Esq.  (the  representative). 
Thomas  Wiley,  son  of  Timothy,  was  living  here  about  1765.  It  sub- 
sequently became  the  property  of  David  Wiley,  the  son  of  Eli.  The 
old  house  was  burnt  some  forty  years  ago. 

ELI  WILEY  lived  on  the  place  now  or  recently  owned  by  Jeremiah 
Shannahan. 

He  was  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Mary  (Eaton)  Wiley;  b.  1774;  m., 
ist,  1795,  Love  Mansfield,  of  Lynnfield ;  m.,  2d,  1832,  Wid.  Lucy 
(Tapley)  Wiley;  he  d.  1848,  aged  75.  Chil. :  Ruth,  b.  Feb.  22, 1796  ; 
m.  1814,  Wm.  Edmands,  of  Saugus ;  Harriet,  b.  March  i,  1803;  m. 

1820,  James  W.  Leatherbee,  of  Boston  ;  David,  b.  March  18,  1799  ;  m. 

1821,  Sally  L.  Pease,  of  Lynnfield  ;  Warren,  b.  Jan.  26,  1801 ;  m.  1820, 
Abigail  Pease,  of  Lynnfield;  Sophia,  b.  May  5,  1807  ;  m.  1827,  Russel 
Foster;  Sarah,  b.  June  28,  1809  ;  m.  1831,  George  Sweetser  ;  Lucinda, 
m.  1833,  Luther  Locke,  of  Stoneham  ;  Mary,  b.  June  9, 1820  ;  m.  1846, 
M.  W.  Sullivan  ;    Ellis,  b.  July  17,  1815  ;  m.  1834,  Elizabeth  Wade,  of 
Lynnfield,  and  d.  in  1868 ;  Enos,  b.  1818  ;  m.  1838,  Susan  C.  Upham, 
of  Saugus ;  m.,  ad,  Hannah  S.  (Tuttle)  Fletcher.     By  second  wife,  he, 
Eli,  had  several  other  children. 

Mr.  Eli  Wiley  succeeded  his  father,  Nathaniel,  on  this  place,  which 
was  one  of  the  homesteads  of  the  Wiley  family. 

SALEM  STREET. 

• 

THOMAS  EVANS,  Jr.,  lived  in  a  one-storied  house  that  then  stood 
where  now  stands  the  larger  house  that  is  owned  and  occupied  by  LUT 
cius  B.  Evans.  He  was  son  of  Thomas  and  Rebecca  (Smith)  Evans  ; 
b.  1778;  m.  1802,  Phebe  Cummings,  of  Woburn ;  d.  1832,  aged  54. 
His  wid.  died  in  1871,  aged  90. 

Mr.  Evans  was  an  active,  industrious,  and  intelligent  man,  an  earnest 
and  effective  speaker  in  the  municipal  assembly,  an  honest  and  public- 
spirited  citizen ;  was  often  intrusted  with  public  office ;  was  a  shoe 
manufacturer,  trader,  and  to  some  extent  an  orchardist.  Children  : 
Phebe,  b.  1804  ;  m.  1826,  Capt.  Loel  Syveetser  ;  is  now  dead  ;  Rebecca, 
b.  1805  ;  m.  1825,  Capt.  George  Batchelder,  of  Reading;  he  died  in 
1868  ;  Thomas  Jefferson,  b.  1806  ;  m.  1836,  Mary  D.,  dau.  of  Eben  D. 
Symonds,  of  Reading  ;  he  lives  in  Woburn  ;  James  Madison,  b.  1809  ; 
m.  1833,  Sabrina  Wilson,  of  Saugus;  Otis  Morton,  b.  1813,  and  d. 
young;  Harriet  Newell,  b.  1815;  m.  1840,  Chas.  F.  Flint,  Esq.,  of 


372  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

North  Reading;  he  d.  in  1868;  Lucius  Bolles,  b.  1819  ;  m.,  ist,  1846, 
Lucy  Jane  Moulton  ;  m.,  zd,  1853,  Emily,  dau.  of  Reu.  Newhall ;  Geo. 
Washington,  b.  1821 ;  m.,  ist,  1843,  Harriet  Eaton  ;  m.,  zd,  1854,  Wid. 
Martha  (Upton)  Doton ;  Charlotte,  b.  1822,  is  unm. 

Mr.  Evans  was  preceded  on  this  place  by  Lilley  Eaton,  who  subse- 
quently built  the  house  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Salem  Streets.  The 
one-storied  house  was  purchased  some  years  ago  by  Sumner  Pratt,  re- 
moved to  Pleasant  Street,  and  there  enlarged. 

THOMAS  SWAIN,  MOLLY  PARKER,  brother  and  sister  (in  law),  lived 
in  a  house  lately  owned  by  Charles  F.  Flint,  Esq.,  and  recently  taken 
down. 

Thomas  Swain  was  son  of  Dr.  Oliver  and  Margaret  (Walton)  Swain  ; 
b.  1771;  m.  1795,  Betsey,  dau.  of  Ebenezer  and  Sarah  (Whittredge) 
Pope,  of  Danvers,  and  d.  1813,  aged  42.  He  was  by  profession  a 
schoolmaster;  taught  the  town  school  in  South  Reading  in  1809,  and 
was  teaching  at  Saugus  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Master  Swain  was  an  intelligent  and  worthy  man,  a  good  English 
scholar,  and,  as  a  teacher,  was  nervous,  somewhat  severe,  but  faithful 
and  successful.  He  had  no  children.  His  widow  long  survived  him, 
and  died  in  the  almshouse  a  few  years  since. 

Molly  Parker  was  dau.  of  Ebenezer  Pope,  and  sister  of  Master 
Swain's  wife,  and  widow  of  Hananiah  Parker.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 
She  was  m.,  ist,  to  Mr.  Parker  in  1787.  He  d.  1798,  aged  32.  She 
m.,  2d,  Joseph  Boutwell,  of  Reading,  in  1834,  and  is  now  dead.  Her 
mother,  Wid.  Sarah  Pope,  d.  1832,  aged  94.  Chil. :  Oliver,  who  d. 
young;  William,  b.  1790,  and  m.  1818,  Abigail  Haynes  ;  Thomas,  b. 
1792;  m.  1819,  Hannah  Emerson,  and  d.  1868;  Polly,  b.  1794;  m. 
1817,  Capt.  Samuel  Wiley,  and  lived  and  died  in  Hartford,  Conn.; 
Oliver, b.  1797,  m.  Sophia  Pope,  of  Salem;  Lydia,  b.  1798;  m.  1821, 
James  B.  Emerson,  and  d.  at  Natchez,  Miss.,  of  yellow  fever,  in 
1822. 

The  house  was  built  by  Joseph  Gould,  and  the  boards  were  fast- 
ened with  wooden  pins  instead  of  nails.  It  was  taken  down  in 
1866. 

LEMUEL  SWEET  SILR  lived  in  the  house  now  owned  and  occupied  by 
Capt.  Asaph  Evans.  He  was  son  of  Paul  and  Mary  (Hart)  Sweetser  ; 
b.  1779 ;  m.  1801,  Hannah,  dau.  of  Lilley  and  Sarah  Eaton,  and  d.  of 
pulmonary  consumption  in  1835,  aged  56.  He  was  colonel  of  cavalry, 
school  committee,  justice  of  the  peace,  and  representative.  His  busi- 
ness was  shoe  manufacturing. 

Col.  Sweetser  possessed  strong  native  gifts  ;  was  an  original  thinker 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


373 


well-posted ;  an  effective  public  speaker  ;  a  man  of  firmness,  courage, 
and  probity.  In  some  particulars  he  was  remarkable  and  peculiar. 
He  had  a  mind  of  his  own  ;  never  took  opinions  second-hand ;  never 
admitted  any  proposition  to  be  true,  until  he  had  thoroughly  analyzed 
it ;  often  seeming  to  favor  the  side  of  a  question  which  he  believed  to 
be  the  wrong  side,  for  the  purpose  of  drawing  out  the  arguments  of 
that  side  ;  he  had  a  good  opinion  of  his  own  judgment ;  for  instance : 
when  about  locating  his  new  house,  which  he  built  on  Main 
Street  (the  same  recently  owned  by  P.  C.  Wheeler,  Esq.),  he 
called  his  brethren  and  kinsfolk  together,  and  asked  their  advice 
how  it  was  best  to  locate  and  face  the  new  building ;  and  having 
got  the  assembled  wisdom  of  his  friends  in  the  matter,  one  of 
whom  (B.  Badger,  Jr.,  Esq.)  was  a  practical  surveyor,,  he  then  pro- 
ceeded to  place  his  stakes  in  an  entirely  different  position-,  and  then 
said  to  his  friends  :  "Gentlemen,  —  I  am  much  obliged  for  your  advice, 
but  the  house  will  stand  there."  It  was  a  marked  trait  in  the  colonel's 
character,  a  trait  common  and  notable,  to  a  considerable  extent,  in  the 
whole  Sweetser  family,  to  have  a  very  excellent  opinion  of  his  own 
belongings,  whether  of  houses,  lands,  wife,  children,  or  any  other  pos- 
session, not  excepting  himself.  He  had  a  large  organ  of  order,  neat- 
ness, and  exactness ;  was  ever  prompt,  practical,  and  conscientious 
withal,  as  was  evinced  by  his  scruples  about  the  propriety  of  answering 
an  order  for  supplying  the  trade  with  a  variety  of  shoes  called  "dan- 
cing pumps."  He  was  very  fond  of  the  military  organization,  particu- 
larly the  cavalry  corps,  in  which  he  was  an  accomplished  officer  and 
colonel ;  and  when  his  regimental  chaplain  was  absent,  he  would  him- 
self perform  the  sacerdotal  service  to  great  acceptance.  His  especial 
fondness  for  the  cavalry  branch  of  the  militia  was  perhaps  owing  to 
his  love  of,  and  pride  in,  a  noble  steed ;  and  he  never  used  any  other 
than  a  good  one.  He  possessed  and  exercised  an  extended  influence 
in  the  town,  and  particularly  in  the  Baptist  society,  of  which  he  was  a 
prominent  founder,  and  a  life-long,  earnest  supporter ;  he  was  public- 
spirited  and  liberal ;  a  friend  of  the  common  school  and  of  education  gen- 
erally ;  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  "  South  Reading  Academy." 
The  colonel  had  not  been  much  taught  in  the  schools,  but  the  follow- 
ing lines,  the  composition  of  which  has  been  ascribed  to  him,  the  same 
having  been  found  among  his  papers,  in  his  own  chirography,  and  with 
his  own  sign-manual  attached,  show  (whether  he  was  the  author  or 
not)  the  bent  of  his  mind  and  sentiment  at  the  time,  and  that  he  had 
some  relish  for  rhythmical  composition  :  — 


374  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

A  NEW  CATECHISM, 

MORE  STUDIED  THAN  AN  OLDER  AND  A  BETTER  ONE. 

What  is  the  chief  end  of  man  ? 

To  gather  up  riches,  to  cheat  all  he  can  ; 

To  flatter  the  rich,  the  poor  to  despise, 

To  pamper  the  fool,  to  humble  the  wise  ; 

The  rich  to  assist,  —  to  do  all  in  his  power, 

To  kick  the  unfortunate  still  a  peg  lower  ; 

To  cry  up  fair  freedom,  defend  it  with  vigor, 

Have  slaves  without  number  and  use  them  with  rigor ; 

To  deal  fair  with  all  men  —  when  riches  attend  them, 

To  grind  down  the  poor  —  when  there 's  none  to  defend  them ; 

To  seduce  the  fair  virgin  to  accept  his  embrace, 

To  cast  on  her  then  all  the  shame  and  disgrace  ; 

To  be  angel  without,  and  devil  within,  — 

To  pretend  to  all  virtue  and  practise  all  sin  ; 

This  is  most  men's  chief  end  or  their  actions  belie  them, 

And  if  you  don't  believe  it,  —  you  may  e'en  go  and  try  them. 

Signed,  LEMUEL  SWEETSER, 

Reading,  1798. 

Chil. :  Loel,  b.  1802  ;  m.,  ist,  1826,  Phebe  Evans ;  m.,  2d,  1862, 
Evelina  S.  Sibley,  and  d.  in  1873  ;  Olive,  b.  1805,  and  m.  1840,  Dea. 
Martin  Stowell  (2d  wife)  ;  Lemuel,  b.  1807,  and  m.  1831,  Clarissa 
Wiley;  Nelson,  b.  1809  ;  is  unm. ;  insane;  Elbridge,  b.  1815,  m.  1838, 
Mary  Richardson.' 

The  easterly  part  of  this  house  was  owned  by  Joseph  Gould  in  1795  ; 
and  the  westerly  part  was  then  the  property  of  Elizabeth,  wid.  of  Israel 
Walton,  who  m.  in  1791,  Paul  Sweetser,  Sen. 

TIMOTHY  POOLE  lived  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  his  son,  Frank- 
lin Poole,  Esq. 

He  was  son  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  Poole  (see  Early  Settlers) ;  born 
1762 ;  m.,  ist,  1787,  Lucy,  dau.  of  Ebenezer  Pope  ;  m.,  2d,  1798  or  '9, 
Jerusha  Richardson,  of  Woburn.  He  was  a  house  painter  and  an  in- 
genious mechanic  ;  an  industrious  and  faithful  workman  ;  of  a  disposi- 
tion fretful,  oftentimes,  "  because  of  evil  doers,"  but  fond  of  practical 
jokes,  such  as  slyly  painting  a  cabbage  upon  a  corner  of  a  tailor's  sign, 
and  other  innocent  jests.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Univer- 
salist  society  in  this  place,  an  honest  citizen  and  kind  neighbor. 

He  died  Feb.  10,  1828  ;  his  death  was  occasioned  by  a  fall  from  the 
upper  scaffold  of  his  barn.  Chil. :  Lucy,  b.  1789  ;  m.  Mr.  Jennings  ;  is 
now  dead ;  Caroline,  b.  1802  ;  lived  in  Cambridge,  and  d.  unm. ;  Al- 
exander, b.  1804;  m.,  ist,  1847,  Cynthia  Rugg,  and  2d,  1873,  Lucy  A. 
Upton ;  he  is  a  physician ;  formerly  of  Chelsea,  now  of  Wakefield  ; 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  375 

Franklin,  b.  1808 ;  m.  Rebecca  P.  Rollins,  of  Deerfield,  N.  H. ;  is  an 
artist ;  has  been  representative,  and  lives  on  the  homestead  in  Wake- 
field. 

The  predecessor  of  Mr.  Poole  on  this  place  was  Elias  Emerson,  who 
removed  to  Lancaster. 

BENJ.  BADGER,  Sen.,  AND  BENJ.  BADGER,  Jr.,  father  and  son,  lived 
on  the  place  now  owned  by  Wid.  Sarah  Brown,  and  long  known  as  the 
"  Badger  Place." 

Benj.  Badger,  Sen.,  aforesaid,  came  from  Boston  ;  was  a  soldier  of 
the  Revolution  ;  m.  Naomi,  dau.  of  Joseph  and  Phebe  Emerson  ;  was 
selectman  and  schoolmaster. 

He  was  a  man  of  intelligence  and  probity ;  was  peculiar  for  his  reti- 
cence and  sententiousness.  He  removed  to  Charlestown,  where  he 
died  at  an  advanced  age.  His  wife  was  a  most  excellent  woman  ;  a 
pattern  of  amiability  and  piety.  Chil. :  Benjamin  (see  below) ;  Thomas, 
a  portrait  painter,  who  lived  in  Boston,  and  has  recently  deceased ; 
Betsey,  who  m.  1809,  Bill  Richardson,  and  is  d. ;  John,  who  m.  Betsey 
Howard,  and  settled  and  died  in  Charlestown. 

BENJ.  BADGER,  Jr.,  was  b.  about  1779;  m.,  ist,  1808,  Katharine, 
dau.  of  Lilley  and  Sarah  Eaton ;  removed  to  Charlestown,  where  he 
d.  1855,  aged  76.  He  m.,  2d,  Wid.  Eliza  (Green)  Stone.  Was  select- 
man and  justice  of  the  peace,  land  surveyor,  a  noted  mathematician, 
and  a  philosopher  generally. 

Although  self-taught,  he  became  learned  in  many  branches  of  sci- 
ence. Like  his  father,  he  was  a  man  of  few  words,  and  could  think 
and  write  better  than  he  could  talk.  He  was  a  great  lover  of  physical 
science,  and  very  ingenious  and  successful  in  developing  and  exhibiting 
its  curious  wonders ;  his  house  was  full  of  philosophical  apparatus. 
Chil. :  Katharine,  b.  1811,  is  a  popular  teacher,  and  lives  in  Charles- 
town,  unm. ;  Benjamin  Franklin,  b.  1820 ;  m.  1845,  Frances  Ellen 
Hammond. 

This  house  was  built,  in  part,  from  the  old  parish  school-house,  that 
once  stood  near  where  formerly  stood  the  First  Parish  parsonage  ;  in 
which  old  school-house,  the  said  Benjamin,  Sen.,  was  sometime  school- 
master. 

AMOS  EVANS  lived  about  this  time  on  the  place  not  long  since  oc- 
cupied by  the  late  Silas  Richardson,  in  a  house  recently  burnt  down. 

He  was  son  of  Tho.  and  Rebecca  Evans;  b.  1787  ;  m.  1811,  Kath- 
arine, dau.  of  Jethro  Richardson  ;  was  a  jeweller ;  removed  to  Reading, 
where  he  long  lived  ;  was  a  Baptist  deacon,  and  now  resides  in  Wake- 
field. 


376  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

This  old  place  was  the  residence  formerly  of  Joseph  Gould,  who 
came  from  Stoneham  ;  m.  Mary  Badger ;  built  several  houses  on  this 
street ;  was  a  sort  of  self-made  carpenter  and  wheelwright ;  he  died 
in  1810. 

ELIZABETH  BRYANT  built  about  this  time  the  house  recently  occupied  ' 
by  the  late  James  Walton.     She  was  the  dau.  of  Josiah  and  Lydia 
(Green)  Bryant;  m.  1818,  James  Walton.     Before  marriage,  she  was  a 
popular  tailoress  ;  very  industrious  and  successful. 

James  Walton  was  the  son  of  Timothy  Walton  (see  Early  Settlers) ; 
and  was  born  in  Lynnfield,  about  1785.  Before  his  marriage,  he  lived 
in  the  easterly  part  of  the  town,  on  the  place  now  known  as  the  Austin 
place. 

He  was  a  man  of  intelligence  and  integrity ;  slow  and  cautious  in 
embracing  opinions,  but  firm  and  pertinacious  in  maintaining  them. 
Was  selectman  ;  he  d.  1860,  aged  75.  His  wid.  removed  to  Lawrence, 
and  there  d.  in  1868.  Chil. :  James  Coleman  Wheelock,  b.  1819,  and 
m.  1843,  Mary  Cowdrey,  and  lives  in  Wakefield ;  George  Augustus, 
b.  1822  ;  m.  and  removed  to  Lawrence ;  was  principal  of  the  high 
school  there ;  was  an  alderman  ;  is  author  of  popular  text-books  in 
arithmetic,  and  is  now  teacher  in  Westfield  Normal  School ;  Daniel 
Gould,  b.  1824;  m.  E.  Jeanette  Aborn,  and  lives  in  Wakefield;  Josiah, 
b.  1828,  and  d.  1838. 

THOMAS  WOODWARD  occupied  the  larger  portion  of  the  house  now 
owned  by  his  son,  Ralph  E.  Woodward  ;  he  was  son  of  James  and 
Rebecca  Woodward  (see  Early  Settlers) ;  was  born  in  Lynnfield,  in 
1773;  was  a  very  ingenious  mechanic  and  nice  workman;  was  the 
original  manufacturer  of  the  celebrated  "  Woodward's  Awls,"  and  other 
improved  shoe-tools.  The  original  invention  or  suggestion  of  "  Emer- 
son's Elastic  Razor  Straps,"  has  been  credited  to  Mr.  Woodward.  He 
was  an  honest,  industrious,  and  kind-hearted  man,  but  possessed  some 
peculiarities  of  character ;  he  had  an  inquiring  and  rather  credulous 
mind ;  any  new  idea,  either  in  physic,  physics,  or  ethics,  he  was  ever 
ready  to  adopt,  and  if  he  thought  it  valuable,  he  was  disposed  to  pursue 
it  with  great  sincerity  and  pertinacity  of  purpose  ;  hence  we  find  him 
ever  trying  some  new  experiment  in  manufacturing,  using  some  newly 
invented  pills  or  cordial,  making  a  "  Tincture,"  that  becomes  and  still 
continues  a  popular  medicine,  becoming  an  anti-Mason  and  abolition- 
ist of  the  most  approved  patterns,  and  an  honest  and  sincere  believer 
in  Millerism.  He  was,  however,  a  very  useful  citizen.  He  lived  to  be 
aged,  and  his  body  outlived  his  mind.  He  d.  1860,  aged  87^. 

He  m.,  ist,  1794,  Nancy  Batt,  by  whom  he  had  :    Thomas,  b.   1798, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


377 


who  m.  1818,  Esther  Slocomb,  and  was  father  of  James  F.  and  other 
children ;  Nancy,  b.  1800,  who  m.  Mr.  Mclntire,  of  Saugus. 

Mr.  Woodward  m.,  2d,  Rebecca  Johnson,  of  Lynnfield,  and  by  her 
had  many  children,  among  whom  were:  Edwin,  b.  1811 ;  m.  Selina 
Sweetser,  and  occupied  the  northerly  part  of  the  house  now  owned  by 
Ralph  E.  Woodward.  He  d.  1866  ;  Ralph  Erskine,  b.  1814 ;  m.,  ist, 
Elizabeth  Rayner,  and  m.,  2d,  Miss  Pervear.  There  were  daugh- 
ters, Eliza  P.,  Rebecca  J.,  Angelina  C.,  Sabrina,  Ellemandia,  Sarah, 
Eliza,  Mary,  Ann,  Orrella,  perhaps  others.  Ralph  E.  now  owns  the 
place. 

EBENEZER  BRYANT  lived  in  that  part  of  the  house  above  noticed, 
that  was  recently  occupied  by  Edwin  Woodward,  and  in  which  Eliza- 
beth Bryant,  the  tailoress,  sister  of  said  Ebenezer,  formerly  lived  prior 
to  her  marriage.  Ebenezer,  son  of  Josiah  and  Lydia  (Green)  Bryant, 
m.  1804,  Hannah  Centre.  He  removed  many  years  since  to  Charles- 
town,  where  he  recently  deceased.  Wm.  C.  Bryant,  now  of  Wake- 
field,  and  the  late  Rev.  Charles  Bryant,  were  his  sons ;  he  had  other 
children. 

The  predecessor  of  Messrs.  Woodward  and  Bryant  on  this  place  was 
a  Mr.  Smith. 

THOMAS  SKINNER  about  this  time  purchased  the  wheelwright's  shop 
that  stood  near  where  the  town  pound  now  is  ;  (a  shop  that  was  erected 
some  years  before  by  David  Gardner,  from  Hingham,  a  dau.  of  whom 
is  now  the  wife  of  Calvin  Nichols,  of  Wakefield) ;  Mr.  Skinner  removed 
this  shop  to  the  foot  of  Fitch's  hill,  and  fitted  it  up  for  a  dwelling- 
house  ;  the  same  that  is  now  owned  by  Joseph  Connell.  Here  Mr. 
Skinner  spent  the  residue  of  his  life.  He  had  previously  lived  for 
some  years  in  the  small  farm-house  that  once  stood  on  the  Olive  New- 
ell place.  He  was  son  of  Benja.  Skinner,  of  Woburn  ;  was  born  in 
Woburn  ;  m.  Mary  Parrott,  of  Salem  ;  died  1864,  aged  80. 

Mr.  Skinner  possessed  good  natural  abilities,  but  was  uneducated ; 
in  business  he  was  diligent  and  shrewd,  but  impetuous  and  hasty;  as  a 
religionist  he  was  sincere,  but  impulsive  and  sometimes  enthusiastic. 
He  was  a  kind  neighbor,  a  faithful  friend,  and  a  good  citizen.  Chil. : 
Mary,  who  m.  Joseph  Wheeler,  and  is  now  a  wid. ;  Lucinda,  who  m. 
Capt.  Asaph  Evans,  of  Wakefield  ;  Thomas  B.,  who  m.  Phebe  Smith, 
and  lives  in  Wakefield  ;  Wm.  Green,  who  m.  Olive  E  ton,  and  lives  in 
Wakefield  ;  Oliver  Parker,  who  d.  at  sea,  unm. ;  Elizabeth,  who  m. 
Rev.  John  Upton,  and  is  now  dead ;  Abigail,  who  d.  at  the  age  of  17, 
unm. ;  Gustavus  F.  Davis,  who  m.  Ann  Maria  Walton,  and  lives  in 
Wakefield. 

48 


378 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


WILLIAM  PATCH  came  from  Francestown,  N.  H.,  and  built,  about 
this  time,  the  house  now  owned  by  Daniel  Nichols. 

He  was  a  captain  of  infantry  and  a  wealthy  and  intelligent  man.  He 
died  in  middle  life.  The  place  was  afterwards  owned  a  while  by  Phin- 
eas  Bailey,  who  added  the  second  story. 

JEREMIAH  BROWN  and  WILLIAM  BROWN,  father  and  son,  lived  on  the 
place  occupied  by  said  son. 

Jeremiah  Brown  was  the  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Ruth  (Welman) 
Brown,  and  grandson  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (see  Early  Settlers) ;  was 
b.  1755  >  m-  I777>  Lydia,  dau.  of  Dea.  John  and  Ruth  (Burnap) 
Smith.  They  both  d.  1822  ;  he  at  67,  and  she  at  69.  He  was  a  noted 
singer,  and  was  chorister  at  the  old  parish  church  for  many  years. 
Children:  John,  b.  1779,  and  d.  soon;  John,  b.  1780(566  after); 
Thomas  Burnap,  b.  1783;  d.  1822,  unm. ;  Lydia,  b.  1786,  and  m. 
Abraham  Sweetser ;  William,  b.  1791  (see  below)  ;  Jeremiah,  b.  1798, 
and  m.  1826,  Betsey  French,  of  Tewksbury  ;  had  no  children  ;  a  man 
of  great  diffidence  and  bashfulness ;  honest,  but  weak-minded,  and  in 
his  later  years,  insane. 

William  Brown,  b.  1791 ;  m.  1819,  Hannah  J.  Eames,  of  Wilming- 
ton, and  had  chil. :  Wm.  Locke,  b.  1821  ;  m.  Frances  Matilda  Oliver, 
of  Maiden  ;  grad.  at  the  University  of  New  York  ;  was  a  counsellor- 
at-law,  justice  of  the  peace,  selectman,  etc.  He  was  a  well-read 
lawyer,  but  possessed  rather  a  large  share  of  self-esteem  and  vanity. 
He  died  of  croup,  in  1863.  Lydia  Smith,  b.  1822,  and  m.  Mr.  Rich- 
ardson, of  Stoneham ;  Thomas  B.  is  a  counsellor-at-law  in  Chicago, 
111.;  Abigail  and  Hannah  Elizabeth,  both  died  in  early  life;  Mary, 
lives  in  Wakefield. 

This  old  place  was  the  early  homestead  of  the  Burnap  family,  who 
were  among  the  very  early  settlers. 

Thomas  Burnap,  who  was  born  in  1689,  was  living  on  the  place  in 
about  1765. 

Lydia  Smith,  whom  Jeremiah  Brown  m.  in  1777,  was  niece  of  said 
Thomas  Burnap,  became  his  heir,  and  succeeded  to  the  farm. 

John  Brown,  son  of  Jeremiah,  as  aforesaid,  and  born  1779,  lived  on 
the  place  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Jonathan  Nichols,  having  built 
thereon  the  house  in  which  he  lived.  The  house  has  since  been 
enlarged.  He  m.  1805,  Abigail  Trull,  of  Tewksbury.  Was  a  quiet, 
honest,  frugal,  unaspiring  man  ;  had  no  children  ;  he  succeeded  his 
father  at  the  homestead.  He  d.  1864,  aged  84^. 

SAMUEL  PETERS  lived  where  Nathan  Slocomb  now  lives ;  was  a 
native  of  Andover;  son  of  Benj.  Peters;  m.  1791,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


379 


Timothy  and  Lydia  (Walton)  Stearns,  of  Reading  and  Lynnfield.  Chil. : 
Samuel,  Benjamin,  and  Timothy,  who  early  left  home,  and  their  fate  is 
unknown;  Eliza,  b.  1801,  who  m.  Jacob  Parker;  Lydia,  who  m.  Na- 
than Slocomb  ;  Naamah,  who  m.  Peter  Tucker.  The  daughters  Eliza 
and  Lydia  are  dead. 

Mr.  Peters  was  the  first  resident  on  this  spot,  and  paid  for  his  house 
lot  by  watering,  for  a  course  of  years,  Mr.  John  Gould's  cattle,  whose 
pasture  adjoined. 

MICHAEL  BURDITT  lived  where  Joseph  Burditt,  his  son,  now  lives ; 
he  was  son  of  Joseph  Burditt,  a  native  of  Maiden,  who  m.  1766,  Sarah, 
dau.  of  Michael  Sweetser,  of  Reading.  Mr.  Michael  Burditt  m.  1801, 
Polly  Dix,  of  Townsend.  He  was  a  respectable  citizen,  not  particularly 
conspicuous.  He  d.  1854,  aged  76.  Chil. :  Michael,  b.  1803,  who 
became  a  Congregational  clergyman  ;  was  chaplain  in  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion,  and  now  resides  in  Philadelphia  ;  Mary  Dix,  b.  1806  ;  m., 
ist,  1826,  Rev.  Samuel  Nichols ;  he  d.  in  1844,  and  she  m.,  2d,  John 
Stow,  and  now  lives  in  Dedham  ;  Sarah,  who  lives  in  Wakefield,  unm. ; 
Oliver,  who  m.,  ist,  1829,  Mary  Henfieldjm.,  2d,  Miss  Mansfield; 
Samuel,  became  a  physician,  settled  in  Philadelphia,  and  has  recently 
died ;  Joseph,  m.  1832,  Sarah  J.  Mansfield,  of  Lynnfield,  and  has 
succeeded  to  the  homestead ;  George  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion. 

Mr.  Burditt  was  the  builder  and  first  occupant  of  this  house. 

WILLIAM  GOULD  lived  in  a  small,  low  house,  that  stood  near  that 
long  occupied  by  his  widow,  recently  deceased,  and  lately  purchased 
by  Geo.  H.  Wiley. 

He  was  son  of  Daniel  and  Martha  (Nichols)  Gould ;  b.  1 784 ;  m. 
1802,  Sally,  dau.  of  Col.  Joshua  Burnham  ;  died  1833,  aged  49,  Chil. : 
Sally,  b.  1802;  d.  1821,  of  pul.  consumption;  William,  b.  1804;  m. 
1827,  Louisa  Hawkes,  of  Lynnfield,  and  is  d. ;  Abigail,  b,  1807  ;  m. 
1833,  Noah  Derby,  and  is  d. ;  Daniel  and  Joshua,  twins,  b.  1809  ;  died 
in  early  manhood,  unm. ;  Mary,  b.  1811 ;  m.  1833,  Alfred  Stimpson, 
and  is  a  wid. ;  Martha,  b.  1813  ;  m.  1834,  Lewis  Fairbanks,  of  Wake- 
field  ;  Abraham,  b.  1816  ;  Lucy,  b.  1818  ;  m.  1839,  Thomas  E,  Cox,  of 
Lynnfield  ;  Joseph,  b.  1821 ;  is  unm. ;  Sarah,  b.  1823  ;  m.  John  Sweet- 
ser, 3d  ;  Hannah,  married  Abner  N.  Blanchard, 

Mr.  Gould  was  a  man  of  good  natural  abilities  ;  a  frequent  speaker 
in  town-meetings  ;  possessed  a  good  share  of  self-esteem  ;  was  a  lively 
and  industrious  man  of  business ;  a  good  player  on  the  fife  ;  an  honest 
citizen.  He  accumulated  property,  and  built  the  house  now  standing 
on  this  spot. 


GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

DANIEL  GOULD,  brother  of  the  foregoing,  lived  on  the  place  now 
occupied  by  Abraham  Gould;  was  b.  1769;  m.  1800,  Rebecca, dau.  of 
Timothy  Walton  ;  died  1839,  aged  70  ;  he  had  no  children. 

He  succeeded  his  father  on  this  place.  The  place  formerly  belonged 
to  the  Swain  family. 

His  father  was  Daniel,  son  of  Daniel,  and  m.  1765,  Martha  Nichols, 
and  had  chil. :  Martha,  b.  1767,  andm.  1787,  Jacob  Parker  ;  Daniel,  b. 
1769  (noticed  above);  Lucy,  b.  1770;  d.  unm.;  Hannah,  b.  1776;  d. 
unm. ;  William,  b.  1784  (noticed  above). 

The  above-named  Daniel  Gould,  the  father  of  Daniel  and  William, 
kept  a  journal,  in  which  he  noticed  from  time  to  time,  passing  events, 
chiefly,  however,  those  of  a  private  and  local  character.  Occasionally, 
he  mentioned  a  more  public  matter ;  for  instance :  under  date  of  March 
3,  1780,  he  writes :  "  The  last  winter  has  been  an  uncommon  hard  one ; 
it  began  on  the  first  of  December,  and  continued  till  the  middle  of  Feb- 
ruary, without  scarcely  any  thaw,  and  the  snow  very  deep."  This  was 
the  year  when  the  snow  was  so  abundant  and  the  cold  so  severe,  that 
the  highways  of  the  town  were  impassable  for  teams,  for  many  weeks 
together ;  and  when  the  farmers,  this  Mr.  Gould  being  one  of  them, 
went  on  rackets  or  snow-shoes  to  Danvers  Tide  Mills,  taking  thither 
their  grists  on  hand  sleds,  and  going  in  a  straight  course  to  Danvers, 
without  regard  to  roads  or  fences. 

Under  date  of  May  19,  1780,  he  writes  :  "This  was  an  uncommon 
dark  day ;  it  came  on  in  the  forenoon,  about  10  or  n  o'clock,  and  con- 
tinued till  some  time  in  the  afternoon,  and  was  followed  by  an  un- 
common dark  night ;  the  day  was  so  dark  that  we  were  obliged  to  light 
a  candle  to  see  to  eat  dinner."  This  is  the  day,  an  account  of  which 
is  so  beautifully  and  poetically  paraphrased  by  Whittier :  — 


"  'T  was  on  a  May  day  of  the  far  old  year    ' 
Seventeen  hundred  eighty,  that  there  fell 
Over  the  bloom  and  sweet  life  of  the  Spring, 
Over  the  fresh  earth  and  the  heaven  of  noon, 
A  horror  of  great  darkness,  like  the  night 
In  day,  of  which  the  Norland  Sagas  tell, 
The  twilight  of  the  gods.     The  low-hung  sky 
Was  fringed  with  a  dull  glow,  like  that  which  climbs 
The  crater's  sides  from  the  red  hell  below. 
Birds  ceased  to  sing ;  and  all  the  barnyard  fowls 
Roosted ;  the  cattle  at  the  pasture  bars 
Lowed  and  looked  homeward ;  bats  on  leathern  wings 
Flitted  abroad  ;  the  sounds  of  labor  died  ; 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  381 

Men  prayed  and  women  wept ;  all  ears  grew  sharp 
To  hear  the  doom  blast  of  the  trumpet  shatter 
The  black  sky,  that  the  dreadful  face  of  Christ 
Might  look  from  the  rent  clouds,  not  as  he  looked 
A  loving  guest  at  Bethany,  but  stern 
As  justice  and  inexorable  law." 

ISSACHAR  STOWELL  lived  in  the  small  house  that  stands  opposite 
(across  the  street)  to  the  house  recently  occupied  by  him,  and  where 
he  d.  in  1868.  He  was  son  of  Capt.  Issacher  and  Lydia  Stowell,  of 
Hingham  ;  was  b.  about  1786  ;  m.,  ist,  1806,  Betsey  Green  ;  she  d.  1817, 
aged  28  or  33  ;  m.,  zd,  1818,  Lydia  Williams.  Chil.  :  Eliza,  b.  1807  ; 
Issachar,  b.  1809,  m.  1832,  Louisa  Slocomb,  and  died  1866 ;  Haswell 
G.,  b.  1812,  settled  in  Reading,  has  been  twice  married,  and  is  now 
dead;  Elbridge,  b.  1816,  m.  1841,  Susan  M.  Stimson  ;  Lydia  A., 
b.  1819,  m.  1841,  Chas.  W.  Pond  ;  Henry  W.,  b.  1821 ;  Mary  Q.,  b. 
1824;  Caroline,  b.  1826.  This  farm  was  occupied  in  1795  by  Jacob 
Parker,  who  died  in  1797.  It  formerly  belonged  to  the  Swain  family. 
Capt.  John  Swain  appears  to  have  been  living  thereon  in  1765. 

BENJAMIN  PETERS  lived  on  the  farm  lately  owned  and  occupied  by 
Edward  Upton,  in  a  very  ancient  building,  a  part  of  which  was  sup- 
posed to  be  (1844)  as  old  as  the  settlement  of  the  town,  but  which  was 
removed  at  the  erection  of  Mr.  Upton's  present  residence.  This  old 
place  was  the  homestead  of  Nicholas  Brown,  an  original  settler,  and 
the  common  ancestor  of  the  Reading  Browns.  The  farm  continued 
in  the  Brown  family  and  name  until  1783,  when  Benjamin  Peters, 
from  Andover,  m.  in  1783,  Martha,  dau.  of  Jeremiah  and  Ruth 
Brown,  and  succeeded  to  the  homestead.  He  was  son  of  Benjamin 
Peters,  who  came,  with  his  sons,  from  Andover,  and  d.  1812,  aged  84. 
Benj.,  Jr.,  who  m.  Martha  Brown,  had  one  dau.,  Patty,  who  was  imbe- 
cile in  body  and  mind,  and  d.  unm.  He  d.  1815,  aged  60.  His  widow 
subsequently  sold  out  and  removed  to  Andover,  and  William  Brown, 
her  neghew,  became  the  owner  and  occupant. 

JOHN  BROWN,  2d,  lived  oa  the  place  recently  owned  by  the  late 
Edmund  E.  Wiley,  and  in  1869  occupied  by  Rev.  Horace  Eaton, 
who  married  the  said  Edmunds'  widow.  Mr.  Brown  was  son  of 
Pearson  Brown  (see  Early  Settlers),  and  grand-nephew  of  John 
Brown,  a  bachelor,  who  was  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Eleanor  (Stearns) 
Brown,  and  who  died  1811,  aged  78.  John  Brown,  2d,  became  the 
heir  and  successor  of  his  uncle,  and  m.  1813,  Fanny,  dau.  of  Jacob 
and  Martha  (Gould)  Parker.  She  d.  1824,  aged  31,  and  he  m.,  2d,  in 
1825,  Harriet,  dau.  of  Reuben  Green,  and  removed  to  Greenwood  and 


382 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


subsequently  to  Chestnut  Street,  where  he  d.  March  6,  1864.  Chil. : 
Fanny,  b.  1814,  who  m.  1833,  Elbridge  Green,  Esq.,  of  Melrose  ;  Lydia, 
b.  1816,  who  m.  1835,  John  Derby,  of  Wakefield  ;  Eunice,  b.  1819,  who 
m.  1837,  James  Barrett,  of  Melrose  ;  Harriet  Elizabeth,  b.  1826,  d. 
young;  John  Pearson,  b.  1829,  d.  young;  Hervey  Wilbur,  b.  1832,  m. 
and  d.  young  man  ;  Charles  Baker,  b.  1834,  m.  1865,  Elvira  J.  Stevens, 
of  Orford,  N.  H.  ;  Harriet,  b.  1844,  m.  1866,  T.  Judson  Skinner.  Mr. 
Brown  was  a  man  of  intelligence  and  respectability,  industrious  and 
smart,  possessed  of  a  highly  social  and  vivacious  disposition,  and 
fond  of  relating  anecdotes,  of  which  he  had  an  inexhaustible  fund, 
and  could  always  tell  a  story  to  match  any  one  that  he  heard,  no  mat- 
ter how  large.  His  wife,  Harriet,  died  March  28,  1871. 

TIMOTHY  WALTON  and  EBENEZER  WALTON,  father  and  son,  lived 
on  the  place  recently  occupied  by  Oliver  Walton,  Jr.,  in  an  old  house 
that  was  taken  down  when  the  said  Oliver,  Jr.,  built  the  house  now 
occupied  by  H.  D.  Austin. 

Timothy  Walton,  was  son  of  Josiah  and  Ruth  Walton  (see  Early 
Settlers),  b.  1743,  m.  Rebecca  Mansfield,  of  Danvers ;  d.  1818.  Chil. : 
Josiah,  who  settled  in  Salem  ;  Ebenezer,  Andrew,  James,  Ruth,  Rebecca, 
who  settled  in  South  Reading,  and  Joseph,  who  was  drowned  in  Lynn, 
in  1792,  aged  23,  and  perhaps  others. 

Ebenezer  Walton,  m.  1806,  Azabah  Stiles,  of  Greenfield,  N.  H. 
Chil.  :  Mary,  b.  1807,  became  a  missionary  to  the  Indians ;  m.  1835, 
Ira  D.  Blanchard,  of  Missouri  Territory ;  Amos  L.,  born  1809,  m., 
ist,  1832,  Sarah  Melendy,  of  Reading;  m.,  zd,  Miss  Tasker  ;  Joshua, 
b.  1811,  m.  1832,  Harriet  Melendy,  of  Reading;  Elmira,  b.  1815; 
Ruth  Ann,  b.  1817  ;  Abigail,  b.  1819  ;  Joseph  Andrew,  b.  1822  ;  Tim- 
othy M.,  Ebenezer  Nelson,  and  perhaps  other  children. 

Mr.  Walton  subsequently  built  and  occupied  the  small  house  lately 
owned  by  the  late  Amos  L.  Walton.  He  buried  his  wife  in  1842 ; 
removed  to  Salem  ;  m.  again ;  is  now  dead.  He  was  an  earnest,  hon- 
est, industrious  man. 

ANDREW  WALTON,  brother  of  Ebenejer,  b.  1780;  m.  1807*  Sally, 
dau.  of  Nathan  Walton ;  they  lived  in  the  same  house  in  which  he 
recently  died,  and  which  he  himself  erected  ;  was  blind  for  several 
years,  and  d.  1868.  Children  :  Rachel,  b.  1809,  who  d.  unm. ;  Re- 
becca, b.  1813  ;  m.  1839,  Jotham  Aborn,  of  Wakefield;  Eliza,  b.  1818, 
and  lives  in  Wakefield. 

OLIVER  WALTON,  Sen.,  lived  where  his  son  Oliver,  Jr.,  now  lives.  He 
was  son  of  Jotham  and  Elizabeth  (Green)  Walton  (see  Early  Settlers)  ; 
b.  1758;  m.,  ist,  Rebecca  Tarbell,  of  Lynnfield ;  m.,  2d,  1833,  Mrs. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


383 


Mary  Smith.  Children:  Rebecca,  b.  1781;  Betsey,  b.  1783;  Polly 
Felton,  b.  1786,  and  m.  1807,  Aaron  Putnam  ;  Nancy,  b.  1788;  Oliver, 
b.  1791,  and  m.  1827,  Sarah  Smith,  of  Lynn;  he  lives  in  Wakefield, 
and  is  widely  known  as  an  extensive  and  honorable  trader  in  horses ; 
Marsena,  b.  1793,  and  m.  1814,  Elias  Larrabee  ;  Leonard,  b.  1795,  and 
m.  1820,  Nancy  Rugg;  Jonathan  Tarbell,  b.  1797,  and  m.  Sarah  H. 
Rugg  ;  John  and  Sarah  (twins)  ;  John,  b.  1800  ;  m.  1820,  Ann  Burrill ; 
Sarah,  b.  1800,  m.  1824,  Sewall  Fletcher;  Jotham,  b.  1802  ;  m.  1824, 
Sarah  Eaton.  . 

Oliver  Walton,  Sen.,  succeeded  on  this  place  his  father,  Jotham  Wal- 
ton, who  was  living  here  in  1765.  Mr.  Walton  (Oliver)  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolution,  a  quiet  and  industrious  citizen. 

ADAM  HAWKES  lived  where  Daniel  P.  Emerson  now  lives ;  was  son 
of  Adam  Hawkes,  of  Lynnfield,  who  lived  where  the  late  Joshua 
Hawkes  lived,  and  where  Geo.  L.  Hawkes  now  lives.  Mr.  Hawkes  was 
a  clothier  and  miller;  m.,  ist,  1790,  Sarah  Perkins,  of  Lynnfield ;  she 
d.  1810;  m.,  2d,  1811,  Anna  Payson ;  she  d.  1815,  aged  33;  m.,  3d, 
1816,  Elizabeth  Hall.  Chfl. :  Adam,  b.  1813  ;  m.  1836,  Cynthia  Hall ; 
removed  to  New  Hampshire  ;  John  Payson,  b.  1815  ;  resides  in  Lynn- 
field,  unm. ;  Harrison  Gray  Otis,  b.  1817  ;  m.  1840,  Mary  Ann  Walton, 
and  removed  to  New  Hampshire  ;  Sarah  P.,  b.  1820  ;  Gilman,  b.  1823, 
and  d.  1826  ;  Ann,  E.,  b.  1826,  who  m.,  ist,  1844,  E.  E.Wiley;  and  m., 
2d,  Rev.  Horace  Eaton,  who  was  son  of  David  and  Betsey,  and  was 
born  in  Goffstown,  N.  H.  ;  he  m.,  ist,  1843,  Sarah  Chandler,  dau.  of 
Dea.  Win.  Chandler,  of  Belfast,  N.  H. 

Lydia  Eve,  b.  1829,  and  m.,  ist,  1855,  W.  T.  Larkin;  m.,  2d,  1868, 
S.  A.  Blackstock.  » 

Mr.  Hawkes  was  a  man  of  respectability ;  a  representative  in  1811  ; 
d.  1831,  aged  66.  Retiring  in  his  disposition  and  habits,  still  ready  to 
communicate  on  all  proper  occasions,  ever  modest  and  unassuming,  his 
death  was  lamented  as  extensively  as  he  was  known. 

VERNON  STREET. 

PETER  GOULD  lived  near  the  southerly  end  of  Vernon  Street,  then 
called  the  "Lot-end-road,"  on  land  of  Jeremiah  Green,  in  quite  a  small 
house,  now  removed.  He  was  a  native  of  Africa  ;  had  been  a  slave  of 
Ebenezer  Gould,  of  Stoneham  ;  his  wife's  name  was  Chloe ;  he  had  a 
large  number  of  children,  all  but  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  one 
daughter,  Peggy,  survived,  and  was  a  shy,  timid,  feeble-minded  girl. 

Peter  was  an  honest,  hard-working  man,  and  supported  his  family 
comfortably  until  old  age  incapacitated  him  for  labor.  He  had  a  special 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

talent  for  building  stone  wall  for  fences,  at  which  business  he  was  very 
expert.  He  perished,  some  thirty  or  more  years  ago,  one  cold  day,  in 
a  snow-drift  in  Stoneham.  His  family  were  supported  at  last  by  the 
town  of  Stoneham.  Peggy  committed  suicide  by  drowning  herself  in  a 
well. 

JOHN  SWEETSER  lived  on  the  place  now  owned  by  Rev.  R.  W.  Cush- 
man's  heirs.  He  also  owned  at  this  time,  and  subsequently  occupied, 
the  house  and  place  now  occupied  by  Rev.  Dana  Clayes.  He  was 
son  of  Samuel  Sweetser,  who  d.  in  1818,  at  the  age  of  86  ;  and  John, 
d.  in  1847  ;  m.,  ist,  1782,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  William  and  Susanna 
Green  ;  m.,  2d,  1817,  Rebecca  Hawkes,  of  Lancaster,  and  dau.  of  Adam 
Hawkes,  of  Saugus,  it  being  her  first  marriage.  She  d.  1866,  aged 
100  years,  lacking  two  months.  Chil. :  John,  b.  1785;  m.  1807,  Bet- 
sey Bryant,  of  Stoneham,  and  settled  in  Lynnfield ;  is  now  dead ; 
Betsey,  b.  1789  ;  m.  1811,  Daniel  Green  of  Stoneham,  and  is  now  dead  ; 
Rebecca,  b.  1796  ;  m.  1822,  Rev.  Dana  Clayes,  then  of  Plainfield, 
N.  H.,  now  of  Wakefield;  Hiram,  b.  1802  ;  m.  1824,  Elizabeth  Healy. 

Mr.  John  Sweetser  was  in  early  life  a  shoe  manufacturer,  and  sub- 
sequently a  farmer,  and  in  both  departments  was  enterprising  and  suc- 
cessful ;  was  a  man  of  intelligence,  punctuality,  and  probity ;  was  a 
sold  er  of  the  Revolution. 

The  house  and  farm,  now  owned  by  Rev.  Dr.  Cushman's  heirs,  as 
aforesaid,  with  some  variation  in  the  lands,  was  occupied  in  1765  by 
Thomas  Emerson,  son  of  Ebenezer,  and  born  in  1724  (see  Early  Set- 
tlers) ;  he  had  a  larg?  family  of  children,  who  became  the  heads  of 
several  important  and  influential  families,  viz. :  Elizabeth,  b.  1753, 
and  m.  1777,  Benjamin  Emerson  (see  before);  Hannah,  b.  1755;  m. 
1793,  Capt.  Timo.  Wakefield  (2d  wife);  Thomas,  b.  1757;  m.  1782, 
Ruth  Bancroft  (see  before);  William,  b.  1760;  m.,  ist,  1782,  Sarah 
Cowdrey,  of  South  Reading;  m.,  2d,  1785,  Mary  Vinton,  of  Stoneham  ; 
settled  in  Maiden  (now  Melrose),  and  his  descendants  in  Melrose  are 
numerous  and  enterprising;  Jerusha,  b.  1762  ;  m.  1782,  Capt.  Nathan- 
iel Cowdrey;  Susanna,  b.  1764;  m.  1793,  Wm.  Williams,  of  Maiden, 
who  afterwards  settled  in  South  Reading;  Jonathan,  b.  1768;  m. 
1796,  Martha  Williams,  of  Chelsea;  Lucy,  b.  1770;  m.  1788,  Capt. 
Aaron  Damon,  and  settled  in  Vermont;  Lois,  b.  1772;  m.  1792, 
John  Smith. 

The  house  and  farm,  now  occupied  by  the  Rev.  Dana  Clayes,  with 
perhaps  some  variation  in  lands,  was  occupied  in  1765  by  Joseph 
Underwood,  who  m.  1739,  Ruth  Bancroft.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

THOMAS  SWAIN  lived  in  the  house  now  owned  by  David  Batchelder, 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING, 


385 


and  known  as  David  Batchelder's  old  house.  He  was  son  of  Dr. 
Thomas  and  Abigail  Swain,  and  was  born  1780;  m.  1803,  Sally,  dau. 
of  David  and  Mary  Parker.  Chil. :  Otis,  b.  1804;  m.  1826,  Mary 
Johnson,  of  Andover;  Sally,  b.  1806  ;  m.  1826,  Jeremiah  Green  ;  is  not 
living;  David  Parker,  b.  1807;  Albert,  b.  1809;  Thomas,  b.  1813,  and 
lives  in  Lynnfield ;  Mary  (b.  about  1811);  m.  1829,  Thomas  Green; 
is  not  living;  Caleb  Strong,  b.  1815  ;  m.  1839,  Mary  W.  Fulton,  of 
Boston  ;  Harriet,  b.  1818,  and  m.  1846,  Joseph  Hall,  of  Medford  ; 
Emily,  b.  1820;  m.  1840,  Tho.  Emerson,  Jr.,  of  Wakefield;  Caroline, 
b.  1823  ;  m.  1849,  C.  Emory  Foster,  formerly  of  Wakefield. 

Mr.  Swain  was  a  man  of  intelligence,  had  a  good  common-school 
education,  was  of  a  very  amiable  disposition,  modest  and  unassuming 
in  his  manners,  industrious,  kind-hearted,  faithful,  and  altogether  a  most 
worthy  citizen.  He  d.  1832,  aged  52. 

The  predecessors  of  Mr.  Swain  on  this  place  were :  His  father,  Dr. 
Thomas,  who  d.  1780;  his  uncle,  Dr.  Oliver,  who  d.  1773  ;  and  his 
grandfather,  Dr.  Thomas,  who  d.  1759. 

A  few  rods  northerly  of  Mr.  Swain's  residence,  on  the  westerly  side 
of  the  street,  there  stood,  about  this  time,  a  dwelling,  since  removed, 
occupied  by  a  family  by  the  name  of  Lewis.  Timothy  Lewis,  who  m. 
1767,  Martha,  dau.  of  Michael  Sweetser,  is  said  to  have  lived  here. 
He  had  chil.  :  Martha,  b.  1769  ;  Lydia,  William,  Charles,  Timothy,  and 
perhaps  others.  The  house  was  subsequently  purchased  by  Issachar 
Stowell,  who  removed  it  to  the  place  it  now  occupies,  on  Salem  Street, 
opposite  the  residence  lately  occupied  by  said  Stowell. 

CALEB  GREEN  lived  on  the  place  now  owned  and  occupied  by  his 
son,  Joshua  Green. 

He  was  the  son  of  Ca"pt.  William  and  Susanna  Green  ;  was  born 
about  1771 ;  his  mother  was  a  Townsend,  f rom  Lynnfield  ;  he  m.  1793, 
Polly  Munroe,  of  Lynnfield,  and  d.  1859,  aged  88.  Chil. :  Eliza,  b, 
1800,  and  d.  unm. ;  Caleb,  b.  1803,  and  m.,  ist,  Clarissa  Newhall  \  m.^ 

2d,  1847,  Abigail  Willey ;  Joshua,  b.  1805  ;  m.  1864, -Hurd;  Mary, 

b.  1808 ;  m.  1852,  Daniel  Nichols  (2d  wife). 

Mr.  Green  was  a  man  of  intelligence,  integrity,  and  great  private 
worth  ;  was  fond  of  reading,  and  was  well  posted  in  ancient  and  mod- 
ern history ;  he  was  withal  a  man  of  unusual  diffidence  and  modesty, 
and  eminent  for  his  amiable  and  peaceful  disposition.. 

This  house  and  farm  was  formerly  occupied,  by  a.  portion  of  the 
Underwood  family. 

JONATHAN  PRATT  lived  where  Jonathan  Nichols,  Sen.,  has  late 
in  the  house  now  or  lately  occupied  by  Mrs.  Welch. 
49 


GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

Mr.  Pratt  was  son  of  \Amos  Pratt,  of  Saugus,  and  brother  of  the  late 
David  Pratt,  of  Reading.  He  m.  Mercy,  dau.  of  Joseph  and  Sarah 
Burditt.  Chil. :  David,  who  m.  1821,  Hannah  Patch,  of  Greenfield, 
N.  H. ;  Sally,  a  highly  intelligent  young  lady,  who  d.  young ;  Jonathan, 
who  lives  in  Reading,  unmarried. 

Mr.  Pratt  was  a  sensible,  modest,  precise  man,  of  strict  integrity ;  he 
removed  to  the  place  in  Reading  where  his  son  David  now  lives. 
(  btolbsM  lo  JJr.H   rlqoeol  (df.8i    -fn   kn«  ,8181    .d   .JyincH    ;  noteo& 

LOWELL  STREET:  «o$.8: 

ELIJAH  MERRILL  lived  in  a  small  house  opposite  to  that  now  occu- 
pied by  Charles  Carter ;  was  a  laboring  man ;  had  a  large  family  of 
children ;  was  poor,  and  soon  removed  from  town. 

The  place  was  subsequently  owned  by  Stephen  Floyd,  and  has  since 
been  taken  down.  It  was  occupied  in  1 795  by  Ephraim  Willey,  who 
was  the  first  occupant  known. 

REUBEN  NEWHALL  owned  and  occupied  the  place  now  owned  by 
Charles  Carter ;  he  was  the  son  of  Nehemiah  Newhall,  of  Lynnfield, 
where  he  was  born  in  1769  ;  his  mother  was  the  dau.  of  Dea.  Benj.  and 
the  sister  of  Gen.  Benj.  Brown,  of  Reading ;  he  m.  1 794  or  '5,  Mary 
Thompson,  of  Woburn,  and  had  chil. :  Reuben,  b.  1795,  and  m.  1823, 
Emily  Rugg,  of  Lancaster;  Mary,  b.  1797,  and  d.  a  young  woman; 
Thompson,  b.  1798;  m.  1822,  Hannah  Crocker,  and  d.  1866;  Sally, 
b.  1800;  m.  1824,  Jona.  Brown,  of  Westbrook;  she  is  now  a  widow; 
Clarissa,  b.  1803;  m.  1826  or  '7,  Caleb  Green,  and  is  now  dead; 
Elizabeth,  b.  1809  ;  m.  1829,  Stephen  Floyd;  Susan,  b.  1814;  m.  1844, 
Gilman  A.  Coggin,  and  now  dead. 

Mr.  Newhall  was  a  shoemaker  and  farmer ;  industrious  and  honest, 
with  pretty  strong  prejudices  and  quick  feelings ;  his  son  Reuben  suc- 
ceeded him  on  the  place,  and  sold  to  the  present  owner.  In  1795  it 
was  occupied  by  Elias  Emerson,  who  afterwards  removed  to  Lancaster. 
Mr.  N.  d.  1846. 

SAMUEL  SWEETSER  and  LYDIA  SWEETSER,  father  and  daughter,  lived 
in  the  house  now  owned  and  occupied  by  James  J.  Mansfield. 

Samuel  Sweetser  was  the  son  of  Michael  and  Mary  Sweetser  ;  b.  about 
1732  ;  settled  in  Saugus  ;  had  many  children ;  removed  in  his  latter  life 
to  South  Reading,  where  he  died  in  1818,  aged  86. 

Among  his  children  were  John,  Daniel,  Moses,  Ezra,  Aaron,  Elias 
(who  was  insane),  Lydia,  etc. 

Lydia  Sweetser,  who  never  married,  lived  with  her  father,  and  after 
his  death  continued  to  occupy  the  house  aforesaid. 


OF  THE  TOWN  OF  READING.  387 

Daniel  Sweetser  occupied  this  house  before  his  father  and  sister, 
and  was  here  in  1795. 

AARON  BURDITT  lived  in  the  house  recently  occupied  by  his  widow, 
and  still  owned  by  his  heirs.  He  was  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Sweet- 
ser) Burditt,  and  born  in  Maiden,  probably.  He  m.,  ist,  1797,  Han- 
nah, dau.  of  Edmund  Eaton  ;  m.,  zd,  1820,  Sally  B.  Upton  ;  he  d.  i&^rJ 
Chil. :  Hannah,  b.  1799 ;  betrothed  to  Harfield  Hart,  and  d.  unm.  in1' 
1822  ;  Aaron,  b.  1802  ;  m.  1825,  Mary,  dau.  of  James  Emerson;  Mary 
Eaton,  b.  1804;  m.  1825,  James  Butler;  William,  b.  1821 ;  m.  Emily 
Poole  ;  Henry,  b.  1823,  and  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  F.  B.  Eaton ;  James  H., 
b.  1825  ;  Benj.,  b.  1827  ;  Frances,  Aaron,  and  two  or  three  others. 

Mr.  Burditt  was  intelligent,  respectable,  and  possessed  great  activity 
and  energy  in  business ;  was  a  dealer  in  horses  to  some  extent,  and  a 
good  judge  of  their  character.  He  erected  the  house  in  which  he  lived 
and  died. 

THOMAS  PARKER  lived  in  the  house  lately  owned  by  Suel  Winn,  and 
now  owned  by  Mrs.  Rogers,  and  improved  a  considerable  farm,  for- 
merly connected  therewith.  He  was  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  Parker 
(see  Early  Settlers);  b.  1751  ;  m.  1773,  Sarah,  dau.  of  Thomas  and 
Mary  Richardson ;  they  had  no  children,  and  both  died  1822. 

He  was  a  deacon,  and  a  very  intelligent,  modest,  and  worthy  citizen. 

Mrs.  Parker  was  a  Christian  woman,  with  some  literary  taste ;  she 
kept  a  journal,  and  under  date  of  June,  1775,  she  writes:  "The  Regu- 
lars came  over  Charles  River,  and  attacked  the  American  army,  who 
were  fortifying  a  hill  called  Bunker's  Hill,  where  a  bloody  battle  ensued  ; 
and  the  Regulars  got  the  hill,  with  the  loss  of  1,450  men ;  they  also 
burnt  the  town  of  Charlestown.  Our  army  retreated,  with  the  loss  of 
150  men  killed  and  wounded,  and  30  taken  prisoners."  In  1776,  she 
records  in  her  journal  the  following  poem,  probably  her  own  compo- 


"ON  GOD'S  LAW. 

dlt-w  9viJonb?jii  »«!  ot  bsnivj;?  3-  :u£3d  bm:  xJibrqtn 

"  The  sacred  law  of  God 

Is  like  to  Moses' rod; 
If  we  but  teep  it  in  our  hand, 
It  .will  do  wonders  in  the  land ; 
If  we  slight  and  throw  it  to  the  ground, 
'T  will  turn  a  serpent  and  inflict  a  wound; 
Around  that,  flesh  and  blood  cannot  endure, 
Nor  save,  until  the  brazen  serpent  cure  ; 
I  wish  not,  Lord,  thou  shouldst  withhold  it, 
Nor  would  I  have  it  and  not  hold  it ; 
3Jl£Up-bfi.  O  teach  me  then,  my  God, 
To  handle  Moses'  rod." 


388  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

This  place  was  the  original  homestead  of  the  Parker  family,  and 
remained  in  the  Parker  name  until  the  decease  of  Dea.  Thomas,  in 
1822.  It  was  formerly,  for  many  years,  noted  as  a  public  house  and 
grocery'. 

JAMES  BURDITT  bought  and  occupied,  about  this  time,  a  small  house 
(the  present  occupant  is  unknown).  Benj.  Badger,  Jr.,  built  the  house, 
and  after  occupying  it  a  short  time,  sold  it  to  Mr.  Burditt. 

He  (Burditt)  was  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Sweetser)  Burditt ; 
b.  about  1775  ;  m.  1798,  Fanny,  dau.  of  Dea.  Jacob  and  Margaret 
Emerson.  Children  :  James,  b.  1801  ;  m.  1830,  Betsey  Matthews,  and 
lives  in  Stoneham  ;  Warren,  b.  1803  ;  unm. ;  mind  injured  by  sickness ; 
Fanny,  b.  1805  ;  m.  1825,  Moses  Sweetser,  Jr.,  and  is  d.  Mr.  James 
Burditt  d.  1822,  aged  47. 

EDWARD  BURDITT,  brother  of  James,  aforesaid,  was  b.  about  1766; 

m.,  ist, Pratt,  of  Maiden  ;  m.,  2d,  1814,  Lois  Gill,  of  Maiden, 

and  d.  1835,  aged  69.  Chil. :  Betsey,  m.  1815,  Dea.  Martin  Stowell ; 
Joseph,  m.  1818,  Dolly  Slocomb;  both  d. ;  Edward,  m.  1816,  Elizabeth 
Nichols;  is  now  d. ;  Nathan,  m.  1828,  Sophronia  Woodward;  is  now 
d. ;  Sally  and  Lucinda  d.  unm. ;  and  perhaps  other  children. 

Mr.  Burditt  was  a  quiet,  industrious  citizen,  an  unbeliever  in  the 
theory  of  the  earth's  diurnal  motion,  because  in  that  case,  he  reasoned, 
*'  his  well  would  be  nightly  emptied  of  its  contents."  He  loved 
pigeon-shooting,  and  took  delight  in  relating  marvellous  stories  of 
events  that  had  come  under  his  own  observation  ;  for  instance  :  "  Sit- 
ting for  pigeons,  on  a  certain  occasion,"  said  he,  "  when  those  birds 
were  flying  in  great  abundance,  and  having  decoyed  to  my  pole  a 
mighty  flock,  I  was  so  excited,  that  I  fired  a  little  too  low,  and  did  not 
drop  a  single  pigeon;  but,"  said  he,  "I  picked  up  a  hat-full  of  pigeons' 
feet "  ''"'r; 

The  Burditt  family,  the  whole  race  of  them,  had  a  special  gift  and 
skill  in  the  manufacture  of  shoes,  which  enabled  them  to  turn  them  off 
with  great  rapidity  and  beauty.  The  art  seemed  to  be  instinctive  with 
them,  for  the  children,  with  scarcely  any  instruction,  were  at  once, 
almost,  good  and  quick  v/orkmen  at  the  craft. 

JAMES  GRAIN  lived  in  a  house,  built  by  himself,  that  stood  near  the 
last  named,  and  which  was  burned  a  few  years  since.  He  m.  1804, 
Lydia  Burditt,  and  d.  1855,  aged  71.  Chil. :  James,  m.  Rebecca  Hutch- 
inson  ;  William,  m.  Sarah  A.  Hutchinson  ;  Lydia,  m.  Samuel  P.  Avery ; 
Elizabeth,  m.  Virnum  Sweetser ;  a  daughter,  m.  Geo.  P.  Eaton  ;  Nancy 
P.,  m.  Daniel  Stevens. 

This  place  was  formerly  quite  noted  as  being  the  head-quarters,  on 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


389 


election  and  Thanksgiving  days,  for  chicken  and  turkey  shooting- 
matches. 

WID.  SARAH  BURDITT  and  JOHN  BURDITT,  mother  and  son,  lived  in 
an  ancient  mansion  that  stood  near  where  now  stands  the  house  lately 
owned  by  E.  W.  Wood. 

Wid.  Sarah  was  the  wid.  of  Joseph  Burditt,  formerly  of  Maiden,  to 
whom  she  was  married  in  1766;  she  was  dau.  of  Michael  and  Mary 
(Smith)  Sweetser,  and  was  born  1745. 

Mr.  Burditt  removed  to  Reading  about  1790,  and  d.  1804,  aged  65  ; 
his  wid.  d.  1831,  aged  86.  His  children  are  noticed  under  distinct 
heads. 

This  old  mansion,  now  removed,  and  the  farm  formerly  connected 
therewith,  constituted  the  early  homestead  of  a  family  of  Cutlers  who 
removed  away  many  years  ago.  Lilley  Eaton,  Sen.,  was  living  on  the 
place  in  the  time  of  the  Revolution. 

John  Burditt  m.,  ist,  1809,  Lydia  Hawkes  ;  was  twice  married,  and 
has  recently  deceased.  Children  :  Lydia,  m.  T.  J.  Sweetser  (2d  wife)  ; 
Sarah,  m.  and  settled  in  Saugus ;  John  has  been  married  several 
times ;  Benja.,  d.  young ;  Francis,  settled  in  Lynn ;  Polly,  and  other 
children. 

CHURCH  STREET. 

REUBEN  EMERSON  lived  in  the  parsonage  house,  a  dwelling  now 
owned  by  John  M.  Gate,  and  removed  to  Salem  Street ;  is  used  at 
present  as  a  tenement  house.  The  house  was  erected  in  1804  or  1805, 
and  was  the  third  parsonage  house  built  by  said  parish.  It  had  origi- 
nally a  flat  or  hipped  roof,  and  was  without  an  L.  It  was  remodelled  a 
few  years  since. 

Mr.  Emerson  was  at  this  time  the  pastor  of  the  First  Parish,  and  the 
eighth  minister  of  said  parish ;  he  was  born  in  Ashby  in  1771;  was  the 
son  of  John  and  Katharine  (Eaton)  Emerson,  and  grandson  of  Dea. 
Brown  Emerson,  of  Reading.  In  early  life  he  was  a  shoemaker,  and 
worked  at  that  honorable  handicraft  in  this  town,  and  mainly  by  his 
own  efforts  and  earnings  secured  a  liberal  education,  and  graduated 
at  Dartmouth  College  in  1798  ;  m.  1800,  Persis  Hardy,  of  New  Hamp- 
shire ;  was  ordained  in  Westminster,  V.t.,  in  1800  ;  was  ordained  as 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Reading  (now  Wakefield)  in 
1804,  and  d.  1860.  He  occupied  the  mansion  until  his  death.  Chil- 
dren :  Brown  Handell  Buckley,  born  about  1801  ;  studied  medicine  with 
Dr.  Spaulding,  of  South  Reading ;  settled  first  in  Boston,  where  he 
married  ;  removed  to  the  interior  of  New  York,  where  he  died  in 


390 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


middle  life.  The  lustre  of  the  eminent  names  which  he  wore  was  cer- 
tainly not  increased  by  any  excellencies  of  this  namesake,  for  he  was 
not  illustrious  for  natural  or  acquired  gifts.  He  had  a  good  musical 
ear,  as  was  true  of  the  whole  family,  and  could  play  well  on  instru- 
ments. He  had  an  impediment  in  his  speech,  stammering  very  badly. 
He  was  somewhat  intemperate  in  his  habits.  He  left  no  children. 

Charles  Milton,  born  1802,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in  1826 
with  honor;  studied  law;  settled  first  at  Hartford,  Conn. ;  m.,  ist,  a 
Miss  Chapman,  of  Greenfield ;  was  several  years  clerk  in  the  Connec- 
ticut Senate ;  became  embarrassed  by  losses  in  land  speculations, 
which  induced  him  to  remove  to  New  Orleans,  leaving  his  family 
behind.  At  New  Orleans  he  secured  the  reputation  of  being  an  able 
and  honorable  counsellor. 

Charles  M.  was  our  own  cotemporary  playmate,  schoolmate,  and 
intimate  youthful  associate,  and  it  was  with  much  sorrow  that  we 
learned  that  in  the  late  War  of  the  Rebellion  he  espoused  the  cause 
of  secession,  refused  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  his  country, 
and  was  obliged  in  consequence  to  leave  New  Orleans  for  other 
parts  of  rebeldom.  Upon  the  fall  of  the  confederacy,  or  before,  he 
returned  to  New  Orleans,  where  he  now  resides.  He  m.  a  second 
wife  at  New  Orleans,  and  has  several  young  children.  A  son  by  his 
first  wife  was  educated  at  Cambridge,  and  died  recently. 

John  Calvin  (third  son  of  Reuben),  b.  about  1803  ;  was  a  tall,  portly, 
good-looking  youth,  of  overflowing  good  nature,  easy,  moderate,  social, 
and  fond  of  sport  and  fun.  He  possessed  a  nice  ear  and  a  warm  love 
for  sweet  sounds,  became  a  teacher  of  music,  settled  in  Savannah,  Ga., 
where  he  died  a  young  man,  and  unm. 

Catharine  Anna  Fiske,  b.  1805,  the  only  daughter,  is  still  living,  and 
resides  at  Somerville  or  Salem,  unm.  Propriety  will  not  permit  that  we 
should  say  more  of  her  than  that  she  is  an  intelligent,  amiable,  cheer- 
ful, and  worthy  lady,  who  will  be  long  remembered  by  the  people  of 
South  Reading  as  the  sweet  singer  and  accomplished  leader  in  the 
choir  of  the  old  church,  long  made  vocal  with  her  melodies. 

Reuben  Washington  (the  youngest  son),  b.  1806,  was  an  eccentric 
genius ;  naturally  indolent,  and  without  a  spark  of  ambition,  he  had 
rather  starve  than  work.  He  was  a  great  trial  to  his  family.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  a  printer ;  had  a  good  common-school  education, 
and  was  peculiar  in  his  knowledge  of  geography,  particularly  that  of- 
his  own  neighborhood,  being  able  to  give  the  boundary  towns  of  every 
town  in  New  England.  Like  Old  Mortality,  he  was  fond  of  decipher- 
ing the  inscriptions  upon  the  ancient  gravestones  in  the  old  cemeteries. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


391 


He  was  a  musician,  in  common  with  the  rest  of  the  family,  but  was 
too  slothful  to  make  the  gift  available  for  any  benefit  to  himself  or 
anybody  else.  He  was  once  convicted  and  imprisoned  for  stealing, 
but  he  stole  nothing  but  food,  preferring  to  steal  victuals  rather  than 
work  for  them.  He  went  to  Ohio,  and  there  died. 

Rev.  Mr.  Emerson  was  a  sound  scholar,  a  good  citizen,  a  social  and 
Agreeable  companion,  and  an  honest  man.  As  a  theologian,  he  was  a 
rigid  Calvinist ;  as  a  preacher,  he  was  fluent,  but  not  eloquent ;  seldom 
poetical  or  pathetic,  sometimes  prosy,  frequently  long-winded  and 
tedious,  except  when  his  discourses  were  historical,  and  then  interest- 
ing and  instructive.  He  was  a  man  of  great  firmness  and  pertinacity, 
loved  influence,  and  for  many  years  possessed  it  in  his  own  parish  to 
an  unbounded  degree ;  was  a  friend  of  education  and  good  morals. 
In  1812  he  was  classed  as  a  federalist  and  an  opposer  of  the  war  and  of 
the  National  Administration,  but  in  his  latter  years  he  was  an  earnest 
republican,  opposed  to  the  whole  system  of  slavery,  and  was  a  true 
patriot  He  died  in  1860,  aged  88  years. 

DAVID  GARDNER.  Passing  from  the  old  parish  church  westerly,  we 
then  found  standing  on  the  common  land,  near  where  is  now  the  town 
pound,  a  wheelwright's  shop  owned  by  David  Gardner,  who  pursued 
his  vocation  there  a  few  years,  and  then  sold  out  and  went,  it  is  pre- 
sumed, to  Hirtgham,  from  whence  he  came.  A  daughter  of  his  is  now 
the  wife  of  Calvin  Nichols,  of  this  town.  His  wife  was  a  Crocker, 
sister  to  Wid.  Benj.  H.  Eaton,  and  to  the  late  Wid.  Benj.  Swain.  This 
shop  was  bought  by  Thomas  Skinner,  removed  to  the  foot  of  Fitch's 
Hill,  converted  into  a  dwelling,  and  is  now  owned  by  James  Connell. 

WILLIAM  DJEADMAN  purchased,  about  this  time,  a  part  of  the  house, 
a  small  cottage,  that  stood  where  now  stands  the  house  occupied  by  his 
widow  and  his  son  William,  the  other  part  of  the  cottage  being  owned 
for  several  years  by  Wid.  Molly  Parker.  He  subsequently  bought  the 
other  part,  and  erected  the  present  dwelling.  He  was  son  of  Wil- 
liam Deadman,  of  Stoneham,  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution  ;  his  mother 
was  Mary,  dau.  of  Capt.  Thomas  Green  ;  she  lived  to  a  great  age ;  was 
a  pleasant  and  worthy  woman  ;  d.,  aged  98. 

William  (Jr.),  m.  1813,  Sally,  dau.  of  James  Boutwell ;  was  the  first 
captain  of  the  Washington  Rifle  Company,  who  belonged  to  South 
Reading ;  was  a  man  of  high  respectability,  of  great  mechanical  inge- 
nuity, and  of  excellent  taste  and  skill  in  contriving  and  arranging  the 
useful  and  ornamental  surroundings  of  house,  garden,  and  field.  He 
was  town  sexton  for  many  years,  and  d.  1865,  aged  77. 

His  predecessors  on  this  place  were  a  family  of  Tottinghams,  from 


392 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Woburn  ;  Elisha,  the  elder,  who  m.  1764,  Mary  Pike,  of  Woburn  ;  was 
a  blacksmith,  and  had  a  son  Aaron  ;  the  father  and  son  were  both 
intemperate.  The  widow  of  Elisha,  Mary,  died  1818,  aged  82. 

NATHANIEL  BROWN  lived  on  the  place  recently  occupied  by  Wid. 
Lucy  (Poole)  Jennings  ;  he  was  son  of  Gen.  Benjamin  Brown ;  b. 
1756  ;  m.  1800,  Rhoda,  dau.  of  Abiel  and  Thankful  Brown,  and  d. 
1832,  aged  76.  Had  several  daughters,  of  whom  Rhoda,  late  wife  o/ 
Charles  Lee,  of  South  Reading,  was  one.  Mr.  Brown  was  a  laborer 
and  gardener;  poor,  but  honest  and  industrious.  His  wife  was  de- 
ranged for  many  years.  The  house  was^then  a  one-story  cottage,  built 
by  adding  his  father's  old  currier  shop  (that  was  removed  hither  from 
the  side  of  the  pond),  to  old  Tottingham's  blacksmith  shop,  which 
stood  on  this  spot,  the  same  being  common  land  ;  and  a  lot  of  land, 
forty  feet  square,  was  voted  to  Mr.  Brown  during  life.  He  was  per- 
mitted, however,  to  improve  additional  land  as  a  garden.  This  land 
(the  forty  feet  square)  was  sold  by  the  town  after  Mr.  Brown's  death, 
and  was  owned  a  while  by  Col.  Elbridge  Gerry,  of  Stoneham,  who  re- 
built and  enlarged  the  house. 

JAMES  HARTSHORN  (Jr.)  lived  on  the  same  spot,  where  he  died  in  1870  ; 
was  one  of  the  few  who  owned  and  occupied  the  same  domicil  for  more 
than  half  a  century.  He  was  the  son  of  Dea.  James  and  Sarah  (Hop- 
kinson)  Hartshorn  ;  b.  1776 ;  m.,  ist,  1803,  Abigail  Coggin,  of  Woburn  ; 
m.,  2d,  1819,  Mary,  dau.  of  Thomas  Poole,  of  Woburn.  Chil.  :  James, 
b.  1807 ;  m.  Maria  Williams  ;  is  a  trader  in  Boston,  and  lives  in 
Belmont;  Abigail,  b.  1809;  m.  Samuel  Gardner,  and  lives  in  Wake- 
field  ;  Jacob  Coggin,  b.  1810 ;  m.  Mary  Blanchard  ;  was  father  of  the 
present  Jacob  C.  Hartshorn,  and  is  now  dead ;  John  Francis,  b.  1812  ; 
in.  Henrietta  Burt,  and  lives  in  Wakefield ;  George  A.,  b.  1813,  who 
m.  and  settled  in  Woburn  ;  William  Hubbard,  b.  1826  ;  Charles  Fred- 
eric, b.  1835  ;  Mary  Parker,  b.  1830,  now  the  wife  of  John  Rayner,  and 
other  children,  who  d.  young. 

He  was  colonel  in  the  cavalry  corps,  and  town  treasurer  for  many 
years. 

This  place  was  occupied  in  1765  by  Jonathan  Cowdrey,  who  was  of 
a  different  family  from  that  on  Cowdrey's  hill ;  lived  in  town  a  few  years, 
and  removed  ;  he  was  a  clock  and  buckle  maker ;  made  the  old 
weather-cock  that  for  nearly  a  century  was  perched  upon  the  spire  of 
,  the  old  church.  The  place  was  afterwards  sold  to  Dr.  John  Hart,  who 
enlarged  the  house,  and  built  a  hall  in  it  particularly  for  the  use  of  the 
Mount  Moriah  Lodge  of  Freemasons ;  it  was  occupied,  subsequently, 
for  a  public  house  by  Mr.  Harvey,  Oliver  Pope,  and  perhaps  others. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


393 


Caleb  Eaton  and  Dea.  David  Smith  were  the  immediate  predecessors 
of  the  late  owner. 


COL.  JAMES  HARTSHORN. 

FRANCIS  HAY  lived  where  Ebenezer  Hartshorn  now  lives ;  was  son 
of  Dr.  John  Hay;  b.  1783  ;  m.,  ist,  Polly  Mansfield,  and  2d,  Sarah 
Myrick,  and  removed  to  Charlestown.  Chil. :  Mary,  who  m.  Mr. 
Munroe;  Sybil,  who  m.  Mr.  Burbank,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  Antoinette, 
who  m.  Mr.  Griffin,  of  New  York  city,  and  now  lives  in  New  Jersey. 

Mr.  Hay  was  a  cabinet-maker,  a  very  ingenious  mechanic  and  cun- 
ning workman,  and  a  very  honest  man,  though  somewhat  peculiar. 
5° 


394 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


He  built,  perhaps  in  connection  with  his  brother  John,  this  house,  sold 
one  half  of  it  to  his  sister,  Wid.  Elizabeth  Nichols,  and  the  other  half  to 
Ebenezer  Hartshorn,  who  subsequently  purchased  the  whole.  Mr.  Hay 
removed  to  Charlestown,  as  previously  stated.  Mr.  Hartshorn  has 
lived  on  the  place  nearly,  if  not  quite,  fifty  years;  is  a  brother  of 
James  Hartshorn,  above  named ;  was  born  1788  ;  m.  1813,  Mary  Winn, 
sister  of  Maj.  Suel  Winn.  Chil. :  Mary  W.,  b.  1816  ;  m.  1837,  John 
Eaton,  and  is  now  a  widow;  Sarah,  b.  1817;  m.  1840,  Micah  Heath, 
and  lives  in  Wakefield  ;  Eliza  Nichols,  b.  1820;  m.  Leonard  Clifford, 
and  is  now  a  widow;  Ebenezer  Francis,  b.  1822,  and  settled  in  Cali- 
fornia; Lucyette,  b.  1827;  has  lived  in  California,  and  now  in  Wake- 
field,  unm. ;  Jane,  lives  in  Wakefield,  unm. 

EBENEZER  WILEY  lived  in  the  house  recently  occupied  by  Samuel 
Winship;  was  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Bryant)  Wiley;  b.  1781  ;  m. 
1804,  Jerusha,  dau.  of  Capt.  Nathaniel  Cowdrey ;  was  a  prosperous  shoe 
manufacturer,  and  an  excellent  man.  He  died  of  fevtr  in  1817,  aged 
36.  Chil. :  Charlotte,  b.  1805  ;  m.  1824,  Robert  Stimpson,  and  lives 
in  Charlestown ;  Sylvester,  b.  1808 ;  m.  and  settled  in  Hartford,  Ct., 
and  d.  in  1869  ;  Francis,  b.  1810;  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Abraham  Sweet- 
ser;  went  to  Ohio  and  there  died;  Clarissa, b.  1811  ;  m.  1831, Lemuel 
Sweetser,  and  lives  in  Wakefield. 

This  house  was  built  from  a  "  tin  shop "  that  was  removed  hither 
from  the  Common,  and  that  once  stood  near  where  the  house  and 
store  recently  owned  by  P.  C.  Wheeler  now  stand. 

JOSEPH  ATWELL  lived  in  the  house  recently  occupied  by  the  late  Joel 
Winship ;  he  was  son  of  Joseph  and  Pearn  or  Pamela  (Cowell)  Atwell ; 
his  father  was  a  native  of  Lynn,  and  his  mother  was  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, being  the  dau.  of  Wid.  Cowell,  who  married  Elias  Bryant,  of 
Stoneham. 

Joseph  Qr.)  m.  1803,  Sarah,  dau.  of  Capt.  Nath'l  Cowdrey ;  was  select- 
man, town  collector,  and  a  respectable  citizen;  he  d.  1835,  aged  54. 
His  wid.  became  the  2d  wife  of  Capt.  Henry  Knight.  Chil. :  Joseph 
Warren,  m.  Abigail  Melburn,  and  is  now  d. ;  Benj.  F.,  went  South,  and 
there  died  ;  Sumner  died  unmarried. 

Mr.  Atwell  sold  this  house  many  years  ago  to  Doss  Freeman,  a  col- 
ored man,  and  removed  subsequently  to  Cowdrey's  Hill,  to  the  place 
recently  owned  by  Henry  List.  The  house  was  built  by  Samuel  Stacey, 
who  came  from  Townsend ;  m.  1800,  Hannah,  dau.  of  John  and  Lydia 
Vinton,  and  d.  1815. 

Freeman   was   succeeded   by  Capt.  Wm.    Emerson,   son   of    Wm. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


395 


Emerson,  of  Melrose,  and  grandson  of  Thomas  Emerson,  Sen.,  of 
South  Reading. 

HENRY  KNIGHT  lived  in  the  house  lately  owned  by  Thomas  Win- 
ship,  and  formerly  owned  by  Capt.  Nath'l  Cowdrey.  Mr.  Knight  was 
born  in  Harvard,  in  1792  ;  was  son  of  Elisha  Knight,  of  Stoneham  ;  m., 
ist,  1813,  Ruhamah,  dau.  of  Joseph  Eaton,  of  Woburn,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Jonathan  Eaton,  of  Woburn,  who  was  a  native  of  Reading ; 
m.,  2d,  Sarah,  wid.  of  Joseph  Atwell ;  m.,  3d,  Dorothy,  wid.  of  Charles 
Richardson. 

Was  captain,  selectman,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  is 
now  dead.  Chil. :  Lydia  F.,  b.  1814;  m.  1832,  Capt.  Thomas  Rich- 
ardson ;  is  now  a  wid. ;  Laurillia,  b.  1818 ;  m.  1838,  Hiram  Eaton,  of 
Wakefield  ;  Sophronia  O.,  b.  1821 ;  m.  Jona.  Eames,  of  Wilmington ; 
Henry  Clay,  b.  1829  ;  m.  Phebe  Hurd,  and  lives  in  Wakefield. 

WILLIAM  EMERSON  occupied  a  part  of  the  same  house  with  Capt. 
Knight. 

He  was  son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Cowdrey)  Emerson ;  b.  about 

1783;  m. Newhall;  had  many  children;  was  captain;  removed 

to  Bangor,  Me.,  owned  and  occupied  a  while  the  house  now  owned  by 
Samuel  Winship. 

ELM  STREET. 

AMOS  BOARDMAN  lived  on  the  place  lately  owned  and  occupied  by 
Hannah  (Bancroft)  Emerson,  wid.  of  Benj.  Emerson. 

He  was  the  son  of  Amos  Boardman,  formerly  of  Chelsea  (living  on 
lands  that  have  since  been  annexed  to  Saugus) ;  he  afterwards  removed 
to  Reading,  and  occupied  the  place  in  Woodville  recently  owned  by 
the  late  Lowell  Emerson,  dwelling  in  an  old  house,  how  demolished, 
that  stood  near  the  said  Lowell's  house,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
road. 

His  mother  was  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Benj.  and  Elizabeth  (Burnap) 
Smith,  and  a  descendant  of  John  and  Dea.  Francis  Smith,  early  set- 
tlers. He  was  a  descendant,  in  the  fourth  degree,  from  William  Board- 
man, of  Cambridge,  who  settled  there  in  1638,  and  died  there  in  1685, 
aged  71.  He  married  in  1779,  Mary  Lewis,  of  Billerica  ;  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolution,  and  afterwards  a  colonel  in  the  militia ;  and  a 
school  committee-man  several  years.  He  died  1823,  aged  68.  His 
widow  died  1843,  aged  88. 

Col.  Boardman  was  a  notable  man,  of  portly  and  commanding  per- 
sonal appearance ;  active,  energetic,  public-spirited,  and  patriotic ;  he 
exercised  much  influence  in  his  day  and  generation.  He  was  full  of 


396  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

martial  ardor,  and  never  felt  better  than  when  on  parade  at  the  head 
of  his  regiment.  An  old  swivel  or  cannon  which  the  colonel  pro- 
cured to  usher  in  training  and  muster  days  with  its  sounding  boom,  and 
which  was  also  used  on  Independence  days,  being  left  in  the  mean 
time  upon  the  common,  is  not  forgotten  by  those  who  were  the  boys  of 
those  days.  He  was  also  a  warm  and  zealous  friend  of  education  and 
of  the  common  schools,  over  which  he  long  had  official  superintend- 
ence. His  earnest  and  stirring  addresses  to  his  scholars,  when  he  made 
his  official  visits,  will  be  long  remembered  ;  he  was  profuse  in  his  com- 
mendations, and  inspiring  in  his  portrayal  of  what  the  pupils  might 
become  by  good  behavior  and  faithful  study.  "  In  fact,"  he  would  say 
to  them,  "  by  so  doing  you  may  be  sure  to  rise  in  the  world  ;  true,  you 
may  not  all  become  colonel,  as  I  am,  though  some  of  you  may,  and  gen- 
erals, governors,  and  presidents  too,  but  you  may  all  get  to  be  some- 
bodies, captains,  sergeants,  corporals,  at  least." 

He  gave  his  own  children  a  good  education,  for  the  days  in  which 
he  lived ;  and  those  children  have  consequently  risen  in  the  commu- 
nity, and  become  somebodies. 

He  changed  his  religious  sentiments  in  his  latter  life,  and  from  an 
Orthodox  Congregationalist  became  an  active  Universalist,  and  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  Universalist  society  in  South  Reading. 
Children:  Amos,  b.  1780;  followed  the  sea;  became  a  sea-captain; 
died  in  1811,  in  London,  unm. ;  Mary,  b.  1782  ;  m.  1804,  John  Lam- 
bert (see  Fam.  Ac't)  ;  Sarah  Smith,  b.  1784;  m.  1808,  Burrage  Yale, 
Esq.  (see  Fam.  Ac't);  Rebecca,  b.  1786;  m.  1818,  Dr.  Moses  Long, 
of  Concord,  N.  H.,  had  several  daughters,  and  d.  1823,  aged  37.  She 
was  for  several  seasons  the  teacher  of  the  Centre  School,  succeeding 
her  sister  Sarah  S.  in  this  office ;  was  a  thorough  and  faithful  instruc- 
tor, but  a  most  strict  and  rigid  disciplinarian;  Nancy,  b.  1788;  was 
a  teacher  of  the  west  district  school,  and  of  a  private  academy.  She 
was  tall,  and  somewhat  masculine  in  her  personal  appearance,  with 
majestic  step  and  genteel  bearing,  gifts  that  were  common  to  this 
branch  of  the  Boardman  family.  She  married  Samuel  Fletcher,  Esq.,  of 
Concord,  N.  H.,  and  died  there  in  1842,  aged  35,  without  issue  ;  Lydia, 
became  the  2d  wife  of  Rev.  Thomas  A.  Merrill,  D.  D.,  of  Middlebury, 
Vt. ;  is  now  a  widow  ;  has  had  no  children  ;  Asa  Lewis,  b.  about  1792  ; 
m.  1827,  Mary,  dau.  of  Silas  Smith;  succeeded  to  the  homestead,  and 
was  a  shoe  manufacturer,  justice  of  the  peace,  etc. ;  was  well  informed, 
social,  and  jocose.  He  d.  at  sea,  1830,  aged  38;  Benjamin,  became 
a  counsellor-at-law ;  was  married,  had  several  children,  and  is  now 
dead. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  397 

The  colonel  had  other  children,  who  died  young,  one  of  whom  was 
drowned  in  the  great  pond. 

The  immediate  predecessor  of  Col.  Boardman  upon  this  place  was 
Dea.  Francis  Smith,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Lynde)  Smith ;  was 
b.  1716 ;  m.,  ist,  1746,  Sarah  Boardman,  of  Chelsea,  and  m.,  2d,  1785, 
Wid.  Sarah  Bryant  The  deacon,  having  no  children,  and  being  a 
cousin  to  the  colonel's  mother,  and  his  wife  being  aunt  to  the  colonel, 
he  made  the  colonel  his  heir,  and  in  consideration  of  a  promised  main- 
tenance during  life,  gave  him  full  possession  of  his  property.  And,  as 
often  happens  in  such  cases,  he  lived,  it  is  said,  to  regret  the  arrangement. 
At  any  rate,  he  left  the  homestead,  and  went  to  live  at  the  house  of  his 
second  wife,  which  stood  on  the  westerly  part  of  Church  Street,  and 
was  last  known  as  the  Boutwell  house,  now  taken  down.  The  prede- 
cessor of  Dea.  Smith  on  the  Col.  Boardman  place,  and  probably  the 
first  occupant,  was  Thomas  Hay,  a  brother  of  Dr.  John  Hay,  who  re- 
moved to  Dublin,  N.  H. 

TIMOTHY  KINSMAN  kept  a  grocery  store  on  the  spot  where  now 
stands  the  dwelling-house  of  James  Eustis.  There  was  then,  on  this 
site,  a  large,  unpainted,  gambrel-roofed  mansion,  with  a  large  L.  The 
store  was  kept  in  the  L  part,  and  the  main  house  was  occupied  as  a 
tenement  house  by  various  tenants  for  many  years,  until  the  present 
proprietor,  some  forty  years  since,  took  possession,  renewed  the  build- 
ings, planted  gardens  and  orchards,  and  restored  the  place  to  more 
than  its  pristine  glory. 

This  was  an  early  seat  of  the  Goodwin  family,  who  were  among  the 
early  settlers  of  the  town,  and  for  many  years  some  of  the  most  influ- 
ential and  eminent  inhabitants.  (See  Early  Settlers.) 

JAMES  NICHOLS,  son  of  Samuel,  and  a  descendant  of  Richard  (se 
Early  Settlers),  was  b.  1735  ;  m.,  ist,  1764,  Mary,  the  only  dau.  of 
Capt  John  and  Mary  (Parker)  Goodwin;  Capt  John  was  the  last 
Goodwin  owner ;  and  Mr.  Nichols,  at  the  death  of  his  wife's  parents, 
succeeded  to  this  property  and  also  to  the  Kendall  Parker  place,  now 
occupied  by  M.  F.  Leslie,  Hero  W.  Nichols,  and  others. 

His  first  wife  d.  1767.  He  m.,  2d,  about  1768,  Wid.  Anna  (Hay) 
Wright,  of  Stoneham ;  she  d.  1769;  m.,  3d,  1770,  Wid.  Patience 
(Pritchard)  Hero,  and  she  d.  1793  ;  m.,  4th,  1794,  Wid.  Eunice  Walton, 
of  Cambridge,  who  was  mother  to  the  wife  of  his  son,  Hay  Nichols. 
He  d.  1810,  aged  75. 

He  was  a  baker  by  trade ;  had  lived  in  Maiden  and  Salem  ;  was 
called  lieutenant;  was  a  very  industrious  man.  Children  by  ist 


398  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

wife  :  James,  b.  1765  ;  a  man  of  tall  and  stalwart  frame,  but  of  weak 
and  wayward  intellect.     He  died  unm.  in  1837,  agec*  71- 

By  2d  wife  :  Hay,  b.  1769  ;  m.  1799,  Eunice  Walton,  of  Cambridge  ; 
kept  a  grocery  store  in  the  above-named  mansion  ;  was  selectman,  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  and  representative;  a  man  of  intelligence  and  ability. 
He  died  1806,  leaving  one  son,  Leonard  Hay,  now  living  in  Stoneham. 

By  3d  wife:  Samuel,  b.  1772;  m.  1797,  Elizabeth  Hay,  settled  in 
Boston  ;  was  a  bricklayer ;  was  father  of  the  late  Rev.  Samuel,  who  d. 
1844;  of  Eliza,  wid.  of  Lilley  Eaton,  and  of  Eunice,  wife  of  Adam 
Wiley.  He  d.  1810.  Hero,  who  settled  in  Salem,  and  whose  son, 
Hero  W.,  and  other  children,  live  on  the  Kendall  Parker  place.  Polly, 
who  m.  Joseph  Eustis,  of  Salem,  and  d.  in  early  life,  leaving  one  son, 
James  Eustis,  who  now  owns  the  Dea.  Goodwin  place,  aforesaid.  A 
dau.,  Betsey,  was  insane,  and  d.  young,  unm. 

JOHN  HAY  lived  on  the  place  formerly  owned  by  Geo.  W.  Hartshorn, 
and  recently  sold  by  Newhall  to  T.  J.  West,  the  present  occupant.  He 
was  son  of  Dr.  Win.  and  Abigail  (Boutwell)  Hay;  b.  1737;  was  a 
physician ;  m.  Sarah  Ring,  of  Salisbury,  a  granddau.  of  Rev.  Jona. 
Pierpont ;  settled  first  in  Woburn,  but  when  his  father  became  old  he 
returned  to  Reading  and  succeeded  to  his  father's  practice  and  eventu- 
ally to  the  homestead.  He  was  a  very  respectable  physician  ;  enjoyed 
a  good  practice ;  was  a  careful  and  gentle  practitioner,  and  used  in  his 
practice  more  botanic  medicines  than  most  other  physicians,  so  that  he 
was  sometimes  called  "  the  root  and  herb  doctor."  He  was  a  peace- 
able, retiring,  and  upright  citizen.  He  d.  1815,  aged  77  ;  and  his  wid. 
d.  1816,  aged  76.  Chil.  :  Sarah,  b.  1762:  m.  Dudley  Porter,  and  re- 
moved to  Nova  Scotia ;  Jonathan  Pierpont,  b.  1765  ;  m.  1794,  Hepzi- 
beth  Appleton  ;  Charlotte,  b.  1766  ;  m.,  ist,  1786,  Dr.  Isaac  S.Thomp- 
son, of  Woburn,  a  cousin  of  Benja.  Thompson,  of  Count  Rumford 
notoriety ;  settled  in  Maine  and  m.,  2d,  John  Flint,  of  Baldwin,  Me. ; 
Charles,  b.  1769,  became  a  physician,  and  settled  in  Maine,  and  died 
there  ;  Abigail,  b.  1771 ;  m.  1793,  John  Chandler,  and  is  dead  ;  Eliza- 
beth, b.  1773;  m.  1797,  Samuel  Nichols,  and  d.  1861,  aged  88;  Pa- 
mela, b.  1774;  m.  1798,  Timothy  Sweetser,  and  is  dead;  Anna,  b. 
1776;  m.  1799,  Jesse  Pope,  and  is  dead;  John,  b.  1777;  m.  1805, 
Sarah  Lucas,  and  is  dead;  George,  b.  1779;  m.  and  settled  in  Lexing- 
ton, Ky. ;  Mary,  b.  1781;  m.  1806,  Robert  Raddin,  and  is  dead; 
Francis,  b.  1783  ;  m  ,  ist,  Polly  Mansfield ;  she  d.  1816  ;  m.,  2d,  1817, 
Sarah  Myrick,  and  removed  to  Charlestown  and  died  there. 

The  house  that  long  stood  upon  this  spot,  and  which  was  built  by 
Dr.  Win.  Hay,  was  taken  down  a  few  years  since. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


399 


JAMES  HARTSHORN  (Sen.)  lived  where  Joseph  Hartshorn,  his  son, 
now  lives  ;  was  son  of  Benja.  and  Mary  (Swain)  Hartshorn  (see  Early 
Settlers);  b.  1750;  m.  1771,  Sarah,  dau.  of  Dea.  Ebenezer  and  Ruth 
(Bancroft)  Hopkinson  ;  was  a  deacon ;  kept  a  grocery  store  in  his 
early  life  ;  a  modest,  upright  man;  d.  1824,  aged  74.  Chil. :  James,  b. 
1773,  d.  soon;  Jonathan,  b.  1775,  an<^  d.  soon;  James,  b.  1776 
(see  Special  Account) ;  Jonathan,  b.  1779,  and  d.  1803  ;  Sally, 
b.  1781,  and  m.  1811,  Stephen  Hale,  and  d.  1813  ;  Lucy,  b.  1783,  m. 
Amos  Boutwell,  and  lived  in  Wakefield ;  John  Francis,  b.  1785,  and  d. 
1810;  Ebenezer,  b.  1788  (see  Special  Account)  ;  Betsey,  b.  1790;  m. 
Hon.  Thos.  Emerson  (see  Special  Account) ;  Joseph  ;  m.  1816,  Abigail 
R.,  dau.  of  James  Emerson,  and  succeeded  his  father  on  the  homestead, 
which  included  as  his  father's  share  a  part  only  of  the  ancient  place  ; 
the  other  part  descending  to  Jeremiah,  an  uncle  of  Joseph.  The  chil- 
dren of  Joseph  were  :  Joseph,  who  went  to  California ;  Abigail,  who  m. 
W.  H.  Atwell,  Esq. ;  Jona.  Francis,  who  m.  Louisa  Wiley ;  Nancy,  who 
m.  Luther  Reed,  Jr.  ;  and  one  or  more  who  d.  young. 

JEREMIAH  HARTSHORN  lived  in  the  northerly  part  of  the  old  Harts- 
horn mansion ;  was  brother  of  Dea.  James,  b.  1760 ;  m.  1786, 
Margaret,  dau.  of  Dr.  Oliver  Swain ;  d.  1838.  Was  a  soldier 
of  the  Revolution,  a  respectable  citizen,  somewhat  pompous  and 
grandiloquent  in  manners  and  language.  Children:  Oliver  Swain,  b. 
1787  ;  m.  a  dau.  of  Dr.  Martin  Herrick,  and  settled  in  Portland,  Me. ; 
Washington,  b.  1791  ;  m.,  ist,  Lucy  Haines ;  m.,  2d,  Vesta  L.,  dau.  of 
Dr.  Charles  Hay ;  settled  first  in  South  Reading ;  removed  to  Port- 
land;  was  deacon  ;  d.  1854,  aged  63  ;  Jeremiah,  b.  1802  ;  was  twice 
m. ;  is  now  dead  ;  Thomas  Swain,  b.  1806  ;  m.  Betsey  Gerry,  of  Stone- 
ham,  and  now  lives  in  Reading. 

These  sons  belonged,  through  their  mother,  to  the  race  of  "  bleeders," 
or  to  a  family  that,  for  many  generations,  were  subject  to  a  liability  to 
commence  bleeding  from  some  slight  wound,  and  to  continue  bleeding, 
in  spite  of  all  efforts  to  stop  the  effusion,  until  life  was  nearly  extinct, 
when,  generally,  the  subject  would  slowly  rally,  and  recover  his  usual 
health.  It  was  a  curious  peculiarity  of  this  malady,  that  it  only  visited 
daughters'  sons,  and  that  "  sons'  sons  "  and  none  of  the  daughters  were 
thus  afflicted.  The  first  three  sons,  above  named,  were  occasionally 
thus  visited,  but  the  youngest  son  has  not  been,  and  it  is  hoped  that 
the  malady  has  run  out. 

BENJ.  SWAIN  lived  where  Wid.  Jacob  Varnum  Holt  now  lives ;  was 
the  son  of  Dr.  Oliver  Swain  ;  b.  1767  ;  m.,  ist,  Ruth  Buck,  and  m.,  ad, 
Wid.  Experience '  (Crocker)  Holt ;  was  a  carpenter,  a  quiet,  honest 


400 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


man,  and  is  now  dead.  Chil. :  Benjamin,  who  m.,  ist,  Miss  Wheeler, 
of  Stoneham  ;  had  a  second  wife  and  removed  from  town  ;  Oliver,  who 
m.  and  lives  in  New  Bedford,  and  other  children,  who  d.  young. 

The  predecessor  of  Mr.  Swain  on  this  place  was  Thomas  Damon, 
son  of  Ebenezer  and  Dorcas  Damon;  b.  1725;  m.  1748,  Elizabeth 
Stimpson ;  his  widow,  it  is  said,  married  David  Gerry,  of  Stoneham, 
and  was  mother  of  the  late  Dea.  Gerry,  of  Stoneham.  Her  son,  Tho. 
Damon,  sold  out,  and  went  to  Lunenburg.  The  old  house  that  long 
stood  on  this  spot  was  burnt  a  few  years  since,  and  the  present  one  was 
erected  by  the  late  Jacob  V.  Holt. 

SUEL  WINN  lived  on  the  place  now  in  part  occupied  by  his  widow, 
Lydia  Winn.  He  then  lived  in  an  old  house  that  stood  a  few  rods 
easterly  of  Mrs.  Winn's  present  mansion,  and  which  was  taken  down  a 
few  years  since. 

Mr.  Winn  was  a  native  of  Burlington,  son  of  Jeremiah  Winn  ;  b. 
about  1784;  m.  1808,  Lydia  Whittemore,  of  Charlestown,  dau.  of  Philip 
Whittemore,  of  West  Cambridge ;  was  a  butcher  and  farmer  ;  a  major 
in  the  cavalry,  selectman,  etc.  He  was  a  man  of  great  activity,  industry, 
and  perseverance,  honest  and  just  in  his  transactions,  somewhat  rough 
and  blunt  in  his  manners  and  language,  but  tender-hearted  and  gen- 
erous. He  acquired  a  handsome  estate.  He  was  killed  in  1851,  at 
the  Church  Street  railroad  crossing,  by  a  passing  locomotive,  at  the 
age  of  67.  He  built  the  house  now  standing  on  the  place.  The  barns 
on  the  place,  one  of  which  was  very  large,  were  burned  not  long  ago. 
Children :  Lydia,  who  m.  Reuben  Green,  of  Maiden  ;  John,  who  m., 
ist,  a  dau.  of  Edmund  Parker,  Esq. ;  m.  again,  and  r  noved  to  Nan- 
tucket;  Henry,  who  d.  a  young  man,  unm. ;  Harriet,  who  d.  a  young 
woman,  unm.  ;  Eliza,  who  m.  James  Edward  Emerson,  and  lives  in 
Wakefield ;  Suel,  who  lives  in  Wakefield;  Geo.  Augustus,  who  is  m. 
and  lives  in  Boston  ;  William,  who  d.  young. 

WILLIAM  SIMPSON  lived  in  a  part  of  the  old  house  above  described  ; 
he  came  from  the  State  of  Maine;  m.  1815,  Wid  Betsey  Damon,  wid. 
of  Ebenezer  Damon,  whose  maiden  name  was  Betsey  Centre ;  he  was 
ignorant  and  unpolished,  but  kind-hearted.  They  sold  their  interest  in 
the  place  to  Maj.  Winn,  and  removed  to  Andover  ;  became  poor,  and 
returned  in  their  old  age  to  South  Reading,  and  d.  in  1853  in  the  alms- 
house,  he  at  the  age  of  73,  and  she  much  older. 

This  old  house  and  farm,  which  thus  became  the  sole  property  of 
Maj.  Winn,  was  formerly  owned  by  Ebenezer  Damon,  father  of  the 
Ebenezer  Damon  above  named,  b.  1718,  and  brother  of  Thomas  Damon, 
Sen.,  of  the  Benj.  Swain  place;  he,  or  possibly  his  son,  d.  and  left  a 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


4OI 


wid.,  Lydia,  who  m.  1782,  Capt.  Phineas  Parker,  of  Pepperell,  who 
removed  hither,  and  was  the  immediate  predecessor  of  Maj.  Winn,  and 
d.  1814,  aged  74.  Tradition  says  that  this  farm  was  first  settled  by  a 
family  of  Walkers,  who  removed  to  Lynn. 

REBECCA  BRYANT  lived  in  a  small,  ancient-looking  cottage  that 
stood  a  short  distance  northwesterly  of  where  Joseph  Hartshorn  now 
lives;  she  was  dau.  of  John  Boutwell ;  b.  1742  ;  wid.  of  Jeremiah  Bry- 
ant, to  whom  she  was  m.  1768  ;  was  mother  of  the  late  Jeremiah 
Bryant,  blacksmith,  and  other  children.  She  went  soon  after  this  to 
live  with  her  children,  and  the  old  cottage  was  taken  down.  This  old 
place  had  been  occupied  by  this  branch  of  the  Bryant  family  for  sev- 
eral generations;  Jeremiah  Bryant,  the  son  of  Kendall,  b.  1714,  was 
living  here  in  1765.  An  Adden  family  at  one  time  owned  a  part  of  it, 
from  whom  descended  the  present  John  Adden,  Esq.,  of  Reading. 

JAMES  BOUTWELL  lived  in  a  very  ancient-looking  mansion,  now  re- 
moved, that  stood  a  short  distance  westerly  of  the  last  named ;  he  was 
son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Boutwell;  b.  1745  ;  m.,  ist,  1770,  Tabitha, 
dau.  of  Jeremiah  Bryant ;  m.,  2d,  Lydia.  Children:  James,  b.  1783  ; 
Amos, b.  1785;  m.  1811,  Lucy  Hartshorn;  Tabitha,  b.  1790;  m.  James 
Mitchell ;  Lydia,  who  d.  unm.;  Sally,  m.  1813,  William  Deadman,  and 
lives  in  Wakeneld  ;  and  several  other  children. 

This  place  was  the  most  ancient  Bryant  homestead.  James  Bryant, 
b.  1719,  and  who  m.  Sarah  Swain,  was  living  here  in  1765  ;  and,  after 
his  death,  his  wid.  m.  in  1785,  Dea.  Francis  Smith,  the  relative  of  Col. 
Amos  Boardman.  Dea.  Smith  lived  on  the  place  until  his  death  in 
1799. 

DAVID  SMITH  lived  on  the  Lambert  place,  so  called,  now  owned  by 
the  Qu'annapowitt  Ice  Company.  He  was  son  of  Capt.  David  and  Mary 
Smith  ;  b.  1771  ;  was  a  Baptist  deacon,  selectman,  etc.  ;  m.,  ist,  1795, 
Catharine  Emerson,  sister  of  the  late  Rev.  Reuben  Emerson ;  she  d. 
1796,  aged  27^  ;  m.,  zd,  1801,  Phebe,  dau.  of  James  Howard,  of  Mel- 
rose  ;  she  d.  1848,  aged  69  ;  he  d.  April  6,  1855.  Children :  Catharine, 
b.  1795;  m.  Aaron  M.  Chambers,  and  removed  to  Lancaster;  David 
and  George,  twins,  b.  1802  ;  m.  and  removed  to  the  West ;  Phebe,  b. 
1809 ;  m.  1831,  Tho.  B.  Skinner,  and  lives  in  Wakefield  ;  Lydia  P.,  b. 
1812;  m.  1836,  A.  F.  Hutchinson,  Esq.,  of  Wakefield;  Porter,  b 
1814;  rn.,  ist.,  1837,  Sarah  D.  Clay;  m.,  2d,  1850,  Emeline  Brown; 
m..  3d,  1857,  Lucy  A.  Frink  ;  Eunice,  b.  1817 ,  m.  1837,  Asa  N.  Sweet- 
ser  (2d  wife) ;  Lot,  b.  1819  ;  m.  1851,  Catharine  Kain,  and  was  killed 
on  Danvers  Railroad ;  and  other  children,  who  d.  young. 

Daa.  David  Smith  was  a  man  of  high  respectability  ;  of  good  natural 
Si 


4O2 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


abilities,  a  devout  worshipper,  slow  and  sparing  of  speech,  and  of  great 
firmness  ;  he  was  a  valuable  citizen. 

WILLIAM  LAMBERT  occupied  a  part  of  the  Lambert  place ;  was 
brother  of  Capt.  John,  who  d.  1794,  and  son  of  Tho.  Lambert,  who 
m.  Elizabeth  Nichols,  probably  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  Nichols. 

William  was  a  bachelor,  of  some  singularities ;  was  many  years  a 
sailor;  an  excellent  penman ;  honest,  but  not  very  forcible.  During  his 
latter  years,  he  had  for  a  housekeeper  one  Hannah  Turner,  a  maiden 
lady,  who  had  been  brought  up  in  the  family  of  Col.  Ebenezer  Nichols, 
whose  relative  married  Thomas  Lambert,  the  father  of  William 
Hannah  d.  1817,  aged  76. 

The  old  house  and  farm,  occupied  at  this  time  by  David  Smith  and 
William  Lambert,  was  the  ancient  homestead  of  the  Nichols  family. 

Thomas  Lambert  married  into  this  family  (it  is  supposed  that  he  m. 
Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Jonathan,  and  granddaughter  of  James  and  Mary); 
he  succeeded  to  the  property.  This  Thomas  Lambert  is  said  to  have 
come  from  England ;  was  a  gentleman  of  wealth  and  leisure,  and  was 
fond  of  books  and  literature.  He  d.  1753,  aged  57.  He  was  called 
Esq.,  and  his  widow  Mrs.,  showing  that  they  were  of  the  gentility. 

John  Lambert,  son  of  Capt.  John  Lambert,  and  grandson  of  Thomas, 
lived  on  the  late  Davis  Foster  place,  occupying  a  part  of  it ;  m.  Mary, 
dau.  of  Col.  Amos  Boardman,  and  is  dead.  Chil. :  Mary,  m.  Rev.  Wm. 
Gage,  Amherst  Coll.,  1828,  who  settled  in  Concord,  Ohio,  where  she  still 
lives  a  widow ;  Amos  Boardman,  who  settled  in  Salem,  N.  Y.,  is  a 
clergyman ;  Rebecca,  a  successful  school-teacher,  m.,  and  d.  in  early 
life ;  Thomas  Scott,  became  a  physician,  a  lecturer  on  physiology  and 
anatomy,  and  the  donor  to  his  native  town  of  a  copy  of  a  large  and 
valuable  work  on  physiology,  of  which  he  was  the  author.  He  lives 
in  New  York  city. 

DAVIS  FOSTER  owned  and  occupied  a  part  of  the  same  house  that 
Mr.  Lambert  occupied.  He  was  son  of  Jonathan  and  Sarah  Foster  ; 
b.  1771,  and  d.  1855,  aged  84.  He  m.,  ist,  a  Miss  Holt,  of  Andover, 
who  had  one  dau.,  Emma,  who  m.  Benj.  Young,  of  Reading,  and  died 
without  issue.  He  m.,  2d,  Nancy  (Johnson),  dau.  of  Capt.  Wm.  John- 
son, who  d.  1805,  and  wid.  of  Stephen  Russell,  who  d.  1803.  Children 
by  ad  wife :  Russell,  who  m.  Sophia  Wiley;  Betsey,  who  m.  Joel  Rog- 
ers, of  Tewksbury ;  Stephen  (Esquire),  who  m.,  ist,  1835,  Louisa,  dau. 
of  Thaddeus  B.  Pratt,  Esq. ;  m.,  zd,  1857,  Harriet  N.  Fullington,  of 
Johnson,  Vt. ;  has  had  two  daughters  by  i  st  wife,  and  a  son  and  daughter 
by  ad  wife  ;  lives  in  Reading  ;  trades  in  Boston. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


403 


The  house  was  formerly  owned  and  occupied  by  Captain  William 
Johnson,  whose  wife  was  Esther,  dau.  of  James  and  Esther  Weston. 
Davis,  who  died  young. 

PROSPECT  STREET. 

JOHN  B.  ATWELL  lived  in  the  smaller  of  the  two  houses  still  owned 
by  him  and  his  sons  ;  was  son  of  Joseph  and  Pamela  (or  Pearn)  (Cow- 
ell)  Atwell ;  b.  about  1787  ;  m.,  ist,  1809,  Philomela,  dau.  of  Wm.  and 

Esther  (Cowdrey)  Stimpson;  m.,  2d,  1867, Kingston,  and  lives  in 

Wakefield.  Children:  Louisa,  b.  1810;  m.  1833,  Jacob  Eaton,  of 
Cambridgeport,  and  d.  1867  ;  John,  b.  1812  ;  m.  1836,  Susan  H.  Burn- 
ham  ;  William  Henry,  b.  1824 ;  m.  Abigail  Hartshorn. 

The  house  above  referred  to  was  probably  erected  by  Wm.  Stimpson, 
who  was  living  here  in  1795. 

AARON  COWDREY  lived  on  Cowdrey's  hill,  on  the  "  Cowdrey  farm," 
long  so  called,  in  the  mansion  lately  owned  and  occupied  by  Henry 
L.  Eaton,  and  now  owned  by  Mrs.  George  O.  Carpenter,  of  Boston  ; 
was  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Sarah  (Parker)  Cowdrey ;  b.  1777  ;  m.  1798, 
Betsey  Harris,  of  Lunenb'urg ;  he  died  1856,  aged  80  ;  he  was  an  intel- 
ligent and  respectable  farmer.  Children:  Jonas, b.  1799  ;  m.,  151,1832, 
Emily,  dau.  of  Capt.  James  Gould  ;  owns  and  occupies  a  portion  of  the 
ancient  farm  ;  m.,  2d,  1870,  Mrs.  Lawrence  ;  Harris,  b.  1802  ;  be- 
came a  physician  ;  settled  in  Acton  ;  is  father  of  Dr.  A.  H.  Cowdrey, 
of  Stoneham  ;  Eliza,  b.  1809,  became  the  2d  wife  of  Philander  Braley, 
of  Illinois  ;  Sarah  P.,  was  ist  wife  (m.  1838)  of  Philander  Braley,  of 
Illinois;  Almine,  b.  1814;  m.  1836,  Dana  Holden,  of  Maiden;  Henri- 
etta, m.  Charles  H.  Stearns,  of  Wakefield. 

This  old  farm  has  been  in  possession  of  the  Cowdrey  family  ever 
since  the  early  settlement  of  the  town,  and  continued  in  their  posses- 
sion until  the  year  1866,  and  a  portion  of  it  is  still  owned  by  Jonas 
Cowdrey,  Esq. 

JESSE  DIKE,  JESSE  POPE,  WILLIAM  BEARD,  were  each  tenants,  for 
longer  or  shorter  terms,  at  about  this  time,  of  the  place  lately  occupied 
by  Matthew  F.  Leslie. 

Mr.  Dike  was  from  Stoneham  ;   lived  in  South  Reading  but  a  short 
time,  and  returned  to  Stoneham,  where  he  has  been  representative 
he  is  now  dead.     He  was  father  of  Hon.  Geo.  W.,  of  Col.  Lyman,  and 
other  children  ;  was  a  man  of  intelligence,  and  fond  of  books. 

Mr.  Pope  was  a  jiative  of  Danvers ;    son  of  Ebenezer  and  Sarah 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

(Whittredge)  Pope  ;  m.,  ist,  1799,  Nancy,  dau.  of  Dr.  John  Hay  ;  m., 
2d,  1837,  Ede  Odell,  of  Merrimack,  N.  H.  Children  :  Nancy,  who  d. 
in  early  life  ;  Sarah  Ring,  b.  1808  ;  m.  1827,  Samuel  Kingman,  Esq. ; 
Lucy  has  been  twice  m.,  and  lives  in  Westboro' ;  Jesse  W.,  m.,  and  lives 
in  Boston. 

Mr.  Pope,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  owned  the  place  on  Cedar  Street 
recently  owned  by  Charles  Davis. 

Mr.  Beard  m.  Nancy,  dau.  of  Thomas  Poole  ;  had  several  children, 
among  whom  was  William,  a  teacher  of  the  Terpsichorean  art.  He  d. 
1831,  aged  57. 

This  old  farm  was  one  that  was  settled  very  early ;  the  house  now 
standing  thereon  is  among  the  oldest,  perhaps  the  very  oldest,  now 
remaining.  It  was  the  homestead  of  Sergt.  John  Parker  (see  Early 
Settlers),  and  of  his  son,  Kendall  Parker,  Esq.,  whose  dau.  m.  Capt. 
John  Goodwin  ;  her  dau.  m.  James  Nichols,  and  thus  the  place  passed 
into  the  Nichols  family,  the  larger  part  of  which  is  now  owned  and 
occupied  by  the  children  of  the  late  Hero  Nichols,  a  son  of  James 
Nichols. 

CORNELIUS  SWEETSER,  Jr.,  lived  on  the  place  recently  owned  by  Tho. 
Davis  (formerly  Jameson's)  ;  was  son  of  Cornelius  and  Sarah  (Smith) 
Sweetser  ;  b.  1778  ;  m.  Phebe,  dau.  of  Lilley  and  Sarah  Eaton.  Chil. : 
Stephen,  b.  1802  ;  m.,  ist,  Lydia,  dau.  of  Eliakim  Stowell ;  m.,  2d, 
1831,  Nancy  Witherspoon  ;  m.,  3d,  Charlotte  Kenney ;  Phebe,  b.  1805  ; 
m.  William  Mansfield ;  Cornelius,  b.  1808 ;  settled  in  Saco,  Me.  ; 
Sarah,  b.  1811 ;  m.  Joseph  Poland,  and  d  young;  Madison,  m.  Phebe 
G.  Bayrd,  and  recently  deceased. 

A  family  of  Hills  were  the  immediate  predecessors  of  Mr.  Sweetser 
on  this  place,  and  were  living  here  in  1795  :  several  of  the  family  were 
soldiers  in  the  Revolution;  Hon.  John  Hill,  Luther  Hill,  Esq.,  and 
others,  of  Stoneham,  are  understood  to  be  descended  from  this  family. 

The  place  was  the  early  homestead  of  Nathaniel  Eaton,  son  of  Jona. 
and  Mary  (see  Early  Settlers) ;  this  Nathaniel,  it  is  said,  during  the 
old  French  war,  tempted  by  the  reward  offered,  surrendered  up  a  de- 
serter who  had  taken  refuge  with  him ;  and  so  great  was  his  remorse 
on  account  thereof  that  he  committed  suicide. 

His  son  William  Eaton  succeeded  to  the  homestead;  m.  1762,  Re- 
becca Flint;  was  living  here  about  1765,  and  soon  after  removed, 
probably  to  North  Reading  or  Lynnfield. 

JOSEPH  HOPKINS  lived  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  E.  Sumner 
Hopkins. 

He  was  son  and  successor  of  Ebenezer  and  Ruth  Hopkins  ;  b.  1761 ; 


/ 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


405 


in.,  ist,  1797,  Patience  Hale,  of  Newbury  ;  m  ,  zd,  1812  (or  '13),  Pattv 
Crocker,  of  Stoneham  ;  he  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution  ;  a  farmer, 
intelligent,  active,  honest ;  he  d.  1853,  aged  92.  Children:  Elizabeth 
Francis,  b.  1813  ;  m.  1839,  John  Adden,  Jr.,  of  Reading  ;  Joseph  Ban- 
croft, b.  1815  ;  m.  and  lives  in  Reading  ;  E.  Sumner,  b.  1816  ;  m.  Miss 
Parker,  of  Reading ;  Martha  C.,  b.  1819;  m.  1842,  Henry  W.  King- 
man,  of  New  York  ;  Mary  W.,  b.  1821;  m.  Joseph  L.  Pratt;  Sarah 
H  ,b.  1823;  m.  Elias  Boardman,  Jr., of  Saco,  Me.;  Lucretia  A.,  b.  1824  ; 
Lucy  Ann,  b.  1826. 

EBENEZER  HOPKINSON  (or  HOPKINS),  as  said  Ebenezer  wrote  it  in 
his  latter  years,  an  orthography  continued  by  the  family;  came  from 
Bradford  ;  m.  Ruth,  dau.  of  Joseph  Bancroft,  and  succeeded  to  his 
father-in-law's  homestead  ;  he  was  a  deacon,  a  strict  religionist,  and 
somewhat  of  a  poet,  as  the  following  lines  from  his  pen  will  show  : — 

"  Ladies,  can  you  in  conscience  say 
Your  useless,  costly,  fine  array, 
As  tassels,  top-knots,  flowery  stuff, 
Jewels  and  rings,  and  heaps  of  rust, 
With  pains,  expense,  and  spending  time, 
Can  be  slipp'd  o'er,  and  thought  no  crime  ? 
Can  you  procure  those  things  of  cost, 
And  say  no  time  nor  money 's  lost  ? 
Can  you  spend  months  to  curl  your  hair, 
And  years  to  fix  the  clothes  you  wear  ? 
Can  you  spend  all  the  Sabbath  morn 
Your  dust  and  ashes  to  adorn  ? 
Nor  all  the  morning  read  or  pray, 
Or  once  think  't  is  a  holy  day  ? 
And  think  it  is  no  thing  of  weight, 
That  you  come  into  church  so  late? 
At  length,  into  the  church  you  gather, 
With  here  a  tassel,  there  a  feather, 
And  many  other  knacks  and  knicks, 
Which,  I  judge,  took  you  hours  to  fix ; 
One  practice  more,  among  the  rest, 
With  which  you  ladies  are  possest, — 
Pray,  let  me  mention  just  this  one, 
Then  I  '11  dismiss  you,  and  will  done,  — 
When  you  together  hap  to  meet, 
Tea  for  to  drink  and  food  to  eat, 
Without  a  thought  that  God  has  given, 
Or  thinking  all  you  have  's  from  heaven, 
Heedless,  you  set  yourselves  to  eat, 
And  thus  contemptuously  do  treat 
Him  who  has  given  the  present  food, 


405 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Who  is  the  author  of  all  good  ; 

And  what 's  more  heaven-daring  still, 

Is,  when  you  've  eaten  to  the  fill, 

You  bless  not  God,  return  no  thanks, 

But  fall  to  playing  of  your  pranks, 

By  telling  fortunes  by  an  art 

Which  none  but  Satan  could  impart ; 

Pretending,  by  the  dregs  of  tea, 

To  read  nnother's  destiny  ; 

You  fortunes  tell  in  this  and  that, 

That  only  youthful  lusts  incite, 

Setting  your  passions  all  on  fire, 

And  rousing  up  impure  desire  ; 

Which  serves  to  draw  the  mind  from  good, 

In  disobedience  to  your  God. 

Ladies  !  I  now  to  you  appeal, 

What  spirit  does  this  thing  reveal  ? 

Can  you  think  God,  who  is  most  high, 

Is  pleased  with  such  vanity? 

To  you  thus  freely  intimates 

The  thing  which  in  his  heart  he  hates  ? 

You  can't,  I  'm  sure  ;  then  you  must  own 

Yeur  art  is  from  the  wicked  one. 

What,  be  familiar  with  the  devil  ! 

That  is  both  wicked  and  uncivil ! 

Remember,  when  you  eat  or  drink, 

Whatever  do,  whatever  think, 

You  are  obliged,  by  laws  of  nature, 

To  glorify  your  great  Creator." 

Dea.  Hopkins  was  grandfather  to  the  late  Col.  James  Hartshorn. 
This  farm  was  originally  set  off  from  theKendall  Parker  estate,  and 
was  first  separately  occupied  by  Joseph  Bancroft,  who  m.  a  dau.  of 
Kendall  Parker. 

CEDAR  STREET. 

JAMES  EMERSON,  Sen.,  and  JAMES  EMERSON,  Jr.,  father  and  son, 
lived  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  Lois,  wid,  of  James,  Jr. 

James  Emerson,  Sen.,  was  son '  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Emer- 
son, b.  1759;  m.  1788,  Abigail,  dau.  of  Thomas  Rayner;  d.  1839, 
aged  80.  Children  :  James,  b.  1789  ;  m.  Lois,  dau.  of  Col.  Joshua 
Burnham ;  was  a  farmer  and  razor-strap  maker,  and  is  dead  (see 
Special  Account) ;  Thomas,  b.  1790.  and  d.  unm. ;  Abigail ;  married 
Joseph  Hartshorn;  Nancy;  was  betrothed  to  Timothy  Burnham,  and 
d.  1815,  young;  Richard,  m.  1819,  Sarah  Chandler,  of  Andover,  and 
d.  a  young  man ;  Betsey,  m.  1825,  Jona.  Nichols,  of  Wakefield ; 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


407 


M:iry,  m.,  ist,  1825,  Aaron  Burditt,  Jr. ;  had  a  2d  husband ;  Lucy,  m. 
Robert  H.  Raddin. 

James,  Sen.,  was  a  quiet,  unambitious,  but  reputable  man ;  was  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolution  ;  succeeded  on  this  place,  his  father,  James 
Emerson,  who  was  called  "Judge  Emerson,"  probably  on  account  of 
his  wisdom  and  judiciousness,  and  who  was  the  son  of  Ebenezer  and 
Mary  (Boutwell)  Emerson,  and  a  great-grandson  of  Dea.  Thomas  Ken- 
dall, a  first  settler  and  the  first  occupant  of  this  farm. 

ENOCH  STOCKER  lived  on  the  place  where  Charles  Davis  recently 
lived,  in  a  very  small  house. 

Mr.  Stocker  came  from  Lynn;  m.  1787,  Hannah  Berry,  of  Lynn; 
he  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution  ;  was  at  the  battle  of  Stony  Point, 
under  Gen.  Wayne ;  was  of  a  volunteer  corps,  that  made  an  assault 
upon  the  enemy's  works,  and  as  he  climbed  to  the  top  of  the  parapet, 
the  enemy  ran  a  bayonet  through  his  thigh  ;  Stocker  forthwith  drew 
trigger,  shot  his  foe,  and  fell  inside  the  fort  upon  the  dead  body  of  his 
assailant.  He  lost  a  part  of  a  hand  in  battle  and  was  ever  lame  from  the 
wound  in  his  thigh.  His  wife  was  a  very  religious  woman,  though  some- 
what credulous  and  excitable,  as  the  following  circumstance  will  show. 

During  the  last  war  with  England,  a  detachment  of  U.  S.  flying 
artillery  came  galloping  into  the  village  one  day,  en  route  from  Salem 
to  Boston.  It  was  the  same  corps  to  which  Thos.  Melburn,  of  this 
place,  belonged,  and  they  paraded  on  the  common  in  front  of  the  Con- 
gregational church.  It  was  Fast  day,  and  during  the  time  of  service  in 
the  church.  The  tramp  and  neighing  of  war  steeds,  the  rumbling  of 
artillery  carriages,  the  clangor  of  trumpets,  the  roar  of  cannon,  and  the 
shouts  of  the  populace  created  quite  a  sensation  in  the  congregation, 
and  all  with  one  accord  left  their  devotions  and  rushed  to  the  doors 
and  windows  to  see  what  was  coming.  Mother  Stocker  went  with  the 
rest ;  and  just  then  the  bugle  gave  a  loud  and  piercing  blast,  that 
"  made  the  welkin  ring,"  and  Mother  Stocker  was  so  filled  with  con- 
sternation, that  she  exclaimed,  "  The  day  of  doom  has  come  !  The 
last  trump  is  sounding";  and  observing  the  ammunition  carts,  "See," 
said  she,  "  there  are  the  hearses." 

They  had  a  dau.  Sally,  b.  1788,  and  perhaps  other  children. 

It  is  understood  that  the  wife  of  Mr.  Newhall,  who  recently  owned 
and  occupied  the  Dr.  Hay  place,  was  a  descendant  of  Mr.  Stocker. 

This  place  was  subsequently  occupied  by  Prince  Keemer,  a  colored 
man,  who  was  once  a  slave,  and  whose  wife,  Dinah,  was  formerly  a 
slave  of  Jonathan  Poole ;  very  industrious,  intelligent,  and  respectable 
people.  Prince  died  in  1835,  supposed  to  be  100  years  old. 


408 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Jesse  Pope  succeeded  Mr.  Keemer  as  owner  of  the  place,  by  whom 
it  was  enlarged. 

CHARLES  GOULD  lived  on  the  place  lately  occupied  by  his  daughters, 
Rachel  and  Clarissa ;  he  was  son  of  Daniel,  and  nephew  of  Ebenezer 
Gould,  who  was  living  on  the  place  about  1765.  He  m.  1809,  Rachel 
Hitchins,  of  Saugus.  Children  :  Rachel,  who  m.  Mr.  McDougall,  and 
is  now  dead  ;  Clarissa,  who  lives  in  Wakefield,  unm. 

Mr.  Gould  was  a  man  of  quiet  manners,  and  pleasant  and  kind  dis- 
position ;  honest,  but  slow  and  indolent  in  his  habits. 

DANIEL  GOULD,  brother  of  the  foregoing,  lived  on  the  "  Dr.  Gould 
place,"  recently  so  called,  and  now  owned  by  Wm.  M.  Arrington. 

This  place,  although  within  a  half  mile  of  Wakefiald  common,  was 
formerly  within  the  bounds  of  Stoneham,  but  has  been  recently  annexed 
to  Wakefield. 

Mr.  Gould  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  long  known  as  "Squire 
Gould"  ;  b.  1767.  He  has  been  selectman  and  representative  of  Stone- 
ham.  Fie  married  Eunice  Coates,  and  was  an  intelligent,  kind-hearted, 
industrious,  and  worthy  man  ;  succeeded  his  father  Diniel  on  this 
place.  Children  :  Daniel ;  became  a  physician,  settled  first  at  Read- 
ing, and  afterwards  at  Maiden ;  had  an  excellent  reputation  as  a  skil- 
ful practitioner,  and  an  extensive  practice  ;  was  a  cheerful,  social,  and 
honest  man.  Mary,  m.  Capt.  Wm.  Richardson,  of  Stoneham  ;  Eunice, 
m.  Eli  A.  Yale,  Esq.,  lately  of  Charlestown  ;  Lucinda,  m.  David  Tilton, 
Esq.,  of  Stoneham  ;  Abraham  became  a  physician,  settled  in  Lynn, 
and  was  highly  esteemed.  Sophronia,  m.  Sam'l  Sweetser,  of  Boston, 
and  is  now  dead. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


409 


CHAPTER    X. 


SOUTH  READING. 

HISTORY,  FROM    ITS    INCORPORATION   TO  1844,  WITH  CENTENNIAL  CERE- 
MONIES IN  1844. 

1812,  Feb.  25,  the  town  of  South  Reading  was  incorporated.  The 
following  is  the  act  of  incorporation :  — 

"  SECT.  i.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives, 
in  General  Court  assembled,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same.  That  all 
that  tract  or  parcel  of  land,  with  the  inhabitants  thereon,  which  is 
within  the  bounds  of,  and  known  by  the  name  of,  the  First,»or  South 
Parish  in  Reading,  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  as  the  same  has  been 
heretofore  bounded  and  described  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby  incorpo- 
rated and  established  as  a  town  by  the  name  of  South  Reading,  and  the 
said  town  is  hereby  vested  with  all  the  powers  and  privileges,  and 
subject  to  all  the  duties  and  requisitions  of  other  towns,  according  to 
the  constitution  and  laws  of  this  Commonwealth. 

"  SECT.  2.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  inhabitants  of  said  town 
of  South  Reading  shall  be  holden  to  pay  all  State,  town  and  county 
taxes,  which  have  been  assessed  upon  them  prior  to  the  passing  of  this 
act,  and  they  shall  also  be  holden  to  contribute  and  pay  to  the  town  of 
Reading  their  just  proportion  of  all  debts  now  due  and  owing  by  that 
town,  and  the  said  town  of  South  Reading  shall  also  be  holden  to  sup- 
port, as  nearly  as  may  be,  its  due  proportion  of  all  paupers  who  are 
now  supported  by  said  town  of  Reading,  whether  the  same  be  in  whole 
or  in  part  so  supported,  and  after  the  organization  of  South  Reading, 
such  proportion  of  paupers  shall  be  delivered  to  the  overseers  of  that 
town,  to  be  supported  and  maintained  by  them  accordingly.  And.  in 
case  any  person,  not  resident  in  Reading,  but  having  a  legal  settlement 
therein,  shall  hereafter  be  returned  to  that  town  for  support ;  in  case 
such  person  derives  his  settlement  from  any  person  who  has  heretofore 
resided  in  that  territory  now  established  as  South  Reading,  then,  and 
in  such  case,  such  poor  person  shall  be  returned  to,  and  be  liable  to  be 
maintained  by  South  Reading ;  provided,  that  such  town  shall  in  no 
52 


4io 


GEA/EAl.OGH.AL    HISTORY 


case  be  chargeable  with  the  support  of  any  paupers  who  would  not 
have  been  chargeable  to  said  town  of  Reading. 

"  SECT.  3.  Beit  further  enacted^  That  any  justice  of  the  peace  for  the 
County  of  Middlesex,  is  hereby  authorized,  upon  application  therefor,  to 
issue  a  warrant,  directed  to  a  freeholder  and  inhabitant  of  said  town  of 
South  Reading,  requiring  him  to  notify  and  warn  the  inhabitants  thereof 
to  meet  at  such  convenient  time  and  place  as  shall  be  appointed  in  the 
warrant,  to  choose  such  officers  as  towns  are  by  law  empowered  and 
required  to  choose  at  their  annual  town  meeting  ;  provided,  that  the  said 
town  of  South  Reading  shall  be  holden,  until  the  further  order  of  the 
Legislature,  to  pay  to  the  town  of  Reading  such  proportion,  if  any,  of 
the  expenses  of  maintaining  the  bridges  and  causeways  over  Ipswich 
river,  within  said  town,  as  a  committee  of  the  Court  of  Sessions  for 
said  county  shall  determine ;  and  said  Court  of  Sessions  are  hereby 
authorized,  on  the  application  of  either  of  the  inhabitants  of  Reading 
or  South  Reading,  from  time  to  time,  to  appoint  a  committee  for  the 
above  purpose,  whose  report,  made  to  and  accepted  by  said  court, 
shall  be  binding  upon  said  towns. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  said  town  was  held  March  5th,  under  a  war- 
rant from  John  Hart,  Esq.,  and  the  following  list  of  officers  elected, 
namely  :  — 

Moderator.  —  John  Hart,  Esq. 

For  Town  Clerk.  —  John  Gould. 

For  Town  Treasurer.  —  Lilley  Eaton. ' 

For  Selectmen,  Assessors,  and  Overseers  of  Poor.  —  James  Gould,  Ben- 
jamin Badger,  John  Gould. 

For  Surveyors  of  Highways.  —  Wm.  Williams,  Suel  Winn,  Lt.  John 
Sweetser,  John  Gould. 

For  Constable.  —  Benjamin  Swain. 

For  Fence  Viewers.  —  Lilley  Eaton,  Benjamin  Swain,  Burrage  Yale. 

For  Field  Drivers. — James  Emerson,  John  Adden,  Aaron  Burditt. 

Fire  Wardens.  —  Capt.  Noah  Smith,  John  Rayner,  Col.  Amos 
Boardman,  Jeremiah  Green. 

For  Surveyors  of  Timber.  —  Lt.  Benjamin  Walton,  Benj.  Swain. 

For  Fish  Committee.  —  Benjamin  B.  Wiley,  Joseph  Bryant,  James 
Walton,  Caleb  Green. 

For  Tythingmen.  —  Benjamin  Emerson,  Joseph  Hopkins., 

For  Leather  Sealer.  — John  Gould. 

For  Pound  Keeper.  — John  Rayner. 

For  Hog  Reeves.  —  Amos  Evans,  John  Brown,  Jr.,  Jesse  Carter, 
James  Mitchell,  Win.  Sweetser. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  4U 

At  a  second  meeting  of  the  new  town  held  March  i4th,  Messrs.  James 
Gould,  Benjamin  Badger,  John  Gould,  Dr.  John  Hart,  Capt.  Noah 
Smith,  Lt.  John  Sweetser,  and  Burrage  Yale,  were  chosen  a  committee 
to  settle  with  the  town  of  Reading  respecting  the  poor,  and  other 
affairs. 

At  a  meeting,  held  April  6th,  of  such  inhabitants  of  South  Read- 
ing, as  "  are  twenty  years  of  age  and  upwards,  having  a  freehold  estate 
within  the  Commonwealth  of  the  annual  income  of  three  pounds,  or  any 
estate  to  the  value  of  sixty  pounds" 

Voted,  To  raise  eight  hundred  pounds  for  common  and  ordinary 
charges. 

Voted  to  raise  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  schooling.  Then 
chose  Col.  Amos  Boardman,  Lilley  Eaton,  *  Paul  Sweetser,  and  Caleb 
Green,  a  committee  to  spend  the  money. 

Voted  to  raise  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  repairs  of  high- 
ways. 

This  year  war  with  England  was  declared  by  the  United  States. 
The  town  of  South  Reading  being  largely  Republican  in  its  politics, 
was  decided  in  favor  of  the  war,  believing  that  it  would  be  dishonor- 
able in  the  nation  tamely  to  submit  to  the  insults  inflicted  by  England 
upon  our  seamen,  and  upon  our  national  flag. 

They  chose  Capt  Noah  Smith  and  Capt.  Thomas  Emerson  as  dele- 
gates to  a  convention  at  Concord,  "  to  take  into  view  the  situation  of 
our  public  affairs." 

A  new  powder-house  was  erected  on  "  Hot-house  Shore,"  and  sup- 
plied with  powder  and  ball.  An  extra  allowance  of  money  was  voted 
to  those  who  should  be  detached  or  drafted  for  the  public  service  ;  and 
that  riflemen  that  shall  be  detached,  shall  be  received  the  same  as 
drafted  men.  Selectmen  were  authorized  to  procure  men  for  the  pub- 
lic service,  whenever  called  for. 

South  Reading  subsequently  authorized  the  purchase  of  guns  and 
accoutrements  to  supply  those  of  the  militia  who  have  none ;  to  fur- 
nish ball  cartridges  to  the  militia,  and  lead  and  powder  to  the  rifle  and 
cavalrymen ;  chose  Lt.  Aaron  Cowdrey,  Lt.  John  Sweetser,  Joseph 
Eaton,  and  Lilley  Eaton,  a  committee  to  provide  for  the  support  of  the 
families  of  such  soldiers  as  may  be  called  into  the  field  ;  adopted,  as  a 
signal  for  an  alarm,  the  firing  of  three  guns,  ringing  the  bell,  and  beat- 
ing the  base  drum,  and  adopted  the  following  resolutions  (reported  by 

*  Lilley  Eaton  declined  serving  as  school  committee,  and  Lemuel  Svveeiser  was 
chosen  in  his  place. 


412 


GENEALOGICAL  hISTCRY 


a  committee  consisting  of  John   Hart,  William  Nichols,  and  Samuel 
Evans) :  — 

"  i st.  That  in  times  like  the  present,  big  with  danger,  and  threat- 
ening momentary  change,  we  should  lose  no  time,  in  our  corporate  as 
well  as  individual  capacities,  in  making  the  utmost  exertions  to  meet 
the  enemy  and  repel  his  attacks. 

"  2d.  That  our  Government  has  a  right  to  the  services,  as  well  as 
money,  of  all  its  citizens,  when  necessary  for  the  common  good ;  and 
that  we  ought  freely  to  bestow  either  or  both,  when  duly  required  by  the 
proper  authorities. 

"  3d.  That  in  a  government  like  ours,  emanating  from  ourselves, 
however  we  may  censure  the  heads  of  the  Federal  or  State  Govern- 
ment, for  past  or  present  errors  ;  during  the  period  of  their  election,  we 
ought  to  submit  to  their  will,  constitutionally  expressed,  for  the  public 
good ;  and  that  we  will  support  them,  with  our  feeble  means,  in  all 
lawful  measures  for  the  public  defence. 

"  4th.  As  the  enemy  have  generally  evinced  a  disposition  to  save 
private  property ;  so  this  is  not  a  war  to  preserve  property,  but  our 
rights,  liberties,  and  independence;  and  as  those  are  as  dear  to  the  poor 
man  as  to  the  rich  one,  to  whom  alike  is  the  desire  of  transmitting  them 
to  their  posterity,  so  the  poor  man  has  as  much  at  stake  in  this  war  as 
the  rich  one,  and  is  equally  interested  in"  its  success. 

"5th.  That  the  militia  has  been,  and  is  considered,  the  bulwark  of 
our  defence ;  that  it  ought  to  receive  every  assistance  from  us  ;  and  in 
return,  we  presume  it  will  be  willing  to  perform  its  all  important  duties. 
On  the  present  emergency,  it  is  our  chief  reliance  ;  for,  though  indi- 
vidual ardor  may  occasionally  perform  prodigies  of  valor,  it  is  in  the 
united  valor  of  numbers,  disposed  in  order  and  method,  and  directed 
by  one  mind,  that  we  may  hope  to  withstand  the  well  disciplined  legions 
of  the  enemy. 

"  6th.  That  it  be  recommended  to  have  a  town  committee  to  visit 
the  families  of  those  who  may  be  called  into  the  service  of  their  coun- 
try, to  see  that  they  have  the  comforts  of  life,  and  administer  relief 
to  those  who  may  be  destitute  of  them,  without  an  application  for  that 
purpose. 

"  yth.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
militia  to  meet  often,  for  the  purpose  of  exercise,  and  acquiring  those 
habits  of  discipline,  without  which  they  cannot  hope  to  conquer. 

"  8th.  That  it  be  recommended  to  have  signals  agreed  upon,  to  give 
speedy  notice  in  this  town  of  an  attack  upon  the  navy-yard,  or  its 
vicinity,  that  every  man  may  have  an  opportunity  to  display  his 


OF    THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


413 


valor,  and  aim  at  least  one  blow  to  avenge  the  many  wrongs  of  our 
much  injured  country. 

"  Lastly,  As  it  is  a  maxim  too  often  verified  in  this  country,  '  to 
promise  and  not  perform]  so  let  us  resolve,  but  only  this,  to  perform 
more  than  we  promise,  and  may  the  God  of  armies  so  enable  us  !  " 

The  town  of  Reading,  then  including  the  present  town  of  North 
Reading,  being  mainly  Federal  in  its  politics,  was  opposed  to  the  war, 
not  but  what  they  felt  the  insult  to  the  American  flag,  and  the  im- 
pressment of  sailors  from  our  merchant  ships,  as  sensibly  as  others,  but 
they  were  in  favor  of  obtaining  relief  and  redress  by  some  other  mode 
than  by  war.  At  a  meeting  pf  the  town  of  Reading,  held  July 
13,  1812,  "  the  question  was  put  whether  the  town  was  in  favor  of  a 
war  with  Great  Britain,  and  no  man  voted  in  favor  of  said  war."  A 
committee  of  seven  were  appointed  to  prepare  resolutions  in  relation 
to  the  war.  This  committee  reported ;  their  report  was  accepted, 
and  recommitted  to  be  corrected  and  published.  There  is  no  record 
of  any  further  action  by  the  town  in  the  matter.  The  resolutions, 
which  were  doubless  condemnatory  of  the  war,  appear  not  to  have 
been  published,  and  no  copy  thereof  is  preserved. 

Although  it  appears  by  the  above  action  that  the  people  of  Reading 
did  not  favor  the  declaration  of  war,  yet  we  find  them  active  and  ready 
to  respond  to  all  the  requirements  of  government ;  their  love  of  coun- 
try inducing  them  to  support  the  war  when  once  declared,  whether 
"  right  or  wrong."  This  is  shown  in  the  following  vote,  passed  SepL 
9,  1814:- 

"  Voted,  That  the  soldiers  that  were  detached  last  shall  have  their 
wages  made  up  to  fifteen  dollars  per  month  ;  and  that  if  the  whole 
of  the  militia  should  be  called  out,  they  should  have  their  wages  made 
up  to  fifteen  dollars  per  month,  also." 

Prior  to  the  incorporation  of  the  town  of  South  Reading,  it  had 
been  the  practice  from  time  immemorial,  for  the  schools  in  the  First 
Parish  to  be  supplied  with  wood  from  the  parish  wood-lot.  After  said 
incorporation,  the  town  claimed  the  right  to  continue  to  supply  the 
schools  with  wood  from  the  same  source.  To  this  the  parish  objected. 
The  town  persisted,  however,  and  employed  Jonas  Parker  to  cut  and 
bring  from  the  parish,  or  ministerial  wood-lot,  wood  as  usual  for  the 
schools.  Whereupon  the  parish  prosecuted  the  town  through  the 
town's  agent.  The  case  was  carried  to  the  Supreme  Court,  and  the 
following  report  of  the  town's  agents  will  show  with  what  result :  — 

"  The  agents  of  the  town  to  defend  an  action  brought  against  Jonas 
Parker,  for  trespass,  report :  That  after  a  hearing  before  the  Supreme 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Court,  the  case  was  decided  in  favor  of  the  plaintiffs,  and  as  the  parish 
had  a  legal  claim  to  the  wood-lot  by  right  of  possession,  your  agents 
thought  it  most  prudent  not  to  make  any  further  attempt  to  defend  said 
action.  And  while  they  regret  that  the  expense  was  considerably  en- 
hanced by  chicane  and  huggermugger,  it  is  with  pleasure  they  exon- 
erate the  agent  of  the  parish  from  that  duplicity  and  indecorum  which 
are  too  common  among  contending  parties. 

BENJAMIN   BADGER, 
NOAH    SMITH, 
LEMUEL  SWEETSER, 

A  proviso  added  to  the  last  section  of  the  act  incorporating  the 
town  of  South  Reading,  inserted,  it  is  said,  in  the  latter  stage  of  its  pas- 
sage, at  the  suggestion  of  the  sagacious  representative  from  the  north 
part  of  Reading  (the  south  part  not  being  represented),  made  the  new 
town  liable  for  a  share  of  the  expenses  of  supporting  the  bridges 
over  Ipswich  River.  The  people  of  South  Reading  felt  that  this  pro- 
vision was  unjust,  and  ought  not  to  have  passed,  and  were  about  to 
petition  the  Legislature  for  its  repeal,  but  fortunately  were  able  to  effect 
a  settlement  by  compromise,  as  the  following  document  will  show  :  — 

"  To  the  inhabitants  of  South  Reading,  in  legal  town  meeting  assem- 
bled :  Their  agents,  chosen  to  defend  the  action  brought  by  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Reading  against  them  (to  obtain  the  sum  of  $1,943.53,  debt 
and  damage),  and  to  make  any  agreement  relative  to  the  same,  etc., 
make  report :  That  on  the  i  ith  of  November,  instant,  they  were  enabled 
to  make  a  settlement  with  Reading  upon  the  following  terms,  to  wit : 
The  inhabitants  of  Reading,  by  their  committee  or  agents,  made  a 
release  to  the  inhabitants  of  South  Reading  of  all  duties  imposed 
upon  them,  and  all  actions  and  demands  arising  by  or  from  the  act  to 
establish  the  town  of  South  Reading ;  and  in  consideration  thereof, 
your  agents  made  a  note,  promising  in  their  behalf  to  pay  to  the 
treasurer  of  Reading,  or  his  successor  in  office,  the  sum  of  five 
hundred  dollars,  in  one  year  from  the  date  thereof,  with  interest  till 
paid,  and  subscribed  by  a  major  part  of  us,  and  all  of  us  who  were 
present.  Each  party  is  to  pay  its  own  expense  about  the  suit.  That 
said  sum  is  more  than  in  equity  should  have  been  paid  may  be  true, 
but  the  laws  wisely  execute  contracts  as  they  are,  leaving  it.  to  the. 
caution  of  individuals  to  make  them  at  first  what  they  ought  to  be. 
Your  agents  are  fully  satisfied  that  said  sum  is  as  little  as  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Reading  would  have  taken ;  and  from  the  best  advice  we 
could  obtain  (and  the  first  counsellor  in  the  Commonwealth  has  been 
consulted  for  that  purpose),  it  is  considerably  less  than  by  law  would 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  415 

have  been  recovered.  The  expense  of  further  litigation  has  thus  been 
saved  to  our  constituents,  who  have  thus  far  become  exempt  from  pay- 
ing their  further  devoirs  to  the  "  genius  of  law,"  the  terrors  of  whose 
frowns  they  seem  rather  to  have  contemplated,  than  the  scales  of  jus- 
tice that  balance  in  her  hand.  If  we  have  been  instrumental  in 
plucking  one  feather  from  the  bird  of  discord,  we  sincerely  hope  it  may 
prove  the  harbinger  to  our  society  of  future  peace. 
All  which  is  respectfully  submitted  by  your  agents. 

WILLIAM  NICHOLS. 
NOAH   SMITH. 
JAMES  GOULD. 
SAMUEL  EVANS,  JR. 
Nov.  15,  1813. 

Thus  was  the  last  root  of  bitterness  which  grew  out  of  the  separa- 
tion of  the  old  town  plucked  up,  and  that  peace  so  sincerely  hoped  for 
by  the  agents  above  mentioned,  has  ever  since  reigned  between  these 
sister  towns. 

South  Reading  commenced  printing  its  town  expenses. 

South  Reading  voted  that  the  Universalist  society  may  occupy  the 
Centre  school-house  "  one  Sabbath  in  a  "month,  next  preceding  the 
full  of  the  moon." 

Thomas  Swain,  a  noted  schoolmaster,  died. 

1814.  —  In  districting  the  State  for  representatives  in  Congress  this 
year,  the  town  of  South  Reading  was  included  in  the  Essex  North 
District.  Whereupon,  the  town  of  South  Reading  petitioned  the  Legis- 
lature as  follows :  "  The  undersigned,  being  a  committee,  duly  chosen 
for  that  purpose  by  the  town  of  South  Reading,  in  the  County  of 
Middlesex,  in  their  behalf  beg  leave  to  represent :  That  by  an  act  of  the 
General  Court,  passed  June  14,  1814,  the  said  town  of  South  Reading 
was  set  off  from  Middlesex  District  for  the  choice  of  a  representative 
in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  and  annexed  to  Essex  North  Dis- 
trict for  that  purpose ;  that  although  the  territorial  limits  of  said  town 
adjoin  those  of  three  other  representative  districts,  still  they  are  totally 
disconnected  with,  nor  do  they  in  any  one  point  adjoin  the  territorial 
limits  of  the  residue  of  Essex  North  District ;  that  a  territorial  space 
nearly  four  miles  in  breadth,  composing  parts  of  two  representative 
districts,  intervenes  and  severs  said  town  from  the  main  body  of  the 
district,  with  which  it  must  unite  in  giving  its  votes  ;  that  the  inhabi- 
tants of  said  town,  in  their  common  transactions  of  life,  are  equally 


416  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

disconnected  with  the  other  inhabitants  of  said  district,  as  their  terri- 
torial limits  ;  that,  from  their  local  situation,  they  have  never  had  any 
concern  in  common,  whether  of  a  political,  comitial,  municipal,  mili- 
tary, commercial,  or  private  nature,  nor  any  other  community  of  inter- 
est whatever,  with  the  rest  of  said  district,  or  any  part  thereof;  that 
they  are  entire  strangers  to  the  interests  of  said  district,  strangers  to 
its  inhabitants,  and  strangers  to  the  persons,  characters,  and  qualifica- 
tions of  its  candidates  for  election  ;  that  said  district,  as  at  present 
constituted,  does  not  indeed  resemble  the  far-famed  "  Gerri-mander"  of 
former  days,  nor  does  it  resemble  the  curvilineal  turnings  and  twistings 
of  the  extreme  end  of  the  present  Suffolk  District,  but,  unlike  any- 
thing that  has  ever  existed,  it  departs  from  nature's  principle  of  organ- 
izing beings,  and  possesses  the  rare  attribute  of  existing  in  two  places 
at  one  and  the  same  time. 

Wherefore,  said  inhabitants  of  South  Reading,  unwilling  to  believe 
that  those,  who  have  so  liberally  censured  others,  should  themselves  so 
soon  be  guided  by  the  narrow  views  of  party  ;  unwilling  to  believe  that 
any  unforgotten  grudge  to  the  little  town  of  South  Reading  should 
contribute  to  produce  the  singular  distinction,  it  has  so  injuriously 
received  ;  and  fully  confident  in  the  justice  and  propriety  of  their 
petition,  beseech  your  honorable  Court  to  re-annex  them  to  the  Middle- 
sex District,  with  whom  they  have  ever  been  in  the  habit  of  transacting 
their  business,  and  with  whose  interests  and  inhabftants  they  are  per- 
sonally acquainted.  And  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray." 

This  petition  was  signed  by  Wm.  Nichols,  Lemuel  Sweetser,  and 
James  Gould,  Committee. 

The  said  petition  was  granted,  and  the  town  was  re-annexed  to 
Middlesex  District. 

1815.  —  This  year  the  people  of  South  Reading  celebrated  the  return 
of  peace  with  England,  by  an  oration,  public  festival,  and  other  demon- 
strations. 

The  oration  was  delivered  by  Charles  G.  Haines,  Esq.,  the  teacher 
of  the  town  school,  a  young  man  of  t  ilent  and  oratorial  gifts,  who  was 
afterwards  Attorney-General  of  the  State  of  New  York.  His  address 
was  eloquent  and  patriotic,  and  "received  the  reiterated  plaudits  of  a 
numerous  audience." 

A  sumptuous  feast  was  spread  in  Hale's  hall,  to  which  a  procession 
of  citizens,  escorted  by  the  "  Washington  Rifle  Greens,"  Capt.  Hay, 
repaired ;  after  partaking  of  the  feast,  they  enjoyed,  amid  the  roar  of 
cannon  and  the  flow  of  wine,  the  following  flow  of  soul  — 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 

"Our  country.  —  The  clouds  that  darkened  her  sky  are  bursting 
asunder." 

"The  Administration. — Thorns  and  briars  have  beset  their  path, — 
but  they  have  overcome  them." 

"  The  President  of  the  United  States.  —  Posterity  will  do  him  jus- 
tice." 

"The  victory  at  New  Orleans.  —  Though  gained  since  the  signing  * 
the  Treaty,  yet  for  our  country's  glory,  the  blood  there  shed  was  not 
spilled  in  vain." 

"  Our  Naval  Victories.  —  John  Bull,  by  his  wincing,  shows  how  they 
hurt  him." 

"  Jackson,  Brown,  Macomb,  and  others.  —  Well  done,  good  and  faith- 
ful servants." 

"  The  Navy.  —  It  has  fought  itself  into  favor." 

"  The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  the  Hartford  Convention,  and 
the  Commissioners  at  Washington.  —  All  of  a  Piece" 

"Europe.  —  A  great  Checker-board;  to  get  crowned  is  the  object  of 
all." 

"The  Algerines.  —  We  owe  them  a  tribute?  No!  Chastisement? 
Yes !  and  we  have  now  leisure  to  give  it  them." 

"  The  Fair  Sex.  —  Peace,  without  fighting  for  it." 

"  The  company  of  '  Rifle  Greens,'  who  have  honored  us  with  their 
presence.  —  On  Dorchester  Heights  ready  to  measure  strength  with  their  . 
enemies;  here,  ready  to  measure  bumpers  with  their  friends." 

(By  Joseph  Spear,  Esq.)  "  The  Orator  of  the  Day.  —  He  has  done 
honor  to  his  honors." 

(By  C.  G.  Haines,  Esq.)  "The  British  Lion. —  We  have  hunted 
him,  —  to  his  den." 

(By  B.  Badger,  Sen.)  Strong's  Bull-work*  —  May  the  work  of  John 
Bull,  the  Pope,  and  the  Devil  never  more  disturb  this  happy  land." 

The  following  ode,  composed  for  the  occasion,  was  sung :  — 

"  Long  did  the  world,  to  fruitless  war, 
Drive  furious  on  Bellona's  car  ; 
And  countless  numbers  of  our  race 
Sunk  joyless  in  death's  cold  embrace  ; 
When,  from  the  crystalline  abode, 
Encircling  'round  the  throne  of  God, 
A  gentle  spirit  downward  bends 
Her  cheering  course,  and  man  befriends. 

*  Gov.  Strong  had  called  England  the  "bulwark  of  our  religion". 
53 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

No  more  the  jarring  trumpet's  voice, 

No  more  the  murderous  cannon's  noise, 

The  orphan's  cry,  the  widow's  tear, 

No  more  with  pain  shall  strike  the  ear. 

Enough,  for  injur'd  country's  name, 

Is  done  to  honor  and  to  fame  ; 

She  comes,  —  the  hostile  contests  cease,  — 

All  hail,  sweet  cherub,  Heaven-born  Peace  ! " 

In  September  of  this  year  occurred  the  "  Great  Gale."  Many  build- 
ings were  blown  down,  the  lofty  spire  of  the  Congregational  church,  in 
South  Reading,  was  blown  off,  many  shade  and  fruit  trees  were  uprooted, 
and  an  immense  amount  of  wood  and  timber  prostrated. 

1816.  —  A  young  woman   by  the  name  of  Perry  hung  herself,  this 
year,  in  a  garret  in  the  south  part  of  the  town. 

1817.  —  Pomp  Putamia,  a  very  respectable   negro,  died,  aged  59 
years.     His  property,  after  the  decease  of  a  sister,  he  devised  to  chari- 
table purposes. 

Andrew  Oliver,  said  to  be  one  of  those  engaged  in  throwing  the  tea 
into  Boston  Harbor  at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution,  died  in  this  town, 
aged  70  years. 

There  were  earthquakes  in  September  and  October  of  this  year. 

This  year,  the  first  stage  that  ever  passed  through  this  town,  regu- 
larly, commenced  running  once  a  week. 

1818. — Rev.  G.  F.  Davis  was  this  year  settled  over  the  Baptist 
church  and  society. 

This  year,  the  town  voted  "  that  no  theological  catechisms  shall  be 
taught  in  any  schools  supported  by  the  town." 

1819.  —  In  May  of  this  year,  town  voted  to  build  a  town  house  ;  and 
jn  June  they  reconsidered  the  vote. 

Rev.  Cyrus  Pierce  was  ordained  at  North  Precinct. 

1820. — July  4th,  Independence  was  celebrated  on  Rabbit  Island, 
and  an  oration  was  there  delivered  by  William  Nichols,  Esq. 

In  December,  the  Baptist  meeting-house  was  removed  from  the  place 
of  its  erection  (on  Salem  Street)  to  the  spot  it  afterwards  occupied  on 
the  Common,  the  land  having  been  generously  given  in  exchange  for 
the  land  on  which  it  formerly  stood,  by  Col.  Lemuel  Sweetser. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


419 


1822.  —  An  addition  was  this  year  made  to  the   Baptist  meeting- 
house, and  a  cupola  erected. 

School  houses  in  the  east  and  west  districts  were  erected  this  year. 

Joseph  Wells,  aged  14  years  (son  of  the  Hon.  Charles  Wells,  late 
mayor  of  the  city  of  Boston),  was  drowned  in  the  pond  while  bathing. 
A  great  mortality  prevailed,  and  forty-two  persons  died  during  the  year. 

1823.  —  Jan.  zoth,  the  dwelling-house  of  Zaba  Bartlett  (which  stood 
where  Mr.  Henry  Knowles'  house  now  is)  was'burned. 

The  newer  half  of  the  Centre  school-house  was  erected  this  year. 

Three  hundred  dollars,  which  was  the  usual  sum,  was  raised  for 
schooling. 

Col.  Amos  Boardman  died,  aged  68.  He  was  a  man  who  will  be 
remembered  for  his  public  spirit,  his  military  ardor,  and  particularly 
for  the  interest  he  took  in  our  schools.  He  was  for  many  years  one  ot 
the  school  committee,  and  possessed  a  happy  talent  of  waking  up  in  the 
youthful  mind  a  new  and  increased  ardor  for  the  ways  of  knowledge 
and  literature. 

Nov.  2ist,  died  William  Nichols,  Esq.,  counsellor,  aged  36  years. 
Esquire  Nichols  settled  in  this  town  in  1812  or  1813.  was  selectman 
for  several  years,  and  was  a  delegate  to  the  Convention  of  1820,  for 
revising  the  State  constitution.  As  a  lawyer,  he  was  of  the  first  class. 
He  was  no  pettifogger,  for  in  all  petty  causes  between  neighbors,  it  was 
his  usual  practice  to  advise  a  settlement,  choosing  rather  to  forego  the 
fees  arising  therefrom  than  to  see  his  fellow-citizens  engaged  in  these 
quarrels.  He  was  a  useful  citizen,  possessing  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  the  people  ;  and,  although  his  day  was  a  short  one,  and  his 
sun,  which  had  shone  brightly,  set  at  last  in  a  cloud,  still  he  will  be 
long  held  in  respectful  remembrance. 

1824. — The  bell,  which  formerly  hung  upon  the  Baptist  meeting- 
house, was  this  year  purchased. 

The  town  voted  "  that  the  bell  should  be  hung  on  the  Baptist  meet- 
ing-house, to  remain  there  during  the  pleasure  of  the  town,  the  town 
using  it  for  all  town  purposes,  as  they  see  fit,  and  that  the  Baptist  so- 
ciety have  the  privilege  of  using  it  for  their  religious  meetings,  the 
same  as  the  Congregationalists  use  the  other  bell  which  is  hung  on 
their  meeting-house." 

The  succession  of  discordant  peals  which  were  rung  upon  this  bell  for 
several  years  we  will  not  now  sound  over  again. 


42O 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


1825.  —  May  i6th,  the  house  of  David  Wiley  (on  the  site  of  his  later 
house)  was  burnt. 

The  town's  farm  and  almshouse  were  purchased. 

1826.  —  June  28th,  Capt.  James  Gould's  barn  was  burnt. 

1827.  —  School-house  in  South  District  built. 

This  year  there  was  great  commotion  in  the  town.,  occasioned  by  the 
disagreement  of  the  school  committee  in  relation  to  the  teacher  of  the 
Centre  school.  A  master,  who  had  been  hired  by  one  of  the  school 
committee  and  placed  in  the  Centre  school,  was,  after  having  kept  a  few 
weeks,  ordered  by  a  majority  of  the  committee  to  leave  the  school-room, 
as  they  had  provided  another  person  to  teach  the  school  Upon  this, 
the  district  were  called  together,  and  they  almost  unanimously  requested 
the  master  to  continue  his  school.  He  did  so  without  further  molesta- 
tion, the  majority  of  the  school  committee  concluding  to  wait  until  this 
school  was  closed  before  they  introduced  their  master. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  district  again  met,  and  determined  that  the 
school  should  be  continued  after  the  term  of  the  present  teacher  shall 
have  expired. 

Accordingly,  two  masters  were  placed  in  the  same  school  at  the  same 
time,  the  one  by  a  majority  of  the  town's  committee,  and  supported  by 
them  and  others  in  person  ;  the  other  placed  there  by  a  committee  of 
the  district,  and  supported  by  them  in  person.  A  part  of  the  scholars 
obeyed  one  master,  and  a  part  the  other,  and  in  this  confusion, "  worse 
confounded,"  each  teacher  endeavored  to  carry  on  the  business  of  in- 
struction. The  excitement  arose  to  a  tremendous  and  fearful  pitch ; 
at  length,  the  chairman  of  the  town's  committee,  who  was  a  lawyer* 
issued  writs,  in  the  name  but  without  the  authority  of  the  town,  against 
the  committee  of  the  district  and  the  teacher  they  had  placed  in  the 
school  room,  for  trespass,  attached  their  persons,  and  carried  three 
of  them,  viz.  Dea.  Jacob  Eaton,  Lemuel  Sweetser,  and  Thomas  Evans, 
to  Cambridge,  and  imprisoned  them  in  the  county  jail. 

The  teacher  of  the  district,  with  a  majority  of  the  scholars,  soon  after 
retired  from  the  school,  and  left  the  teacher  employed  by  the  town  com- 
mittee to  continue  the  school. 

The  suit,  thus  commenced,  was  afterwards  decided  in  favor  of  the 
defendants,  and  the  cost  of  the  suit  was  thrown  upon  the  town.  The 
town  then  sued  the  chairman  of  the  school  committee  for  the  expense 
he  had  brought  upon  them,  in  issuing  in  their  name,  and  without  their 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


421 


authority,  and  recovered  the  amount  and  costs  of  prosecution,  which 
ended  this  unhappy  affair. 

1828.  —  The  South  Reading  Academy  was  incorporated,  and  opened 
for  students  in  September. 

Corporators.  —  Gustavus  F.  Davis,  Burrage  Yale,  Lemuel  Sweetser, 
Nathan  Richardson,  Lilley  Eaton,  Cyrus  P.  Grosvenor,  James  D. 
Knowles,  Howard  Malcolm,  Nathaniel  R.  Cobb,  Henry  Jackson,  James 
Loring,  Lucius  Bolles,  Rufus  Babcock,  Jr.,  George  Leonard,  Michael 
Webb,  Jr.,  Arthur  Drinkwater,  Charles  O.  Kimball,  Bela  Jacobs,  John 
E.  Weston,  and  Samuel  S.  Mallory. 

Greenwood  Street  laid  out  this  year. 

1829.  —  Rev.  G  F.  Davis,  who  had  been  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church 
for  eleven  years,  was  dismissed,  and  Rev.  Joseph  A.  Warne  was  settled 
over  that  church. 

South  Reading  Temperance  Society  organized. 

1830.  —  This  year,  Rev.  J.  A.  Warne  was  dismissed  from  the  pas- 
toral care  of  the  Baptist  church. 

1831.  —  April  3d,  Henry  B.  Gardner  of  this  town  died  at  Charles- 
town,  from  injuries  received  by  falling  from,  and  being  run  over  by,  a 
loaded  wagon.     He  was  an  amiable  and  promising  young  man,  and 
died  lamented  by  all  his  acquaintances. 

South  Reading  Lyceum  organized. 

In  July  of  this  year,  two  law  cases,  entitled  "  Emerson  versus  Wiley," 
which  had  been  in  court  nearly  six  years,  which  had  divided  the  town 
into  two  great  parties,  created  a  mighty  excitement,  and  enlisted  on 
both  sides  of  the  question  a  huge  amount  of  anxiety,  prejudice,  rancor, 
and  party  feeling,  were  decided. 

July  zyth. — Widow  of  the  late  Dr.  Stimpson  died,  aged  97^  years. 

1832.  —  Rev.  James    Huckins  ordained   as   pastor   of   the    Baptist 
church  and  society. 

July  4th.  —  Celebration  in  memory  of  American  Independence,  with 
an  oration  by  Robert  Rantoul,  Jr.,  Esq.,  and  other  appropriate  exer- 
cises. 

Here  follow  a  portion  of  the  sentiments  offered  on  the  joyful  occa- 
sion :  — 

"  Adams,  Jefferson  and  Munroe.  —  Whose  mortality  upon  this  event- 


422 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


ful  jubilee  has  contributed  to  render  the  day  and  their  names  immortal. 
As,  in  autumn,  it  sometimes  occurs  that  the  gale  or  whirlwind  detaches 
from  the  trees  its  withered  leaves  and  bear  them  onward  and  upward 
from  our  view,  so  these  patriots  ofjhe  Revolution,  in  the  ripeness  of  age, 
exposing  their  pure  spirits  to  the  mighty  gale  and  tempest  of  joy  and 
triumph  which  fails  not  to  sweep  over  our  land  on  this  glorious  occa- 
sion, were  caught  up  by  the  powerful  breath,  and  in  this  chariot  of  Inde- 
pendence, borne  on  the  rising  columns  of  a  nation's  gratitude  and  a 
nation's  rejoicings,  were  carried  upward  and  onward,  home  to  their 
native  heaven." 

"  Education.  —  Let  the  rising  generation  receive  at  our  hands  a  good 
education,  and  then  rest  assured  that  our  free  institutions  will  be  safe 
in  their  hands,  for  a  nation  of  scholars  cannot  be  conquered  ;  they  are 
invincible." 

"Internal  Improvements. — While  we  are  constructing  railroads  and 
canals,  and  inventing  steam-carriages  to  convey  our  bodies  and  our 
goods  with  convenience  and  despatch  to  every  section  and  every  clime 
may  we  not  be  forgetful  to  construct  also  those  moral  and  intellectual 
railroads  and  engines,  whereby  our  minds  may  be  transported,  with 
swiftness  and  ease,  along  the  pathway  of  liberty,  of  science,  and  of 
virtue,  towards  the  perfection  of  freedom,  of  knowledge,  and  of  happi- 
ness." 

"The  American  Confederacy.  — A  plant  on  which  we  would  invoke 
heaven  to  continue  to  shed  down  the  combined  and  united  influences 
of  light  from  the  East,  to  awaken  and  enliven  it ;  the  heat  of  the  South, 
to  fructify  and  stimulate  it ;  the  breezes  of  the  North,  to  give  it  strength 
and  stability,  and  the  horticulture  of  the  West,  to  nourish  and  improve 
it,  —  that  it  may  continue  in  perennial  greenness  and  beauty  till  time's 
latest  hour." 

"  Domestic  Manufactures.  —  May  all  our  artists  and  mechanics  be 
protected  and  prospered,  especially  such  as  shall  convert  our  hickory 
wood  into  ramrods  and  gun-stocks,  to  be  used  against  the  savages,  now 
coming  down  upon  us  from  the  Northwest,  and  such  also  as  shall  con- 
struct our  houses  and  our  cabinets  of  bricks,  made  from  pure  Clay." 

"Charles  Carroll,  of  Carrolton.  —  The  last  remaining  star  of  that 
bright  constellation  of  patriots,  which,  fifty-six  years  ago,  this  day,  arose 
and  shed  forth,  over  this  land,  the  glorious  light  of  Liberty  and  Inde- 
pendence ;  may  his  exit  from  our  view  be  like  the  fair  setting  of  the 
summer's  sun,  late,  lingering,  brilliant,  and  peaceful." 

From  an  address  delivered  this  year  by  the  late  Hon.  Lilley  Eaton, 
before  the  South  Reading  Lyceum,  we  make  the  following  extracts  :  — 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  423 

"  Present  number  of  dwelling-houses      .         .         .163 

"  "     barns no 

"  "     horses  ' 106 

"     polls 412 

And  the  town  stands  now  in  the  State  valuation,  at  $247,084,  and  is 
iable  to  pay  of  a  State  tax,  should  one  be  assessed,  $1.48  in  very 
$1.000  assessed." 

"  The  different  parts  of  the  town,  when  spoken  of  with  reference  to 
the  residence  of  the  people,  are  known  by  the  following  terms :  '  The 
Common,'  'Fitch's  Hill,'  'Leather  Street,'  'Side  the  Pond,'  'Cowdrey's 
Hill,'  'La  Fayette  Street,'  'Eaton  Street,'  'Water  Street,'  'Little 
World,'  'West  Ward,'  '  East  Ward,'  and  '  South  Ward.'  " 

"The  village,  called  the  'Common,'  contains  about  twenty  two-story 
dwelling-houses,  all  painted,  most  of  them  large  and  convenient." 

1833.  —  Rev.  James  Huckins  was  dismissed  from  the  pastoral  charge 
of  the  Baptist  church,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Newhall  was  settled. 

In  November  of  this  year  there  occurred  a  most  remarkable,  as  well 
as  magnificent,  display  of  "shooting  stars." 

South  Reading  M.  and  A.  Institution  was  organized. 

1835.  —  December  2oth.  — The  Baptist  meeting-house  was  burnt. 

1836.  —  New  Baptist  meeting-house  erected  :   dimensions,  68  by  48 
feet,  26  feet  posts,  granite  basement.     Building  committee  :    Burrage 
Yale,  Hiram  Sweetser,  Lilley  Eaton,  Adam  Wiley,  N.  C.  Wright. 

Town  tomb  constructed  this  year. 

1837.  —  Congregational  meeting-house  remodelled. 
South  Reading  paid  its  debt.     Surplus  revenue. 

1838.  —  Crescent  Street  laid  out. 

l839-  —  First  Universalist  meeting-house  was  dedicated,  November 

2  I  St. 

ORDER  OF  EXERCISES. 

Voluntary. 

Introductory  prayer. 

Reading  of  Scriptures. 

DEDICATORY  HYMN  BY  P.  H.  SWEETSER. 
"  God  of  eternal,  boundless  love, 

To  thee  we  raise  this  house  of  prayer, 
Here  may  thy  truth  salvation  prove, 
Here  long  may  Christian  friends  repair. 


424  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

"  This  temple  now  we  consecrate 
To  thee,  the  universal  King  I 
Accept  the  tribute  —  Lord  !  we  wait 
Our  offering  at  thy  feet  to  bring. 

"  May  no  strange  sacrifice  profane 

This  sacred  altar  of  our  God,  — 
No  heathen  rite,  nor  homage  vain, 
Lead  from  the  way  the  Saviour  trod. 

"  In  solemn  prayer  and  sacred  praise, 

Our  feeble  voices  here  we  blend,  — 
Celestial  choirs  loud  anthems  raise, 
To  worship  thee,  the  sinner's  friend. 

"  Glory  to  God  !  the  angelic  song 

Inspires  our  souls  with  heavenly  love  ! 
Glory  to  God  !  the  strain  prolong 
In  lofty  notes,  like  those  above  ! 

"  Joy  to  the  world  !  light  from  on  high 

Reveals  to  earth  salvation's  plan  ! 
O  !  catch  the  anthem  from  the  sky, 
Peace  to  the  earth,  good-will  to  man  ! " 

Dedicatory  prayer. 
Original  hymn,  by  Rev.  Henry  Bacon. 

Sermon. 

Concluding  prayer. 

Original  hymn,  by  Miss  E.  T.  Barker. 

Voluntary. 

Benediction. 

Pleasant  Street  laid  out  this  year. 

Report  from  the  committee  in  favor  of  a  high  school. 

North  School  District  was  formed,  and  new  school-house  erected. 

Town  ordered  the  purchase  of  a  new  hearse. 

1840.  —  New  hearse-house  erected  this  year. 

1841.  —  Eaton  Street  was  laid  out  as  a  town  way,  two  and  a  half 
rods  wide. 

1842.  —  South  Reading  Ornamental  Tree  Society  was  organized,  by- 
laws adopted,  and  ornamental  trees  planted. 

1843.  —  Celebrated  especially  for  the  wide-spread  excitement,  con- 
nected with  a  belief  in  the  speedy  second  appearing  of  the  Son  ot 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  425 

God,  and  the  end  of  the  world,  which  prevailed  extensively  in  this  as 
well  as  many  New  England  towns  ;  a  belief  which  seemed  to  be  firmly 
and  honestly  embraced,  but  which  failed  of  realization. 

1844.  —  Work  commenced  upon  the  so-called  Boston  and  Maine 
Railroad  Extension,  between  Wilmington  and  Boston. 

This  year  completed  two  hundred  years  of  the  town's  history,  and  of 
the  church  history  of  the  First  Parish. 

At  the  Bi-Centennial  Celebration  by  the  said  parish,  the  following 
hymn  was  sung,  the  composition  of  the  late  Rev.  Reuben  Emerson :  — 

"  Two  hundred  years  have  passed  away. 
And  brought  the  Bi-Centennial  day, 

Which  now  we  celebrate. 
In  mystic  numbers  will  we  sing 
The  honors  of  our  heavenly  King, 

With  joys  divinely  great 

"  Our  fathers  occupied  the  ground, 
When  savage  natives  prowled  around, 

Tho'  harmless  they  remained ; 
God  did  their  honesty  reward, 
While,  in  his  house,  with  one  accord, 
His  worship  they  sustained. 

"  He  gave  them  pastors  as  he  chose, 
When  one  expired,  another  rose, 

And  were  with  union  blest. 
From  age  to  age  they  stood  secure 
From  inward  broils  and  foreign  lure, 
By  God's  divine  behest 

"  While  in  his  covenant  they  dwell, 
Not  all  the  powers  of  earth  and  hell 

Can  move  them  from  their  place. 
The  Lord,  who  planted  long  ago 
This  vine,  his  praises  here  to  show, 

Will  not  their  name  efface. 

"  Then  let  the  Church  his  Truth  maintain, 
His  Institutions  well  sustain, 

Their  hearts  with  Lowe  adorn  ; 
As  many  hundreds  here,  of  men, 
Have,  by  the  word,  been  born  again, 

Will  hundreds  more  be  born. 

"  May  Church  and  Parish  still  live  on, 
Till  adverse  novelties  are  gone, 
And  time  shall  be  no  more  ; 

54 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Then  rising  to  the  Church  above, 
Triumphant  in  the  Savior's  love, 
Still  live,  and  still  adore  ; 

"  Where  nothing  shall  excite  their  fears, 
Nor  joys,  by  measured  months  and  years, 

Shall  interrupted  be ; 
Their  praises,  in  harmonic  song, 
With  well-tuned  voices  shall  prolong, 
To  all  eternity. 

"  Then  let  our  grateful  hearts  repeat, 
When  coming  to  the  mercy-seat, 

His  mystery  of  love  ; 
That  when  our  days  on  earth  shall  end, 
On  seraph's  wings  we  may  ascend, 
And  live  and  reign  above ! " 

In  the  first  part  of  the  month  of  December,  1843,  the  primary  step 
towards  celebrating  the  anniversary  of  the  incorporation  of  Old  Read- 
ing was  taken  by  issuing  a  call  for  a  public  meeting  at  Reading. 

The  subsequent  result  of  a  conference  with  the  citizens  of  South 
Reading,  was  the  appointment  of  a  joint  committee  of  the  two  towns, 
for  the  purpose  of  making  the  necessary  preliminary  arrangements  for 
the  proposed  celebration.  „ 

January  8th.  —  At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Reading  and  South 
Reading,  convened  at  Union  Hall,  in  the  South  Parish  of  said  Read- 
ing, it  was 

Voted^  "That  the  towns  of  Reading  and  South  Reading  unite  in 
celebrating  said  anniversary,  in  or  near  the  village  of  the  South  Parish, 
in  Reading,  on  Wednesday,  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1844." 

The  following  persons  constituted  the  committee  of  arrangements  :  — 

Capt.  Ebenezer  D.  Batchelder,  Thaddeus  B.  Pratt,  Esq.,  Thomas 
Pratt,  Dea.  Eben  Eaton,  George  Flint,  Esq.,  Dea.  Eliab  Parker,  Jr., 
Thomas  Sweetser,  John  Adden,  Jr.,  Charles  Newman,  Col.  Jacob  S. 
Rayner,  Charles  F.  Flint,  Amos  Batcheider,  J.  B.  Leathe,  Maj.  Oliver 
Swain,  Dr.  Solon  O.  Richardson,  Benjamin  B.  Wiley,  Esq.,  Capt.  Aaron 
Foster,  James  Eustis,  James  Emerson,  John  White,  Franklin  Poole, 
Dea.  Caleb  Wakefield,  Dr.  Thaddeus  Spaulding,  Daniel  Pratt,  Jr., 
Samuel  Gardner,  Jr.,  Lilley  Eaton,  Esq.,  Dea.  Addison  Flint. 

NOTE.  —  Capt.  Thomas  Emerson  was  afterwards  elected  a  member  to  fill  the 
vacancy  occasioned  by  the  decease  of  Dr.'T.  Spaulding,  who  died  while  the  prepara- 
tions for  the  festival  were  in  progress. 


OF   THE    TOWN  Of   READING. 


A     POEM, 


427 


DELIVERED   AT   THE 


READING  BI-CENTENNIAL   CELEBRATION, 

MAY  29,  1844, 

BY  LILLBY  EATON,  OF  SOUTH  READING. 


"  Of  all  the  nations,  far  or  near, 
I  count  my  native  land  most  dear; 
Of  all  the  cities,  east  or  west, 
"     I  love  my  native  town  the  best." 

AND  when  I  heard  of  your  command, 
That  I  should  sing  this  glorious  land, 
And  celebrate,  on  this  great  day, 
With  poetry's  inspiring  lay, 
The  deeds  antique,  each  worthy  name 
Of  ancient  and  centennial  fame  ; 
Should  brush  the  cobwebs  and  the  dust 
From  the  fair  records  of  the  past, 
Hunt  up  the  ancient  settler's  staffi 
And  sing  the  old,  quaint  epitaph  ; 
Should  cull  the  flowers  that  still  unroll 
About  the  ancient  cellar  hole, 
Wasting  upon  the  desert  air 
Their  beauty  and  their  fragrance  there  ; 
Rehearse  the  progress  of  that  race, 
Who  first  made  this  their  dwelling-place, 
Drove  out  the  savage,  wolf,  and  bear, 
And  made  the  forest  to  retire  ; 
Who  scattered  fruits  and  flowers  abroad, 
Who  raised  the  temple  to  their  God, 
And  made  this  western  wilderness 
A  pleasant,  quiet  resting-place ; 
My  heart  beat  high  with  honest  pride, 
That  you  should  thus  in  me  confide  ; 
That  I  should  have  the  noble  trust, 
To  celebrate  the  sacred  dust 
Of  those  who  liv'd,  and  toil'd,  and  died, 
Where  we,  their  children,  now  reside. 


428  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Rapt  with  the  thoughts  of  my  great  charge, 
Fancy  within  began  t'  enlarge 
Imagination's  kindling  fire, 
My  willing  soul  with  zeal  to  inspire  ; 
With  haste  I  hied  me  to  the  place 
The  Muses  with  their  presence  grace  ; 
Inhal'd  Parnassian  breezes  there, 
And  sought  to  catch  poetic  fire. 
Before  Apollo's  shrine  I  knelt, 
Pour'd  forth  the  longings  that  I  felt, 
My  ofTrings  on  his  altar  laid, 
And  to  the  oracle  thus  pray'd  : 
"  Give  me  old  Hercules,  his  zeal 
And  strength,  to  roll  old  Time's  great  whee 
Back  on  the  ages  of  the  past, 
And  turn  up  centuries,  at  least ; 
Give  me  the  winged  horse,  whereon, 
O'er  the  long  track  of  times  by-gone, 
High-mounted,  I  may  ride  and  see 
The  wonders  of  antiquity  ; 
Give  me  Briarean  hands,  and  skill 
T'  employ  them  all,  with  ready  will ; 
To  dig,  mid  dust  of  years  gone  o'er, 
For  ancient,  curious,  valued  lore  ; 
To  chisel  new  upon  the  stones, 
Which  tell  where  rest  our  fathers'  bones, 
The  odd  inscriptions  wrote  thereon, 
The  old  death's  head,  the  angel's  horn,  — 
And  O,  that  I  possess'd,  beside, 
Old  'Zekiel's  power,  who  prophesied  ; 
That' I  might  call  the  slumbering  dead 
To  rise  from  their  long,  darksome  bed ; 
And  live  again,  a  mighty  host, 
To  grace  this  our  centennial  feast. 
Give  me,  at  least,  to  ascend  thy  seat, 
And,  standing  humbly  at  thy  feet, 
Show  me  old  Time's  perspective  glass, 
Make  pristine  years  before  it  pass, 
That  I  may  see,  and  learn  and  tell 
What  wonders  our  old  sires  befell," 

Apollo  smil'd,  and  struck  his  lyre, — 
Bright  sparkled  forth  poetic  fire  ; 
Sweet  "  music  of  the  spheres  "  I  heard, 
And  soon  I  caught  this  gracious  word  :  — 
"  Enter  my  courts  ;  to  you  the  old 
Historic  page  I  will  unfold  :  — 
Your  native  land,  your  ancient  sires, 
To  gratify  your  warm  desires, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 

I  '11  bring  before  your  wond'ring  view, 
As  they  appear'd  long  time  ago. 
Four  different  views,  each  different  stage, 
As  Reading  look'd  from  age  to  age, 
I  '11  draw  from  th'  old  ancestral  halls, 
Where  now  they  grace  the  dusty  walls. 
Select  the  years  that  best  will  please  you, 
I  '11  spread  them  on  a  map  before  you." 
I  thank'd  the  oracle  divine 
For  words  so  gracious  and  benign  ; 
"  Give  me.  for  picture  number  one, 
The  year  our  township  first  begun  ; 
Then  number  two,  and  three  zndfour, 
As  each  half  century  circled  o'er." 

\Vithin  a  temple,  large  and  high, 
Where  stores  of  antique  science  lie, 
Within  a  dark  recess,  I  found 
Th'  historic  priestess  of  the  ground, 
With  magic  lantern  in  her  hand, 
Of  compound  lens  and  flaming  brand; 
And  on  th'  illumined  plane  she  threw 
A  diagram  of  brilliant  hue, 
Whereon,  the  face  old  Reading  wore 
In  sixteen  hundred  forty-four. 

I  scann'd  the  picture  thus  unroll'd, 
To  learn  the  story  that  it  told,  — 
Fair,  lovely  lakes,  with  sparkling  wave, 
Where  fowls,  unscar'd,  their  plumage  lave  ; 
The  flowing,  rolling,  pleasant  river, 
All  look'd  as  now,  and  will  forever ; 
But  all  the  balance  of  the  map 
Show'd  nature  in  its  wildest  shape. 
A  forest  deep,  scarce  yet  explor'd, 
Where  savage  beasts  both  roam'd  and  roar'd, 
Where  bears  ferocious  boldly  prowl'd, 
And  wolves  and  wild-cats  nightly  howl'd. 
But  in  the  Southern  part  I  see 
The  rising  smoke  curl  light  and  free, 
Floating  above  the  lofty  trees, 
Borne  upward  by  the  rising  breeze  ; 
A  closer  look  shows  here  and  there, 
Half  hid  by  branches  stretching  o'er, 
The  settler's  cottage,  rude  and  small, 
Its  roof  of  thatch,  of  logs  its  wall ; 
On  either  side  attach'd  thereto, 
The  barn  appears,  and  hog-sty  too  ; 


429 


430 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

In  front,  the  children  and  the  pig 
Together  play,  and  run,  and  dig ; 
Within,  the  sober  matrons  sit, 
And  spin,  and  weave,  and  sew,  and  knit ; 
Without,  the  lowing,  bleating  herd 
Browse  up  such  food  as  woods  afford  ; 
And,  clearing  up  the  fertile  tracts, 
The  sturdy  settler  swings  his  axe  ; 
With  homespun  breeches,  buckled  tight, 
With  hempen  frock,  and  cock'd  up  hat, 
With  leather  apron,  tied  before, 
And  shoes  with  bearskin  cover'd  o'er ; 
His  loaded  gun  stands  resting  near, 
To  shoot,  if  need  be,  wolf  or  bear. 

I  ask'd  the  dame,  who  thus  unroll'd 
This  ancient  map  of  Reading  old, 
To  write,  above  each  cottage  door, 
The  name  its  ancient  owner  wore  ; 
And,  lo  !  forthwith,  each  worthy  name 
Shone  clearly  on  this  roll  of  fame. 

And  first  I  saw  upon  the  spot,  — 
Where  now,  in  place  of  lowly  cot, 
A  spacious  house  stands  high  and  proudly,  — 
The  old  log  hut  of  Deacon  Cowdrey ; 
Where  now  resides  the  oldest  man 
At  present  living  in  the  town  ; 
An  odd,  eccentric  sort  of  creature, 
Who 's  always  call'd  old  Grandsir  Sweetser  ; 
A  man  who 's  had  the  fortune  rare 
To  vote  at  an  "  Election  Fair," 
To  the  surprise  of  every  one, 
With  son,  grandson,  and  great-grandson  ! 
This  ancient  deacon,  that  I  nam'd, 
Was  long  in  this  old  township  fam'd  ; 
Was  selectman  and  public  clerk, 
The  man  to  do  the  penman's  work  ; 
And  all  these  trusts,  as  it  appears, 
Discharg'd  for  more  than  forty  years. 

I  farther  look'd ;  and  on  the  hill, 
Where  now  the  heirs  of  John  Gould  dwell, 
Upon  the  western  slope  or  pitch, 
There  liv'd  old  Zachariah  Fitch  ; 
His  name  he  gave  to  hill  and  lane, 
A  name  they  both  as  yet  retain  ; 
'T  was  said,  "  so  narrow  was  that  street, 
That  loaded  teams  could  not  there  meet!'1'' 
This  Goodman  Fitch  was  deacon  too, 
And  I  have  heard  the  story  true, 


OJ-    THE    TOWN  Of  READING. 

That  when  his  neighbors  were  attack'd, 

As  with  first  settlers  is  the  fact, 

With  chills  and  heat,  with  cold  and  shiver, 

Sure  consequence  of  aguean  fever, 

And  so  desisted  from  their  labors, 

And  crawled  about  among  their  neighbors, 

Old  Father  Fitch  would  laugh  to  scorn 

Their  shiv'ring  pains  and  looks  forlorn, 

Would  call  them  lazy,  'fraid  of  work, 

And  thus  crack  on  the  cruel  joke  ; 

But  soon  it  happen'd,  we  are  told, 

The  aguean  fever,  and  the  cold, 

Seiz'd  Mister  Fitch,  to  his  great  grief, 

And  set  him  shiv'ring  like  a  leaf. 

His  neighbors  then,  with  roguish  haste, 

Came  to  console  their  friend's  distress  : 

"  O,  Deacon  Fitch  !  you  lazy,  too  ! 

Come,  go  to  work,  we  '11  venture  you  !  " 

"  Ah,"  cried  old  Zachery,  with  a  sigh, 

"You  were  not  half  so  sick  as  I." 

I  farther  search'd ;  and  on  the  plains, 
Where  now  James  Emerson  remains, 
There  liv'd,  untouch'd  by  breath  of  scandal, 
Good  Deacon  Sergeant  Thomas  Kendall, 
And  on  his  tombstone  you  may  see, 
Inscrib'd  in  ancient  poetry  :  — 
•'  Here  in  the  earth  we  lay, 
One  of  the  seven  of  this  church's  foundation  ; 
So  to  remain  till  the  powerful  voice  say, 
Rise  in  health,  a  glorious  habitation  ; 
A  pattern  of  piety  and  of  peace, 
But  now,  alas,  how  short  his  race  ! 
Here  we  mourn,  and  mourn  we  must,    • 
To  see  Zion's  stones  like  gold  laid  in  the  dust.' 
His  wife  outliv'd  for  many  years 
The  partner  of  her  youthful  days, 
Was  fam'd  through  all  the  region  round, 
As  the  best  nurse  that  could  be  found  ; 
She  had  ten  daughters,  and  each  one, 
When  married,  christen'd  her  first  son 
Kendall,  and  thus  we  may  infer 
Why  't  is  these  names  so  oft  occur. 
This  ancient  mother  lived  to  see 
Nine  scores  of  her  posterity, 
Enjoy'd  the  power,  before  she  died, 
Of  saying  what 's  to  most  denied  : — 
"  Rise,  daughter,  to  thy  daughter  run, 
Thy  daughter's  daughter  has  a  son." 


43> 


432 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

A  relic  of  this  famous  nurse 

Has  been  preserv'd  and  shown  to  us  ; 

Excuse  me,  ladies,  when  I  tell  ic, 

I  've  got  old  mother  Kendall's  skillet ! 

And  here  it  is,  the  identic  pot 

She  used  for  puddings,  and  what  not !  * 

Again  th;  diagram  I  scann'd  ; 
And  near  the  place,  where  now  there  stand 
The  buildings  own'd  by  Major  Winn, 
Old  Richard  Walker's  house  was  seen  ; 
Of  Reading  train-band  he  was  first 
Who  held  the  Captain's  lofty  trust ; 
A  man  of  faith  and  courage  great, 
To  fight  the  battles  of  the  State  ; 
And  thus  we  find,  that  with  his  men, 
He  went  to  Saugus,  now  called  Lynn, 
And  fought  the  eastern  Indians  there, 
"  Whose  poison'd  arrows  fill'd  the  air  ; 
And  two  of  which,  these  savage  foes 
Lodg'd  safely  in  old  Walker's  —  clothes  " 
But  when  the  order  went  about 
To  let  the  great  guns  thunder  out, 
Old  Johnson  t  says,  "  their  mighty  shocks, 
Their  rattling  echoes  'mong  the  rocks, 
So  scar'd  these  Indians  with  the  sound, 
That,  with  all  haste,  they  quit  the  ground  ; 
And,  like  the  ancient  Syrian  host, 
In  great  dismay  they  fled  the  coast." 

And  on  the  same  identic  land, 
Where  Smith,  the  Deacon,  lately  own'd, 
Old  Richard  Nichols  did  reside, 
There  liv'd  and  labor'd,  pray'd  and  died. 

Giving  the  map  another  look, 
On  Cowdrey's  hill,  near  Bare- Hill  Brook, 
I  find  the  now  forsaken  spot 
Where  Jonas  Eaton  rear'd  his  cot ; 
The  unfill'd  cellar,  swarded  o'er, 
The  fruit-trees  shading  it  before, 
Some  scattering  roses,  ling'ring  round, 
On  this  deserted,  ancient  ground, 
Alone  remain,  the  fact  to  tell, 
Where  this  old  settler  once  did  dwell. 


*  An  iron  kettle,  actually  owned  by  Dea.  Thomas  Kendall,  two  centuries  ago,  used  for  making  hasty 
puddings,  frequently  loaned  to  the  Indians,  and  known  as  Mother  Kendall's  skillet,  was  here  shown  to 
the  audience. 

t  See  Johnson's  Wonder-working  Providence  of  Zion's  Saviour  in  New  England. 


OP    THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  433 

Old  Eaton,  as  the  record  says, 

Was  selectman  in  former  days, 

Was  farmer  too  —  and  if  he  fail'd 

To  make  the  land  a  product  yield, 

No  want  of  crops  was  found  inside, 

The  children  grew  and  multiplied. 

And  like  their  ancient  namesake,  who 

The  old  sirname  of  Eaton  drew 

Upon  himself,  because,  by  day  or  night, 

He  would  indulge  his  appetite, 

So  they  great  eaters  too  became, 

And  ate  them  out  of  house  and  home, 

And  scattering  from  the  homestead  round, 

You  '11  find  them  now  all  o'er  the  town  ; 

And  as  those  plants  will  thrive  the  best, 

That,  after  all,  are  worth  the  least, 

So  this  old  race  have  long  been  spreading 

O'er  ev'ry  part  of  ancient  Reading. 

Concerning  one  of  this  old  race, 
A  wondrous  tale  I  must  rehearse  : 
Some  seventy  years  ago,  or  more, 
He  died,  his  Christian  name  was  Noah  ; 
He  liv'd  in  that  old  honor'd  mansion, 
That  Deacon  Jacob  owns,  his  grandson ; 
Another  house  was  standing  near, 
Where  now  the  Spaulding  buildings  are. 
'T  was  owned  by  Ephraim  Weston's  heirs, 
The  Weston  homestead,  it  appears ; 
This  house  was  haunted,  it  was  said, 
And  fearful  noises  there  were  heard  : 
The  startling  raps,  by  hands  unknown, 
The  child-like  cries,  the  horrid  groan, 
The  doors  self-open'd,  and  the  chairs, 
Unaided,  rocking  on  the  floors, 
Till  soon  the  house  deserted  stands, 
Fear'd  and  avoided  on  all  hands. 
About  this  time  old  Noah  died, 
Was  gather'd  to  his  fathers'  side  ; 
And  on  one  dark  and  dismal  night, 
When  moon  and  stars  were  hid  from  sight, 
The  old  town-clock  had  toll'd  the  hour 
Of  midnight,  some  two  hours  before, 
One  Thomas  Richardson  was  found 
Within  the  old  town  burial-ground, 
Walking  along  among  the  graves, 
Near  where  the  lakelet  spends  its  waves  ; 
With  gun  and  game-bag,  pouch  and  horn, 
And  other  traps  to  hunters  known, 

55 


434  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Was  trudging  on  to  try  his  luck, 
In  sitting  for  the  untam'd  duck,  — 
When,  suddenly,  a  mighty  sound 
Came  rushing  fearful  all  around  ; 
It  seem'd  as  if  the  earth  and  heaven 
Were  to  one  great  concussion  driven  ; 
A  light  unearthly  glimmers  round ! 
A  form  starts  rising  from  the  ground  ! 
With  face  all  ghastly,  pale  and  white, 
And  body  wrapp'd  in  winding-sheet ! 
The  spirit  shakes  his  palsied  hand, 
And  bids  the  fright'ned  hunter  stand  ! 
Who  quakes  through  ev'ry  joint  and  pore, 
As  he  beholds  old  father  Noah  ! 
His  hair  erect  stands  stiff  and  straight, 
His  heart  with  rapid  thumpings  beat ; 
He,  trembling,  calls  on  Heaven  to  save, 
And  hears  a  message  from  the  grave ; 
Agrees  t'  obey  the  dead  man's  prayer 
Who  straightway  vanish'd  into  air. 
The  nature  of  this  ghostly  prayer 
Old  Thomas  would  not  e'er  declare, 
Except  that  noises,  heard  before, 
Would  'larm  the  haunted  house  no  more. 

About  one  other  of  this  race, 
A  legend  here  must  have  a  place  : 
Of  one,  whose  house  stood  on  those  stones, 
Where  now  John  Pope,  the  deacon,  owns ; 
One  'Thaniel  Eaton,  I've  been  told, 
Deep-blinded  by  the  love  of  gold,  — 
That  cursed  love  which  works  all  evil, 
And  makes  men  act  just  like  the  devil,  — 
'T  was  when  our  fathers  sought  applause 
In  the  old  French  and  Indian  wars, 
Once  saw,  within  his  quiet  home, 
A  stranger,  pale  and  trembling,  come ; 
A  man,  impress'd  perhaps  to  go, 
Against  his  will,  to  fight  the  foe, 
Had  now  deserted  from  his  post, 
And  sought  to  gain  his  freedom  lost ; 
He  to  this  ancestor  appeal'd, 
Implor'd  to  be  awhile  conceal'd, 
Until  the  ardor  of  pursuit 
Should  rise,  pass  over,  and  abate ; 
Nathaniel  promis'd  he  would  give 
Asylum  to  the  fugitive  ; 
And,  hunting  up  a  sly  retreat, 
This  poor  deserter  did  secrete. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  435 

But  when  soon  after  it  was  told, 

That  a  reward  in  shining  gold 

Would  be  paid  over  to  the  man. 

Who  this  deserter  should  return, 

Old  Eaton's  charity  gave  way, 

And  sordid  mammon  took  the  sway ; 

He  seiz'd  his  lodger,  bound  him  tight, 

And  back  to  camp  he  bore  him  straight, 

Receiv'd  the  bribe  his  baseness  earn'd, 

And  on  his  journey  home  return'd  ; 

But  ere  he  quite  had  left  the  ground, 

He  thought  he  would  just  look  around, — 

O  !  dreadful  sight !  the  man  he  bare 

Already  hanging  in  the  air  ! 

'T  is  said,  that  while  upon  their  way 

Back  to  the  camp  the  man  did  pray, 

"That  Heaven  its  direst  curse  would  send 

On  him,  who  thus  betray'd  his  friend ; " 

Fear  seiz'd  the  traitor,  inward  dread, 

The  dead  man's  curse  was  on  his  head  ; 

He  found  no  peace  where'er  he  went, 

His  days  in  misery  were  spent, 

Till,  Judas-like,  he  quit  his  pelf, 

And  straightway  went  and  hung  himself. 

And  some  there  are,  think  they  can  trace, 

Through  four  successions  of  his  race, 

The  consequences  of  that  curse, 

Pronounced  upon  old  Eaton's  house. 

One  story  more,  and  I  '11  let  be 
The  ashes  of  this  family : 
Of  Reuben  Eaton,  I  must  quote 
One  entertaining  anecdote  : 
He  liv'd  within  those  cottage  walls, 
Where  Adam  Hawkes  the  senior  dwells; 
A  place  that  once  was  occupied 
By  Felches,  who  remov'd  or  died, 
And  since  by  Pomp,  a  man  of  color. 
Than  whom,  ne'er  liv'd  a  better  fellow. 
'T  was  when  the  tocsin,  loud  and  shrill, 
Thundering  along,  o'er  dale  and  hill, 
Among  our  valiant  sires  arrive, 
In  se'enteen  hundred  se'enty-five  ; 
And  while  his  neighbors,  bustling  round, 
Caught  up  such  arms  as  first  they  found, 
And  hurried  off  upon  the  run, 
Our  hero  coolly  took  his  gun 
And  wash'd  it  out,  new  flint  put  on, 
Replenish'd  his  old  powder-horn, 


436  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

His  bullet-pouch  he  well  supplied, 

And  ev'ry  preparation  made  ; 

With  rapid  steps  he  then  mov'd  on 

Along  the  road  to  Lexington. 

He  met  the  foe  on  their  return 

From  Concord,  routed,  tir'd,  and  worn  ; 

Forthwith  he  joined  th'  exciting  chase, 

And  choosing  some  sly  hiding-place, 

Along  the  road,  somewhat  ahead, 

On  which  the  flying  British  sped, 

Behind  a  house,  a  tree  or  wall, 

He  there  let  fly  th'  unerring  ball ; 

And  as  he  said,  when  thereof  speaking, 

;"  He  did  enjoy  most  glorious  picking  ;" 

But  staying  longer  than  he  ought, 

To  give  another,  one  more  shot, 

The  flanking  guard,  with  rapid  march, 

For  secret  shooters  making  search, 

Surpris'd  our  hero  at  his  post, 

And,  hasting,  captur'd  him — almost  — 

But  our  brave  friend  had  no  desire, 

The  foeman's  galling  chain  to  wear, 

So,  starting  from  the  scene  of  strife, 

He  "put  her  through"  as  for  dear  life ; 

The  British  shot  came  whizzing  on, 

To  bring  this  saucy  rebel  down, 

But  he  the  flash  perceives  and  falls, 

And  o'er  him  pass  the  harmless  balls ; 

Then  springing  up,  he  onward  runs,  — 

Again  crack  off  the  British  guns  — 

Again  he  drops  upon  his  face, 

Unhurt  amid  the  dang'rous  chase  ! 

The  foe,  supposing  they  had  slain 

The  man,  march'd  on,  and  he  again 

Sprang  to  his  feet  and  thus  got  clear, 

But  not  until  he  heard  them  swear, 

"That  twice  they  'd  pierc'd  that  Yankee's  liver, 

But  still  he  'd  run  as  fast  as  ever." 

And  near  old  Jonas  Eaton's  ground, 
I  trace  the  spot,  where  once  was  found 
John  Damon's  ancient  domicil, 
A  man  of  note  and  pious  will ; 
Was  Selectman  for  many  years, 
Honest  and  faithful,  it  appears  ; 
Samuel,  his  son,  as  I  've  heard  say, 
When  he  was  feeble,  old  and  gray, 
While  riding  'long,  'side  Reading  pond, 
Near  where  A.  Foster's  house  is  found, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  43,7 

His  aged  wife  behind  him  sat, 

When  by  a  sudden,  hasty  fright, 

They  both  were  thrown  from  off  their  horse, 

And  aged  Samuel  found  a  corse. 

A  son  of  Samuel,  John  by  name, 

Who,  to  this  western  parish  came,* 

Built  yonder  ancient  Damon  mansion, 

Now  occupied  by  his  great-grandson  ; 

A  relic  of  the  first  nam'd  John 

Has  been  preserv'd  and  handed  down. 

It  shows  us  how,  in  pristine  days, 

Our  early  settlers  ground  their  maize, 

While  yet  the  corn-mill,  with  its  wheel, 

Did  not  exist  to  give  them  meal ; 

Their  mills  were  work'd,  unhelp'd  by  water, 

Here  's  Father  John's,  a  horn-bean  mortar. 

In  which  he  bruised  his  corn  and  rye, 

To  make  his  samp  and  hominy,  t 

Again  I  scann'd  the  diagram, 
And  soon  espied  the  ancient  home 
Of  old  Frank  Smith,  of  whom  't  is  said, 
For  jack-knife  new,  with  double  blade, 
He  did  induce  an  Indian  chief 
To  make  conveyance  of  the  fief 
Of  large  and  valued  tracts  of  land 
Into  his  own  soil-grasping  hand. 
They  lay  around  that  little  lake, 
That  now  the  name,  "  Smith's  Pond,"  doth  take  ; 
His  house,  which  now  remaineth  not, 
Was  situated  near  the  spot 
Where  liv'd  and  died  old  Doctor  Hart, 
A  man  well  skill'd  in  Galen's  art ; 
Who,  in  that  dark  and  trying  hour, 
When  we  defied  old  Britain's  power, 
Among  the  first  was  found  to  go 
And  risk  his  life  to  meet  the  foe. 
A  son  of  Francis,  Ben  by  name, 
First  rais'd  that  apple,  known  to  fame, 
So  juicy,  rich,  of  flavor  fine, 
That  still  for  him  is  called  "  the  Ben." 
Ben  married  for  his  youthful  wife, 
To  be  the  partner  of  his  life, 
Old  Peter  Palfrey's  daughter  bland,  J 
Who  planted,  on  her  husband's  land, 

*  The  celebration  was  held  at  the  (Vest  Parish  of  "  Reading." 

t  A  veritable  horn-bean  mortar,  two  hundred  years  old,  the  property  and  workmanship  of  John 
Damon,  a  first  settler,  was  here  shown  to  the  audience. 

t  Peter  Palfrey  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Salem,  and  removed  to  Reading,  where  he  died,  in 
1663  —  his  descendants  remain  at  Salem. 


438  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

A  little  tree,  its  fruit  the  same 
They  call'd  Jeho'den,  her  Christian  name, 
And  e'en  till  now  you  still  may  see 
The  old  Jeho'den  apple-tree. 

A  little  south  of  Smith's  was  seen 
The  ancient  seat  of  Major  Green. 
Down  in  that  portion  of  the  town, 
Where  Charles  and  Nathan  live,  and  Brown ; 
Two  special  traits  appear'd'to  be 
Peculiar  to  this  family ; 
Theyfrj/,  a  strong  desire  to  gain 
Broad  acres  of  the  hill  and  plain, 
A  heart-case  purse,  well  fill'd  and  lin'd 
With  gold  and  silver  well  refin'd  ; 
And  some  are  present  here,  who  've  seen 
That  curious  miser,  Nathan  Green, 
Who  liv'd  a  bach'lor's  lonely  life, 
To  shun  th'  expenses  of  a  wife ; 
Who  "  would  not  give  one  whole  hen's  egg 
To  cure  the  dropsy  in  his  leg  " ; 
Who  hoarded  thousands  in  the  funds, 
And  said,  for  so  tradition  runs, 
"  If  those,  to  whom  my  funds  descend, 
Take  half  the  bliss  my  cash  to  spend, 
That  I  've  enjoy'd  in  its  pursuit, 
Why  then  forsooth  they  're  welcome  to  "t." 

Another  feature  of  this  race, 
That  time  does  scarcely  yet  efface, 
Was  this  :  to  give  their  whole  estate 
Unto  their  sons,  however  great ; 
While  daughters  had  no  cash  or  house 
To  buy  a  living,  or  a  spouse. 
These  ancient  people  us'd  to  wear 
A  wig  of  artificial  hair,  — 
Here  's  one  old  Thomas  Greene  once  wore,* 
Who  own'd  the  mill  in  days  of  yore, 
And  who  to  customers  would  say  : 
"  I'1  II  promise  you,  no  grist  to-day." 

Another  view  the  map  unroll'd, 
And  show'd  what 's  now  call'd  "  Little  World  " ; 
Where  once  an  iron  furnace  stood, 
That  made  the  castings  strong  and  good ; 
And  where  John  Wiley's  house  appears, 
Its  humble,  clay-built  wall  uprears  ; 

*  Old  Thomas  Greene's  wig  was  here  exhibited. 


OF  THE    TOWN-  OF  READING. 

'T  was  situated  near  the  ground, 
Where  Ellis  Wiley  now  is  found, 
And  occupied  those  ancient  lands, 
That  in  his  children's  children's  hands, 
Have  now  two  hundred  years  been  seen, — 
The  instance  sole,  'cept  Major  Green, 
Excepting  also  one  more  case, 
Namely,  old  Thomas  Hartshorn's  place, 
Where  his  descendants  still  abide, 
And  Joseph  Hartshorn  does  reside. 
From  father  John  a  num'rous  race 
Have  spread  about  from  place  to  place. 
And  for  one  trait  that  must  be  nam'd, 
This  family  has  long  been  fam'd  : 
Music,  the  fair  and  heavenly  maid, 
Inspiring  song  and  serenade, 
Breathing,  within  her  vot'ries'  ear, 
Sounds  sweet,  harmonious,  and  clear, 
Has  long  made  members  of  this  race 
The  chosen  objects  of  her  grace  ; 
And  even  now  you  still  may  see 
Sweet  singers  in  this  family. 

Recurring  to  another  part 
Of  this  old  entertaining  chart, 
I  see,  upon  the  self-same  ground 
Where  Abra'm  Emerson  is  found, 
Josiah  Dustin's  cottage  door, 
In  which  there  liv'd.  in  days  of  yore, 
Two  daughters  of  this  same  Josiah, 
Who  caught  fierce  witchcraft's  raging  fire, — 
That  horrid  madness  they  were  curs'd  in, 
Their  names  were  "  Sal  "  and  "  Lydia  Dustin  "  ; 
The  people  thought  that  they  possess'd 
The  devil's  power  within  their  breast, 
And  could  infernal  shapes  assume, 
Could  ride  on  rails  or  on  a  broom, 
And  send  all  sorts  of  woe  and  pain, 
To  seize  the  maiden  and  the  swain  ; 
*  At  length,  howe'er,  the  magistrate 
These  girls  arrested  for  the  State, 
Imprison'd  them  in  Boston  jail, 
Where  they  their  misery  bewail  ; 
New  light  at  last  the  jury  reaches, 
And  they  acquit  these  harmless  witches. 

A  little  farther  north,  appear'd 
The  house  John"  Batchelder  first  rear'd  ; 
It  stood  upon  that  pleasant  site 
Since  own'd  by  Evans,  now  by  White. 


439 


440  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

At  my  old  map  I  look'd  again, 
And  found  the  house  of  Major  Swayne  ; 
'T  was  situated  near  the  ground 
Where  Stowell,  Issachar,  is  found. 
This  Major  Swayne,  the  records  say, 
Was  a  great  warrior  in  his  day, 
And  in  our  ancient  Indian  wars, 
A  victor  chief,  beloved  of  Mars  ; 
And  when  King  Philip  with  his  troop, 
With  tomahawk  and  dread  war-whoop, 
With  poison'd  arrows  and  fire-brand, 
Bore  down  upon  the  pilgrim  land, 
Old  Major  Swayne,  with  courage  true, 
Forth  to  the  post  of  danger  flew, 
Was  made  commander  of  the  free, 
And  led  them  on  to  victory. 
And  once,  't  is  said,  it  so  fell  out, 
While  Major  Swayne  was  on  a  scout, 
Exploring  swamps  and  other  by -land, 
Within  the  State  of  old  Rhode  Island, 
He  found  the  Indians,  whom  he  sought, 
Gathered  in  force,  within  a  fort. 
Our  hero's  numbers  being  few, 
He  wish'd  to  hide  them  from  their  view, 
So  lurking  near  their  palisade, 
Conceal'd  them  there  in  ambuscade  ; 
Then,  bold  as  e'er  a  lion  was, 
His  glitt'ring  steel  the  Major  draws, 
And,  mounting  on  a  rising  stone, 
He  cries,  in  loud,  undaunted  tone  : 
"  We  've  found  the  foe,  let 's  storm  the  fort, 
To  drive  them  thence  will  be  but  sport  : 
Come,  Captain  Poole,  and  Sargent  Brown, 
Wheel  up  your  squadrons  into  line." 
The  Indians  heard  this  fearless  boast, 
And  thought  there  came  a  mighty  host : 
With  terror  struck,  and  wild  dismay, 
They  quit  the  fort  and  ran  away  ; 
Our  little  band  with  triumph  then 
Into  the  empty  fortress  ran, 
Unfurl'd  the  flag  of  liberty, 
And  gain'd  a  bloodless  victory. 

A  little  farther  east,  I  found 
The  mansion  of  old  Nich'las  Brown. 
The  same  old  house,  for  aught  I  know, 
That  still  is  standing  down  there  .now. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 

A  son  of  Nich'las,  John  by  name, 
In  ancient  days,  was  known  to  fame, 
Was  Captain,  Squire,  and  Selectman, 
And  liv'd  on  Aaron  Foster's  land  ; 
He  married  for  his  second  wife, 
To  comfort  his  declining  life, 
The  widow  Joseph  Emerson, 
Whose  husband  preach'd  in  Mendon  town  ; 
A  son  of  hers,  whose  name  was  Peter, 
Married  the  Captain's  only  daughter,  — 
Another  son  was  Ebenezer, 
Who  married  one  Bethiah  Parker ; 
And  thus  was  settled  in  the  place 
The  Emerson's  most  num'rous  race. 

Another  of  old  Brown's  descent, 
To  fight  the  French  and  Indians  went ; 
Thomas,*  his  name ;  while  on  a  drive, 
In  sev'nteen  hundred  fifty-five, 
To  hunt  the  Indians  at  New  York, 
And  stop  their  big  and  boasting  talk, 
Was,  with  his  party,  there  surprised, 
And  by  that  ruthless  foe  was  seiz'd, 
Stript  of  his  hat,  and  coat,  and  vest, 
And  sent  to  grace  the  victors'  feast ;  — 
But  Thomas  had  a  nimble  foot, 
As  ever  stepped  in  shoe  or  boot ; 
Desiring,  too,  to  live  and  balk 
The  scalping-knife  and  tomahawk, 
While  through  the  forest  he  was  led, 
Escap'd  their  hands,  and  homeward  fled ; 
And,  leaping  like  a  flying  deer, 
Outrun  the  foe,  and  thus  got  clear ; 
And  when  he  reach'd  old  Reading  town, 
Hatless  and  coatless,  tir'd  and  worn, 
His  friends  laugh'd  out  to  see  the  plight, 
In  which  he  'd  'scap'd  the  Indian  fight ; 
But  Tom  assures  them,  though  they  titter, 
"  To  run  for  life 's  no  laughing  matter." 

Tom's  younger  brother,  Sam  by  name, 
Enjoy'd  the  high  and  glorious  fame, 
His  blood  for  liberty  to  spill 
At  that  great  battle,  Bunker  Hill ; 
Of  wounds  he  there  received  he  died, 
His  country's  honor  and  her  pride. 


441 


*  This  Thomas  Brown,  who  was  born  in  1738,  was  the  son  of  Jeremiah,  who  was  the  son  of  Samuel, 
who  was  the  son  of  Nicholas,  who  was  the  son  of  Cornelius,  who  was  the  son  of  Nicholas,  the  first 
settler. 

56 


442 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Another  of  old  Nich'las'  race 
Was  once  illustrious  in  the  place  ; 
He  liv'd  where  Cutler's  buildings  are. 
His  name  was  General  Brown,  Esquire  ; 
And,  in  our  old  colonial  war, 
He  shone  a  bright  and  martial  star  ; 
He  fought  the  foe  at  Saratog*, 
Crown  Point,  and  at  Ticonderog'. 

At  my  old  map  again  a  seeker, 
I  find  the  house  of  Thomas  Parker ; 
He  liv'd  where  Obed  Symonds  dwells, 
Was  deacon,  too,  the  record  tells. 

Another  view  the  map  doth  turn  up, 
And  shows  the  house  of  Isaac  Burnap 
'Twas  situated  close  by  where 
Now  live  John  Brown  and  Jeremiah. 

And  to  the  North,  on  Saugus  River, 
Where  Mister  Newcomb's  now  the  liver, 
I  find  the  ancient  Sawing  Mill, 
First  built  and  work'd  by  one  John  Poole ; 
And  where  soon  after  one  for  corn 
Was  plac'd,  that  now  it  seems  is  gone  ; 
This  Mister  Poole  first  owned  the  land 
Where  Deacon  Wakefield's  buildings  stand  ; 
His  son,  whose  name  was  Jonathan, 
Was  second  captain,  selectman. 

And  last,  not  least,  I  found  the  site, 
By  our  old  fathers  consecrate  ; 
And  where  that  humble  temple  stood, 
By  them  first  dedicate  to  God  ; 
'T  was  built  upon  the  common  lands, 
Near  where  the  Wiley  Hotel  stands, 
In  which  were  certain  seats  and  aisles, 
Forbid  to  women,  boys,  and  girls  ; 
Where,  if  a  dog  dar'd  venture  in, 
Was  tax'd  a  sixpence  for  the  sin  ; 
And  then  the  sexton,  with  a  switch, 
Drove  him,  loud-yelping,  from  the  church ; 
Where  Henry  Green,  their  earliest  pastor, 
First  preach'd  the  truths  of  Christ  his  Master 
Where  Parson  Haugh,  and  learned  Brock, 
Succeeded  in  the  heavenly  work. 

But  I  'm  detaining  you  too  long 
With  such  old  subjects^of  my  song  ; 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 

To  later  years  I  '11  hasten  on, 

For  fear  you  '11  think  I  'd  best  postpone 

The  balance  of  my  vers'fication 

To  next  centennial  celebration. 

The  magic  scene,  on  which  I  'd  gaz'd 
With  wonder,  gratified  and  pleas'd, 
Dissolv'd  away,  —  and  in  its  place 
Old  Reading  shone,  with  alter'd  face  ;  — 
Just  fifty  years  had  now  pass'd  o'er, 
'T  was  sixteen  hundred  ninety-four. 

And  as  with  wonder  I  behold 
Our  Reading,  half  a  cent'ry  old, 
The  first  great  objects  that  attract 
My  gaze,  that  mournful  sighs  exact, 
Are  sad  mausoleums  of  the  dead,  — 
Where  death  has  made  the  pilgrims'  bed  ; 
Where  humble  gravestones  mark  the  place 
Of  our  old  fathers'  burying-place  ; 
And,  as  I  scann'd  the  graves  around, 
The  solemn  truth  I  quickly  learn'd, 
That  out  of  all  that  hardy  band, 
Who  first  were  settlers  of  the  land, 
But  four  remain'd  :  old  Major  Swayne, 
Old  Mother  Kendall,  of  the  plain, 
And  Captain  Brown,  were  living  still, 
And  old  John  Damon,  of  the  hill. 
A  town  and  school-house  now  is  found 
Within  this  ancient  burial-ground ; 
A  house,  whose  granite  bases  rest 
Among  the  bones  of  pilgrims  blest, 
And  children  play  without  recoil 
Upon  this  old  sepulchral  soil. 

Another  object  meets  ray  view, 
On  this  old  picture,  number  two  ; 
The  ancient  church  is  taken  down, 
And,  in  what 's  now  a  burial-ground, 
Another  temple  rears  its  walls, 
Where  "  Pierpont "  gives  the  heavenly  calls  ; 
Where  his  successor,  Richard  Brown, 
The  next  old  pastor  of  the  town, 
And  William  Hobby,  learn'd  and  good, 
Within  its  sacred  pulpit  stood  — 
Hobby  —  whose  son  of  promise  fair, 
Ere  yet  he  'd  fill'd  his  twentieth  year, 
A  senior  in  old  Harvard's  walls, 
By  death  is  seiz'd  and  early  falls  ; 


443 


444 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

And  on  his  gravestone  thus  you  '11  find 
His  fame  engrav'd  in  classic  line  :  — 
"  Hie  jacet  filius  Gulielmus, 
Reverendi,  Domini  Gulielmus, 
Et  filius  Luciae  Hohbi, 
Nam  maximus  Collegii, 
Clarus  alumnus  Harvardini, 
Juvenis  optima  spei, 
Obiit  in  mense  Marcii, 
Magnae,  deliciae  omni, 
Anno  mille  septengenti, 
Atque  sex  et  quinquaginta, 

Et  £etate  in  viginti." 
The  windows  small  of  this  old  house 
Were  made,  't  is  said,  of  diamond  glass  ; 
Instead  of  pews,  it  had  long  seats, 
Where  men  of  age  and  large  estates 
Possess'd  the  front  and  best  locations, 
While  younger  men  in  lower  stations, 
Sat  next  behind,  with  humble  mien, 
And  then  the  women  next  were  seen, 
And  rear  of  all,  close  by  the  doors, 
The  girls  appear,  as  well  as  boys. 

Close  by  the  church  a  school-house  too. 
With  humble  roof,  comes  to  my  view, 
Wherein  the  children  used  to  pore 
The  spelling-book  and  psalter  o'er. 

Over  the  map  I  spread  my  eye, 
To  see  what  changes  I  could  spy  — 
New  fields  of  cultivated  land, 
Where  smiling  crops  abundant  stand; 
New  houses,  scatter'd  here  and  there, 
Where  nought  but  forest  was  before  ; 
Apples  and  pears,  and  other  fruit, 
Where  once  the  oak  and  pine  had  root ; 
New  settlers  too,  of  various  name, 
Have  made  this  settlement  their  home. 

And  down  where  Noah  Smith,  Esquire, 
Now  builds  his  altar  and  his  fire, 
And  from  his  boundless  store-house  quotes 
The  entertaining  anecdotes, 
"  The  worthy  Captain  Herbert "  is, 
A  man,  who  'd  sail'd  o'er  distant  seas, 
Had  "  brav'd  the  battle  and  the  breeze," 
Had  sought  this  town  to  spend  his  days; 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 

Was  chosen  Clerk,  as  it  appears, 
Of  our  old  town  for  many  years, 
And,  as  the  records  themselves  tell, 
Possess'd 'great  chirographic  skill. 

New  buildings  now  begin  to  show, 
Along  the  road,  through  old  "  North  Row"  ; 
A  family  of  Pratts  is  found 
Where  now  the  Wakefields  own  the  ground  ; 
One  Isaac  Southwick  owns  the  place, 
Where  now  reside  the  Symonds  race  ; 
Eatons  and  Emersons  are  spread, 
From  place  to  place  along  the  road, 
And  Batchelders  upon  the  soil, 
Where  still  their  children's  children  toil. 
And  passing  on  beyond  the  river, 
Where  Indians  wild,  with  bow  and  quiver, 
Where  savage  beasts,  with  hideous  sound, 
Rove  fearless  through  the  forest  round, 
A  few  brave  spirits  now  appear, 
In  spite  of  perils,  settling  here. 

And  near  the  spot,  where  now  you  see 
One  Jacob  Gowing's  family, 
One  Flint,  whose  Christian  name  was  George, 
First  rais'd  that  building,  strong  and  large, 
In  which  the  early  settlers  flock'd, 
When  they  by  Indians  were  attack'd, 
And  which,  for  many  years,  was  known, 
As  the  old  "fort"  and  "Garrison." 
Eben  and  Daniel,  George's  sons, 
Were  warriors,  as  tradition  runs, 
Enlisted  in  their  country's  cause, 
And  perish'd  in  the  Indian  wars. 
And  in  those  times  of  fierce  alarms, 
The  women  us'd  to  carry  arms  ; 
And  once,  't  is  said,  old  settler  Flint, 
To  church,  with  wife  and  children  went, 
And  left  two  daughters,  brave  and  fair, 
To  guard  the  house  and  take  the  care  ; 
And  as  these  girls  with  courage  true, 
Their  trusty  pistols  charged  anew, 
One,  pointing  to  the  other's  head, 
Remark'd  in  careless,  sportive  mood  : 
"  Now  Sis,  were  you  an  Indian  foe, 
How  I  would  let  this  pistol  go  !  " 
No  sooner  said  —  than,  loud  and  quick, 
The  ball  whizz'd  deep  in  sister's  neck  ; 


445 


446  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

And  though  this  charge  no  death-wound  gave, 
The  slug  she  carried  to  her  grave. 

This  race  of  Flints,  in  our  old  town, 
Have  added  much  to  her  renown  ;  — 
Colonels  and  squires  and  politicians, 
Men,  great  and  learn'd  in  the  professions, 
Historians  and  poets  too, 
Whose  names  are  known  the  country  through 
And  now  to-day  the  laurels  grace 
Another  of  this  favor'd  race, 
Another  stone  from  th'  same  old  quarry, 
Which  has,  through  all  our  ancient  story, 
Built  up  so  high  our  township's  glory ; 
Another  chip  of  th'  same  old  block, 
A  smooth,  high-polish'd,  sculptur'd  rock, 
Comes  up  a  lofty  place  to  claim, 
Within  the  temple  fair  of  fame, 
Ascends  and  takes  the  highest  niche, 
Among  the  diamonds  bright  and  rich, 
And  like  the  Flint  stone,  sparkles  thence 
The  flash  of  wit  and  eloquence. 

A  little  west  of  Flint's  old  place, 
A  branch  of  th'  old  Eaton  race, 
And  scatter'd  here  and  there  I  found 
The  Uptons,  Parkers,  Taylors,  round, 
And  other  names,  to  speak  of  now, 
The  time,  of  course,  will  not  allow. 

Passing  from  hence,  our  steps  we  '11  bend 
To  what  of  old  was  call'd  "  Woodend," 
And  some  of  those  we  '11  try  to  quote, 
Who,  at  this  stage,  were  men  of  note. 

And  first,  I  find  upon  the  land, 
Where  Dana  Parker's  buildings  stand, 
The  homestead  of  the  Boutwell  race, 
A  stanch  old  fam'ly  of  the  place. 

And  'gainst  the  Common,  the  west  side, 
The  Parker  family  reside, 
An  honor'd  race,  from  which  arose 
The  noblest  names  our  record  shows. 

And  on  the  spot,  where  now  I  see 
One  Etn'ry  Bancroft's  family, 
Old  Henry  Merrow  and  his  race 
Long  had  their  home  and  dwelling-place. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 

And  farther  west,  upon  the  lands, 
Where  now  Squire  Prescott's  mansion  stands, 
Another  of  that  Eaton  race,  — 
Who  seem  to  be  in  ev'ry  mess,  — 
One  Joshua  Eaton  own'd  the  place  ; 
He  was  old  Jonas  Eaton's  son, 
Whom  we  have  seen  in  the  old  town, 
Went  delegate  to  General  Court, 
Was  otherwise  a  man  of  note  ; 
He  had  a  grandson,  Joshua, 
Who  went  to  fight  the  enemy, 
And  lost  his  life  in  Gates's  line, 
At  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne. 

Still  further  west,  I  find  the  ground, 
Where  Deacon  Thomas  Bancroft  own'd  ; 
Illustrious  men  of  this  old  name 
Throng  ev'ry  page  of  Reading's  fame, 
I  '11  name  but  one  —  enough  to  glory  in  — 
"  Esquire  George  Bancroft,  the  Historian." 

And  near  at  hand  there  come  to  view 
The  Westons'  place  and  Temples'  too. 

But  I  must  let  this  picture  be, 
And  hasten  on  to  number  three. 
The  priestess  turn'd  the  canvas  o'er,  — 
'T  was  seventeen  hundred  forty  four. 

But  I  '11  not  stop  to  specify 
The  objects  here  that  meet  the  eye, 
But  simply  state,  in  gen'ral  phrase, 
How  fifty  years  have  chang'd  the  place. 
The  fathers,  where  are  they  ?  they  're  gone, 
Their  children's  children  have  come  on  ; 
Houses  improv'd  in  form  and  size, 
New  cultur'd  lands  before  me  rise. 
The  little  scatter'd  company 
Are  now  a  thousand,  happy,  free  ;  — 
Old  Parson  Hobby,  at  the  South, 
With  wig  august,  walks  stately  forth, 
With  buckles  bright  of  monstrous  size, 
Upon  his  shoes  and  at  his  knees  ; 
With  solemn  gait,  his  desk  ascends, 
The  gospel  call  of  love  extends. 
And  at  the  North,  the  portals  fair 
Of  a  new  temple  now  appear, 
Where  Daniel  Putnam,  their  first  priest, 
Spreads  out  therein  the  gospel  feast. 


447 


448 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

The  priestess  chang'd  the  scene  once  more, 
'T  was  sev'nteen  hundred  ninety-four  ; 
Bright  shines  our  Reading  at  this  stage, 
Although  thrice  fifty  years  of  age. 

Columbia's  eagle,  strong  and  fair, 
Sails  proudly  on,  midway  the  air, 
Majestic  emblem  to  the  free, 
That  o'er  the  land  there  's  liberty  ; 
On  ev'ry  hill-top,  ev'ry  plain, 
The  pole  of  liberty  is  seen, 
And  from  its  gilded  summit  wave 
The  starry  banners  of  the  brave  ; 
A  race  of  patriots  now  appear, 
The  victor's  laurell'd  wreaths  that  wear, 
Who,  when  oppression's  thunder  roll'd 
Its  war-cloud  o'er  this  western  world, 
And  when  their  country's  voice  was  heard, 
Calling  her  sons  to  seize  the  sword  : 
"Strike,  till  the  last  arm'd  foe  expires, 
Strike,  for  your  altars  and  your  fires, 
Strike,  for  the  green  graves  of  your  sires, 

God,  and  your  native  land,' 
Rush'd  fearless  at  this  battle  cry, 
To  meet  the  foemen  that  were  nigh, 
Resolv'd  to  conquer  them  or  die, 
Amid  their  country's  band  ; 
"  They  fought,  like  brave  men,  long  and  well," 
Thousands  of  foes  before  them  fell ; 
They  conquer'd,  and  their  country  s  free. 
Hurra  !  for  them  and  liberty  ! 

Among  those  great  illustrious  names, 
Whose  valor  thus  our  homage  claims,  — 
Heroes,  who  rais'd  their  country's  name 
Above  all  Greek  or  Roman  fame,  — 
The  Reading  men  distinguish'd  stand, 
A  brave,  unconquerable  ban  d; 
A  host,  whose  numbers,  in  amount, 
Exceed  what  now  I've  time  to  count ; 
These  men  had  now  return'd  to  plough 
The  land  they  'd  rescued  from  the  foe  ; 
They  'd  come  triumphant  from  the  war, 
The  sons  of  liberty  and  law, 
To  walk  as  freemen  on  the  soil, 
Enrich'd  by  blood,  secur'd  by  toil ; 
To  nourish  the  fair  Olive  there, 
And  mingle  with  the  fairer  fair, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 

With  mothers  and  with  sisters  too, 

Who  'd  help'd  with  pray'rs  the  fee  subdue 

A  remnant  of  these  braves  still  live, 

Our  gratitude  and  love  t'  receive  : 

There 's  Sweetser,  John,  and  old  Cornelius 

Who  dar'd  to  tyrants  act  rebellious  ; 

There 's  Joseph  Hopkins,  of  Bare  Hill, 

And  Ol'vr  Walton,  living  still ; 

That  vet'ran  "Shoe  Jour?  of  "  £11  Pond," 

Old  William  Emerson,  lives  on  ; 

David  and  William  Parker  too 

Are  yet  among  the  precious  few  ; 

Old  Daniel  Damon  lingers  here ; 

And  Wakefield,  'squire,  brings  up  the  rear.* 

Of  all  that  brave  and  hardy  band, 

That  Reading  sent  to  guard  the  land, 

That  number'd  scores,  and  fifties  even, 

1  hey 're  all,  we  trust,  gone  home  to  heaven, 

Save  nine  alone,  whose  ark  of  life 

Still  floats  amid  tke  tempests'  strife. 

Long  may  these  vet'rans  live,  to  see 

Their  country  happy,  prosp'rous,  free ; 

And  when  at  last  the  time  shall  come, 

That  they  must  go  to  their  long  home, 

In  heaven's  strength,  may  they  then  prove 

Victorious  o'er  the  monster's  grave, 

By  angel  bands  escorted,  rise 

To  meet  their  Captain  in  the  skies, 

And  there  sit  down,  the  vict'ry  won, 

With  all  the  saints  —  with  Washington  ! 

A  new-built  church  now.meets  my  eyes, 
Whose  top  aspires  to  reach  the  skies, 
Where  Prentiss  mild,  with  kindly  word, 
Entreats  his  friends  to  love  the  Lord. 

And  at  the  north,  old  Parson  Stone, 
In  plain  and  blunt,  but  honest  tone  : 
"  This  5s  the  road,  that  God  has  given, 
Walk  ye  therein,  and  go  to  Heaven." 

And  at  the  West,  upon  the  lands, 
Near  where  their  present  church  now  stands, 
The  third  old  Parish  have  uprear'd 
Their  earliest  temple  to  the  Lord  ; 


449 


*  Since  writing  the  above,  the  author  has  learned  that  Samuel  Damon,  formerly  of  Reading,  and  now 
Uving  in  Lancaster,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution. 

57 


450 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Where  Haven  preach'd,  who  was  the  first 

Who  there  discharg'd  the  watchman's  trust ; 

Where  Parson  Sanborn,  his  successor, 

Rouses  the  sinner  and  professor, 

And  by  his  heavenly  eloquence 

Calls  forth  the  tears  of  penitence ;  — 

This  venerable  priest  and  sage, 

The  pastor  of  a  former  age, 

Still  lives  !  O,  may  new  days  be  given, 

Late  may  our  friend  return  to  Heaven  ! 


But  leaving  this  old  map  and  view, 
Let 's  now  take  up  what 's  fresh  and  new ; 
Pass  all  these  types  and  shadows  o'er, 
'T  is  eighteen  hundred  forty -four  ; 
And  we  are  met  to  celebrate 
Our  fathers'  home,  our  own  dear  seat. 
Then  let  us  hail  with  joy  the  land, 
Where  we,  its  favor'd  children,  Stand ; 
"  Trace  ev'ry  spot  we  love  so  well," 
In  this  fair  city  where  we  dwell ; 
Shout  in  the  breezes  from  its  hills, 
And  join  the  music  of  its  rills ; 
Inhale  the  fragrance  from  its  fields, 
And  taste  the  fruit  its  garden  yields ; 
Unfurl  our  canvas  on  its  lakelets, 
And  stroll  its  meads,  along  its  streamlets ; 
Count  up  the  num'rous  muses'  seats, 
Where  science  holds  her  lov'd  retreats  ; 
Go  worship  where  those  shrines  appear, 
That  number  now  some  half  a  score, 
Whose  beauteous  portals,  op'ning  wide, 
Are  now  beheld  on  ev'ry  side  ; 
Count  o'er  the  handsome  cottages, 
Tell  all  the  shining  palaces, 
Enumerate  the  happy  throng, 
To  whom  these  dwellings  fair  belong  ; 
And  then  rejoice  that  we  command 
The  fairest  village  of  the  land. 
Now  let  us  pray  that  while  old  Time 
Rolls  on  the  ages,  yet  to  come, 
And  while  our  town,  with  railroad  motion, 
Improves  its  wealth  and  population, 
Let  us  entreat  our  fathers'  God, 
Who  long  has  blest  this  fair  abode, 
To  scatter  light  and  truth  abroad  ; 
That  future  generations' here 
Shall  so  increase,  from  year  to  year, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  451 

In  those  rich  treasures,  stor'd  in  Heaven, 
T*  wisdom,  knowledge,  virtue  given, 
That  when  the  sun's  revolving  way 
Shall  light  our  next  centennial  day, 
Spectators  may  with  joy  behold 
Those  treasures  grown  an  hundredfold. 


THE  CELEBRATION. 

The  morning  of  the  29th,  of  May,  1844,  was  beautifully  clear,  and 
the  day  proved  to  be  one  of  the  finest  which  could  have  been  chosen 
for  such  an  occasion.  The  rising  sun  was  greeted  by  a  joyous  peal 
from  the  bells  in  the  several  parishes  in  Old  Reading,  the  whole  place 
was  soon  alive  with  excitement  and  expectation,  flags  were  displayed 
from  the  various  flag-staffs,  and  the  roads  leading  to  the  place  of  cele- 
bration were  thronged  with  people  wending  their  way,  joyously,  to  join 
the  great  gathering  at  Union  Hall. 

At  ten  o'clock  the  procession  was  formed  at  Union  Hall,  in  the 
South  Parish,  in  Reading,  under  the  direction  of  Daniel  Pratt,  Jr.,  Esq., 
chief  marshal. 

First  came  the  escort,  composed  of  three  handsomely  uniformed 
volunteer  companies,  the  "  South  Reading  Rifle  Greens,"  commanded 
by  Capt.  Wiley,  the  "  Brooks  Phalanx,"  of  Medford,  commanded  by 
Capt.  Blanchard,  and  the  "  Woburn  Mechanic  Phalanx,"  commanded 
by  Capt.  Winn.  The  martial  bearing  of  these  several  companies  did 
credit  to  their  discipline.  They  marched  to  the  music  of  the  "  Maiden 
Band  "  and  the  "  Marion  Band,"  of  Woburn,  whose  performances  sus- 
tained their  reputation  as  excellent  musicians. 

Then  came  the  orator  and  the  poet  of  the  day,  the  president  and  first 
vice-president,  followed  by  the  second  vice-president  and  the  chaplains. 
Immediately  succeeding  these  came  the  committee  of  arrangements, 
with  their  families,  four  deep.  Then  came  the  coach  with  the  soldiers 
of  the  Revolution,  and  just  after  it  two  gentlemen  and  four  ladies,  clad 
in  the  garb  of  the  olden  time.  These  "  last  of  the  cocked  hats,"  who, 
while  the  soldiers  of  the  Revolution  seemed  young  again,  appeared  to 
have  grown  as  suddenly  old,  attracted  much  attention.  After  the  "old 
folks  "  came  the  choir,  then  the  invited  guests,  with  their  ladies ;  these 
were  followed  by  the  clergymen,  physicians,  and  lawyers,  resident  and 
non-resident,  with  their  ladies,  and  the  procession  closed  with  the  citi- 
zens and  strangers  generally,  with  their'families. 

The  procession  passed  through  the  main  street  of  the  village,  thence 


452  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

up  the  Common  between  the  elms,  from  which  was  suspended  the 
inscription,  decked  with  evergreens,  *'  1844,  BI-CENTENNIAL."  At  the 
entrance  to  the  field  selected  for  the  exercises  of  the  day  an  arch  was 
erected,  bearing  the  motto,  executed  in  old  style,  "  MDCXLIV  incor- 
porated." A  platform  for  the  officers  of  the  day,  speakers,  invited 
guests,  etc.,  was  raised,  and  seats  for  the  audience  erected  on  rising 
ground  in  the  form  of  an  amphitheatre,  where  about  four  thousand  per- 
sons listened  to  the  exercises  with  great  interest. 

The  services  on  the  field  commenced  with  music  from  the  Maiden 
Brass  Band,  which,  with  the  "  Marion  Band,"  discoursed  sweet  music  in 
the  field,  on  the  march,  and  at  the  pavilion.  An  appropriate  prayer 
was  then  offered  by  Rev.  Aaron  Pickett,  of  Reading,  South  Parish,  and 
passages  of  Scripture,  selected  from  the  Psalms,  and  adapted  to  the 
occasion,  were  read  in  a  distinct,  forcible,  and  devout  manner,  by  the 
Rev.  E.  W.  Allen,  of  Reading,  North  Parish,  the  chaplains  of  the  day. 
The  choir  then  sung,  to  the  tune  of  St.  Martin's,  the  following  selected 
hymn,  with  fine  effect :  — 

"  Let  children  hear  the  mighty  deeds 

Which  God  performed  of  old ; 
Which  in  our  younger  years  we  saw, 
And  which  our  fathers  told. 

"  He  bids  us  make  his  glories  known,  — 

His  works  of  power  and  grace  : 
And  we  '11  convey  his  wonders  down, 
Through  every  rising  race. 

"  Our  lips  shall  tell  them  to  our  sons, 

And  they  again  to  theirs, 
That  generations  yet  unborn 
May  teach  them  to  their  heirs. 

»        "  Thus  shall  they  learn,  in  God  alone, 

Their  hope  securely  stands ; 
That  they  may  ne'er  forget  his  works, 
But  practise  his  commands." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Flint,  a  native  of  Reading,  then  delivered  an  address, 
which  enchained  the  audience  for  two  hours.  He  gave  a  minute  his- 
tory of  the  place,  from  its  settlement  to  the  present  time,  so  far  as  the 
time  would  permit.  The  address  was  followed  by  a  poem,  which  occu- 
pied one  hour  in  the  delivery,  by  Hon.  Lilley  Eaton,  of  South  Reading. 
He  retained  the  attention  and  sustained  the  interest  of  the  audience  to 
its  close. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


453 


The  following  stanzas,  selected  from  an  ode  written  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Flint  for  a  celebration  at  Plymouth,  were  then  sung  by  the  choir  in 
excellent  style. 

"  Come,  listen  to  my  story, 

Though  often  told  before, 
Of  men  who  passed  to  glory, 

Through  toil  and  travail  sore  ; 
Of  men  who  did,  for  conscience'  sake, 

Their  native  land  forego, 
And  sought  a  home  and  freedom  here, 

Two  hundred  years  ago. 

"  Dark  was  the  scene  and  dreary, 

When  here  they  sat  them  down  — 
Of  storms  and  billows  weary, 

And  chilled  with  winter's  frown. 
Deep  moaned  the  forest  to  the  wind, 

And  howled  the  savage  foe, 
While  here  their  evening  prayer  arose, 

Two  hundred  years  ago. 

"  Of  fair  New  England's  glory, 

They  laid  the  corner-stone ;  — 
This  deed,  in  deathless  story, 

Their  grateful  sons  shall  own. 
Prophetic,  they  foresaw,  in  time, 

A  mighty  State  should  grow 
From  them,  a  few  faint  pilgrims  here, 

Two  hundred  years  ago. 

"  From  seeds  they  sowed,  with  weeping, 

Our  richest  harvests  rise  ; 
We  still  the  fruits  are  reaping, 

Of  pilgrim  enterprise. 
Then  grateful,  we  to  them  will  pay 

The  debt  of  fame  we  owe, 
Who  planted,  here,  the  tree  of  life, 

Two  hundred  years  ago.  • 

"  As  comes  this  period,  yearly, 

Around  our  cheerful  fires, 
We  '11  think,  and  tell,  how  dearly 

Our  comforts  cost  our  sires. 
For  them,  we  '11  wake  the  festive  song, 

And  bid  the  c.tnvas  glow, 
Who  fixed  the  home  of  freedom  here, 

Two  hundred  years  ago." 


454  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

The  benediction  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  Peter  Sanborn,  of  Read- 
ing. 

The  procession  then  proceeded  to  a  spacious  pavilion,  erected  near 
the  meeting-house,  where  sixteen  hundred  persons,  "  men,  women,  and 
children,"  were  seated,  and,  after  the  invocation  of  the  blessing  of 
God,  by  Rev.  Micah  Stone,  of  Brookfield,  a  native  of  Reading,  re- 
freshed themselves  with  the  good  things  provided  for  the  occasion  by 
John  Wright,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  one  of  the  best  caterers  for  such  festi- 
vals. When  ample  justice  had  been  done  to  the  viands,  the  President 
of  the  day,  Caleb  Wakefield,  Esq.,  in  a  few  remarks,  bade  all  a  hearty 
welcome  to  this  fraternal  meeting,  and  concluded  with  the  following 
sentiment :  — 

The  day  we  celebrate.  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  our  fathers  —  while 
we  call  to  mind  their  trials  and  virtues,  let  us  not  forget  their  good 
example. 

The  "  regular  "  and  other  sentiments,  which  follow,  were  interspersed 
with  music  from  the  bands,  some  excellent  glees,  by  the  "  Croton  Glee 
Club,"  from  Boston,  and  a  song  in  fine  style  by  Mr.  Reed,  the  leader 
of  the  choir,  in  the  chorus  to  which  the  multitude  joined. 

REGULAR    TOASTS. 

i.  The  day  we  celebrate.  An  unfrequent  visitant  —  may  its  centen- 
nial return,  till  time's  remotest  century,  mark,  among  our  population, 
an  increase  of  knowledge,  morality,  and  virtue,  of  at  least  an  hundred 
per  centum. 

The  Old  Men  and  Women  present  on  this  occasion.  "  The  glory  of 
children  are  their  fathers  "  and  mothers  —  and  now,  that  they  are  old 
and  gray-headed,  let  us  pray  that  "  God  will  never  forsake  them." 

3.  The  "  May  Flower"  that  arrived  at  Plymouth  in  1620.     Its  peta- 
lous  leaves  shed  a  fragrance  all  over  the  land,  richer  than  the  gales  of 
Arabia  ;  its  seeds,  sown  in  the  soil,  produced  the  glorious  tree  of  civil 
and  religious  liberty,  and  the  more  glorious  fruits  of  wisdom  and  virtue. 
Reading  planted  in  May,  was  a  May  flower,  of  the  same  old  stock  ;  its 
blossoms  are  fair  and  its  fruits  rich  —  it  has  proved  centennial,  may  it 
likewise  prove  perennial. 

4.  The  Farmers  of  Reading  in  the  days  of  the  Revolution.     They 
were  great  in  the  pasture,  but  greater  in  the  field —  and  when  they  put 
their  hands  to  the  plough,  whether  agricultural  or  military,  they  turned 
the  sward  handsomely,  and  never  looked  back,  but  "  put  her  straight 
through." 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


455 


5.  Old  'lection  day.     What  glorious,  happy  times  we  used  to  have 
on  this  old,  joyous  anniversary !     And,  although  our  rulers  have  buried 
this  old  State  holiday  beneath  the  snows  of  January,  yet,  as  it  is  our 
own  municipal  anniversary,  we  will  still  celebrate  it  once  a  century,  hit 
or  miss. 

6.  Our  Shoemakers,  male  and  female.     May  the  men  be  of  prime 
stuff  and  bottom  —  of  first 'rate  souls  —  of  good  understanding  —  may 
the  rubbers  of  life  make  them  pliable,  strong,  and  water  proof.     May 
the  ladies  not  be  too  high  in  the  instep,  but  may  they  always  be  trimmed 
with  the  ornaments  of  modesty,  quietness,  and  meekness,  which  in 
Heaven's  market  are  all  of  great  price,  and  surmounted  always  with 
handsome  beaux  ;  and  may  both  male  and  female  be  cemented  together 
with  the  wax  of  lasting  friendship  —  well  bound  by  the  golden  cords  of 
love,  and  tiedt  together  by  the  silver  clasps  of  wedlock  —  never  giving 
or  receiving  kicks,  but  always  abounding  in  a  plenty  of  kacks. 

7.  Old  Methuselah.     When  this   old   antediluvian  had  lived   nine 
hundred  years,  and  found  some  thirty  generations  of  his  posterity  still 
living  around  him,  what  a  glorious  centennial  celebration  he  might 
have  got  up. 

8.  Our  Cabinet  Makers.     May  the  tablets  of  their  hearts  be  inlaid 
and  veneered  with  virtue,  humility,  and  wisdom — their  tongues  always 
speak  the  unvarnished  tale  of  truth — their  reputation  be  unstained — 
may  they  be  firmly  united  by  the  glue  of  friendship  —  recline  upon  the 
sofa  of  competence — sleep  upon  the  couch  of  contentment  and  happiness  ; 

—  and  whether  they  shall  sit  in  the  great  chair  of  state,  or  be  engaged 
in  making  and  rocking  the  cradles  of    innocence,  may  everything  be 
done  like  clock  work. 

9.  The  town  of  Reading.     Instead  of  again  dividing  her  territory 
into  two  districts,  she  has  decided  that,  for  a  while  longer,  Wood  End 
must  endeavor  to  "  make  both  ends  meet." 

10.  Our  farmers.     May  they  see  a  luxuriant  crop  of  Olive  plants 
springing  up  in  their  own  good  soil  —  may  these  plants  be  well  cultivated 

—  always  enriched  with  education,  watered  by  the  dews  of  temperance, 
warmed  and  enlightened  by  the  sun  of  science  ;   and  preserved  by  the 
pure  moral  atmosphere  which  their  parents  and  friends  shall  exhale 
around  them,  from  the  worm  of  the  still,  from  the  slug  of  indolence, 
from  millers,  and  all  other  noxious  insects ;  and,  in  due  time,  may  these 
plants  be  interchangeably  ingrafted,  and  then  may  they  "bud  and  blos- 
som like  the  rose,  and  bring  forth  fruit  even  to  old  age." 

11.  Old  Bachelors.     They  are  like  some  of  the  old  apple  and  pear 
trees,  planted  by  our  ancestors,  some  of  which  are  still  standing  among 


456  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

us,  all  covered  with  moss  and  thorns,  whose  fruit,  if  they  bear  any,  is 
scattered,  sour,  and  worthless  ;  and,  just  like  these  same  old  crab-trees, 
they  ought  to  be  grafted  with  scions  of  the  lady  apple,  the  belle  flower, 
the  sweeting,  the  Catherine,  t\\e  julienne,  etc.,  or,  if  they  refuse  to  sub- 
mit to  this,  they  should  be  forthwith  transplanted  into  the  deserts  of 
Africa. 

12.  Time.     Swifter  than  a  steam  locomotive  —  swifter  even  than 
the  passing  of  a  lightning's  flash,  it  flies  along  its  track  to  eternity  — 
may  all  of  us  obtain  seats  in  that  train,  that  runs  up  the  shining  way  — 
whose  conductor  is  God,  whose  depot  is  Heaven. 

13.  The  Ladies  of  Reading,   from   its   earliest   settlement   to  the 
present  time.     We  have  heard  that  some  of  our  earliest  settlers  were 
accused  of  witchcraft ;   whether  they  were  guilty  or  not,  we  know  not ; 
but  one  thing  we  do  know,  viz.  that,  in  these  modern  timas,  conclusive 
evidence  has  been  given  by  many  a  Swain  and  Batchelder,  by  some 
Parsons  and  many  other  Persons  in  town,  that  in  melting  Harts  of  Flint 
and  Stone,  the  ladies  of  the  present  day  have  a  most  Wiley  and  bewitch- 
ing power. 

The  following  were  among  the  volunteer  sentiments  offered  on  the 
occasion. 

The  oldest  Minister  of  this  town.  As  was  the  outward  man  in  1790, 
so  is  the  inward  man  in  1844,  active  and  vigorous.  "The  fathers, 
where  are  they  ?  "  Oh !  gone.  "  The  prophets,  do  they  live  forever  ?  " 
Why,  how  changed  ! 

The  Rev.  Peter  Sanborn,  who  was  settled  in  Reading  in  1790,  and 
who  is  now  nearly  fourscore  years  old,  in  responding  to  this  sentiment, 
drew  an  interesting  contrast  between  the  town  as  he  first  knew  it,  and 
its  present  condition,  and  closed  with  the  following :  — 

Our  Children  and  their  Descendants.  May  they  shun  all  the  vices, 
and  cherish  all  the  virtues,  of  their  fathers. 

By  the  Orator  of  the  day.  The  fairer  and  better  half  of  the  towns  of 
Reading  and  South  Reading.  The  worthy  daughters  of  worthy  mothers 
—  may  they  be  the  mothers  of  daughters  as  worthy. 

By  Rev.  Micah  Stone.  Dear  Old  Reading.  Although  long  absent, 
I  love  thee  still,  my  native  place. 

"  There  is  Bunker  Hill,  and  there  it  will  remain  forever  "  The  fire  of 
patriotism  lighted  in  1775  does  not  cease  to  burn  in  the  bosoms  of  her 
sons  at  this  day. 

This  called  up   Richard  Frothingham,   Jr.,  Esq.,  of   Charlestown, 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  457 

i 

who  responded  in  an  interesting  historical  speech,  and  offered  the  fol- 
lowing :  — 

New  England  Towns,  Nurseries  of  public  spirit  and  political  inde- 
pendence —  their  records  contain  full  details  of  the  art  as  practised  by 
conscience-governed  and  liberty-loving  men,  of  making  a  small  people 
a  great  nation. 

Hon.  David  P.  King,  our  Representative  in  Congress  —  ever  watch- 
ful of  the  interests  of  his  constituents. 

A  letter  from  Mr.  King  was  read,  concluding  with  — 

The  Descendants  of  the  Worthies  of  Reading.  May  it  ever  be  remem- 
bered by  them,  that  an  honorable  ancestry  is  best  commemorated,  and 
most  honored,  by  the  patriotism  and  virtues  of  their  posterity. 

Salem,  the  oldest  town  of  Massachusetts  Colony.  Her  sons  inherit  the 
energy  of  their  sires. 

A  letter  was  here  read  from  Hon.  Leverett  Saltonstall,  of  Salem,  whose 
mother  was  a  native  of  Reading,  and  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Richard 
Brown,  the  fifth  minister  of  the  first  church  in  Reading  —  concluding 
with  the  following  sentiment :  — 

Our  Ancestors,  —  "  who  left  their  pleasant  homes  in  England,"  and 
came  to  "  this  outside  of  the  world  "  for  "  freedom  to  worship  God." 
The  sequel  has  shown,  that  Johnson,  in  his  "  Wonder-working  Provi- 
dence," spoke  in  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  when  he  said,  "  Time  shall  dis- 
cover the  wisdom  with  which  they  were  endued ;  and  the  sequel  shall 
show,  that  their  policy  overtopped  all  human  policy  of  this  world." 

The  Clergy.  Trusty  sentinels,  now  on  our  spiritual  walls  —  "  Watch- 
man, what  of  the  night !  " 

To  this  sentiment,  the  Rev.  Aaron  Pickett,  of  Reading,  responded  in 
a  short  but  eloquent  speech. 

By  Capt.  A.  Foster,  of  South  Reading.  The  surviving  Soldiers  of  the 
American  Revolution.  Though  not  members  of  any  Peace  'Society,  yet 
they  were  strong  advocates  of  pacific  principles ;  and  as  they  were  in 
olden  time,  so  they  are  now,  still  determined  to  maintain  peace  under 
all  circumstances  and  at  all  hazards,  even  though  they  should  shoulder 
their  guns  and  fight  for  it. 

The  Physicians  of  Old  Reading,  —  at  the  head  of  whom  stood  His 
Excellency  John  Brooks,  and  the  Hon.  John  Hart  —  may  their  pre- 
scriptions prove  as  efficacious  as  that  of  the  doctors  of  the  Revolution, 
when,  after  a  consultation,  they  told  John  Bull,  "  that  a  limb  must  be 
amputated." 

Dr.  Horace  P.  Wakefield,  recently  of  Oakham,  and  a  native  of  Read- 
ing, responded  to  this  sentiment,  and  offered  the  following :  — 
58 


458  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

The  sovereign  remedy  of  Uncle  Sam  for  John  Bull — Lead  pills, 
followed  with  sulphur  and  nitre  —  if  found  to  operate  well,  double  the 
dose. 

School  Masters.  In  olden  time,  we  used  to  hire  our  teachers  from 
Cambridge,  Boston,  Charlestown,  and  other  large  towns,  and  pay  them 
ninepence  a  day,  and  some  of  them  were  dear  at  that ;  —  at  the  present 
time,  we  send  out  to  those  old  seats  of  learning,  teachers  of  our  own 
raising,  who  command  their  thousand  a  year,  and  are  cheap  at  that. 

Paul  H.  Sweetser,  Esq.,  a  teacher  of  a  public  school  in  Charlestown, 
and  a  native  of  Reading,  was  called  up  by  this  sentiment,  and  made 
an  animated  speech,  closing  with, 

The  old  town  of  Reading.  For  two  centuries  her  -course  has  been 
onward  and  upward  —  may  her  motto  ever  be  excelsior. 

The  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad  Extension  Company.  May  their  suc- 
cess be  equal  to  their  enterprise.  "  Look  out  for  the  engine  while  the 
bell  rings." 

The  late  Members  of  the  Executive  Council,  Hon.  Edmund  Parker  and 
Hon.  Thaddeus  Spaulding.  Their  memories  are  engraven  on  the 
hearts  of  their  fellow-citizens. 

By  Rev.  William  Wakefield,  Jr.,  of  Reading.  The  third  Centennial 
Celebration,  May  2<)th,  1944.  May  those  who  shall,  one  hundred  years 
hence,  gather  around  our  wasting  dust,  have  cause  to  remember  us 
with  such  affection  as  we  bear  to  our  good  old  fathers  ;  and  bless 
God  that  they  were  descended  from  men  who  were  not  degenerate,  who 
lived  for  their  children,  and  their  children's  children. 

Francis  A.  Fabens,  Esq.,  formerly  of  Reading,  transmitted  the  fol- 
lowing sentiment :  — 

The  town  of  Reading.  May  we  so  administer  the  inheritance  which 
our  fathers  have  left  us,  that  our  children,  on  some  future  occasion,  may 
take  as  much  pride  in  recalling  the  events  of  our  local  history,  as  we 
to-day  are  able  to  do. 

By  Rev.  Reuben  Emerson,  of  South  Reading.  The  risen  and 
rising  generations .  May  they  imbibe  the  principles  and  adopt  the  prac- 
tices of  their  venerable  fathers  and  mothers,  which,  under  God,  have 
raised  us  up  to  what  we  are,  with  full  assurance  that  the  causes  which, 
in  their  unrestrained  operation,  have  given  us  the  elevation  we  glory  in, 
can  only  perpetuate,  by  their  continued  operation,  the  inestimable  priv- 
ileges, civil,  social,  literary,  moral,  and  religious,  the  inestimable  bequest 
of  their  fathers. 

By  James  Eustis,  ist  Vice  President  of  the  day.  The  Press.  May 
its  mighty  power  ever  be  used  in  the  dissemination  of  truth. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  459 

John  Prentiss,  Esq.,  editor  of  the  Keene,  N.  H.,  "  Sentinel,"  a 
native  of  Reading,  and  only  surviving  son  of  the  late  Rev.  Caleb  Pren- 
tiss, of  Reading,  rose,  and  after  some  remarks,  offered  the  following  :  — 

Old  Massachusetts  and  her  glorious  institutions. 

This  called  forth  a  letter  from  His  Excellency  Governor  Briggs,  and 
the  following  sentiment :  — 

The  ancient  town  of  Readin  .  After  two  hundred  years  of  progress 
in  the  cause  of  education,  and  of  civil  and  religious  freedom,  the  sen- 
tinel from  her  watch-tower  proclaims  "  All 's  well "  :  may  the  same 
cheerful  cry  be  heard  on  the  morning  of  her  third  centennial  birthday. 

By  the  poet  of  the  day.     The  Readings  — 

South,  and  West,  and  North  — 
Three  sisters  born  at  the  same  birth  — 
Have  met  to-day,  'mid  joy  and  cheer, 
To  celebrate  their  natal  year ; 
And  tho'  their  age  is  now  ten  score, 
They  're  fairer  now  than  e'er  before ; 
And  tho'  they  ne'er  had  spouse  or  brother, 
Yet  thousands  joy  to  call  them  mother ; 
Long  may  these  sisters  fair,  survive, 
Together  live,  and  love,  and  thrive, 
Rear  up  the  children  for  all  uses, 
To  make  the  bureaux  and  the  shoes'es. 

TJie  escort  of  the  day.  Like  the  volunteers  of  this  town,  under  the 
command  of  Governor,  then  Captain  Brooks  —  ever  ready  at  a  min- 
ute's warning.  With  such  soldiers  for  her  defence,  our  country  fears  no 
enemy; 

Captain  S.  Blanchard,  of  the  "  Brooks  Phalanx  "  of  Medford,  gave, 
in  reply :  — 

The  minute  men.  The  first  to  'peril  their  lives  for  their  country's 
safety,  the  last  to  prove  recreant  to  her  glory. 

The  following  letter,  with  the  sentiments,  was  received  from  Rev. 
James  N.  Sykes,  formerly  of  Reading:  — 

BRISTOL,  R.  I.,  May  24,  1844. 
CALEB  WAKEFIELD,  Esq. :  ,,f. 

Dear  Sir,  —  Accept  my  thanks  for  the  invitation  presented  me  by  your  committee, 
to  unite  with  you  in  your  celebration.  To  be  absent  is  a  sacrifice  which  a  stern  neces- 
sity imposes  on  me.  A  compliance  with  the  invitation  would  be  every  way  grateful 
to  my  feelings.  Such  a  service  is  honorable.  It  is  filial  to  observe  it  It  is  wise  to 
note  those  days  on  the  dial-plate  of  time  which  have  been  peculiarity  set  apart 
by  the  Providence  of  God.  Our  republican  simplicity  has  prevented  such  from 
becoming  too  numerous  ;  and,  while  other  countries  have  devoted  each  day  in  the 
year  to  some  pious  saint  or  impious  hero,  until,  for  want  of  room,  they  have  given  one 


460  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

to  "  All  Saints,"  ours  has  been  peculiarly  sparing  of  such  favors.  This  is  not  for  lack 
of  stirring  incident  or  noble  names.  We  are  rather  parsimonious  of  our  honors,  and 
I  therefore  rejoice  in  each  attempt  to  rescue  us  from  a  dishonorable  exception. 
There  is  something  amiable  in  such  a  gathering.  It  is  a  pilgrimage  to  the  tombs  of 
our  sires,  which  the  voice  of  nature  so  loudly  inculcates  that  she  compels  the  half- 
civilized  Chinese  annually  to  present  his  offerings  on  the  grave  of  his  fathers.  Our 
industry  may  apologize  for  a  more  rigid  economy  of  time  than  he  employs,  but  it 
cannot  let  us  do  less  than  once  in  a  century  to  fulfil  the  orifice.  It  is  well  that  we 
remember  the  past  In  reality,  it  draws  for  a  moment  aside  the  curtain  that  hangs 
before  the  future.  From  the  deep  recesses  of  the  past  there  comes  up  a  voice  sol- 
emnly reminding  us  that  "  that  which  hath  been,  is  that  which  shall  be  "  ;  that  our 
swift  career  is  towards  the  grave,  whither  our  fathers  have  gone ;  it  tells  "  what  shad- 
ows we  are,  and  what  shadows  we  pursue." 

I  have  walked  among  the  graves  on  your  green  hills ;  have  paused  to  spell  out  the 
names  of  your  honored  dead ;  and,  in  the  solitude  of  the  city  of  the  dead,  have  con- 
templated the  history  of  those  who  were  actors  on  the  stage  before  us.  On  such  an 
occasion  as  this,  their  memories  must  come  up  fresh  in  the  mind,  as  when  one  stands 
by  the  gray  and  time-worn  monument.  Let  us  not  turn  away  until  we  have  learned 
some  useful  lesson. 

I  had  almost  forgotten  that  I  was  writing  to  an  individual,  and  have  unconsciously 
fallen  almost  into  a  speech,  when  you  asked  only  for  a  sentiment  I  hasten  to  make 
amends  by  offering  one. 

To  the  dead  of  Reading.  Their  memory  is  their  most  enduring  monument  —  their 
deeds  their  noblest  epitaph. 

I  can  hardly  consent  to  leave  the  living  so  cavalierly.  Presuming  not  less  on  the 
richness  of  what  your  orator  shall  give  you  in  his  oration,  than  relying  on  the  memory 
of  one  of  her  most  distinguished  writers  and  sons,  Rev.  Timothy  Flint,  I  venture  the 
following :  — 

Old  Reading.    She  has  more  than  renewed  the  prodigy  of  the  wonder-working  rod. 
This  drew  wily  water  from  the  rock  —  she,  honey  from  the  Flint 
Very  respectfully  yours, 

JAMES  N.  SYKES. 

By  Joshua  Prescott,  Esq.  —  Two  hundred  years  ago  this  day  the 
town  of  Reading  was  incorporated,  being  settled  by  the  descendants  of 
Puritans,  whose  love  of  liberty,  pure  patriotism,  and  equal  rights,  has 
been  handed  down  and  maintained  from  generation  to  generation,  to 
the  present  time ;  and  when  the  genius  of  liberty  shall  be  forced  to  take 
her  flight  (which  we  pray  God  may  never  happen)  from  these  United 
States,  may  she  love  to  linger  in  this  town,  being  cherished  and  loved 
so  long  as  there  shall  remain  a  single  inhabitant  in  it. 

By  John  Wes'ton,  Esq.  —  The  pilgrims,  our  ancestors.  May  we  imi- 
tate their  virtues  and  shun  their  vices. 

By  Hubbard  Emerson,  Esq.,  of  Lynnfield  —  The  Genealogical  Tree 
of  the  Ancestors  of  Reading.  May  it  continue  to  bud  and  blossom ;  and 
the  fruit  thereof  never  fall  until  it  is  ripe  for  the  harvest. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  461 

The  Memory  of  Col.  Daniel  Flint,  a  Revolutionary  Soldier.  One 
whose  numerous  virtues,  as  a  Christian  and  peace-maker,  are  still  held 
in  estimation  by  all  who  knew  him.  May  the  earth  rest  lightly  on  his 
ashes. 

By  Dr.  Joseph  Poland. —  Our  Social,  Civil,  and  Religious  Institutions. 
They  cost  great  efforts,  great  suffering  —  much  treasure,  much  blood  ; 
but  not  one  half  what  they  are  worth. 

George  Bancroft,  the  accomplished  historian  of  the  United  States. 
Although  sprung  from  us,  he  belongs  to  the  nation. 

William  F.  Harnden,  the  originator  of  the  Express  system.  Would 
we  acquire  the  distinction  of  our  former  townsman,  let  us  emulate  his 
energy  and  enterprise. 

By  Calvin  Temple.  —  The  Inhabitants  of  old  Reading.  One  hundred 
years  hence,  when  our  posterity  shall  "celebrate  the  third  centennial 
anniversary  of  the  incorporation  of  this  town,  may  we,  -'  by  faith  and 
patience,''  have  obtained  seats  in  that  pavilion  of  God  "  not  made  with 
hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens." 

A  little  before  the  sun  had  hid  his  face  beyond  the  western  hills, 
this  happy  company,  having  enjoyed  one  of  the  most  pleasant  meetings 
that  has  ever  fallen  to  their  lot ;  with  no  accident  to  mar  their  enjoy- 
ment, and  naught  to  cast  a  gloom,  save  the  thought  that,  before  another 
anniversary  of  a  similar  character  shall  dawn  on  the  mother,  all  her 
children  that  have  participated  in  the  joyous  scenes  of  this  shall  be 
sleeping  beneath  the  clods  of  the  valley  —  adjourned  for  one  hundred 
years  I 


462  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


CHAPTER    XL 


HISTORICAL  RECORDS  OF  THE  TOWN  OF  WAKEFIELD, 

FROM    1844  TO    1874,  WITH  IMPORTANT  TOWN  ACTION,  ESTABLISHMENT 

OF   NEW   STREETS  ;  AND  LIST  OF   PROFESSIONAL  SONS  AND 

GRADUATES   OF   READING  AND   WAKEFIELD. 

1845.  —  The  Extension  of  the  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad  from 
Wilmington,  through  Reading,  Wakefield,  and  Maiden,  to  Boston,  was 
this  year  completed,  and  passenger  cars  were  first  regularly  run  on 
July  4th. 

The  prediction  of  some  of  our  leading  citizens,  made  before  the 
Legislative  Committee,  previously,  "  that  South  Reading  would  prob- 
ably furnish  as  many  as  thirty  daily  passengers"  has  been  abundantly 
realized.  (See  Railroad  Statistics,  Chap.  XII.) 

Chestnut  and  Railroad  Streets  were  this  year  laid  out. 

While  workmen  were  employed  in  the  removal  of  a  portion  of  the 
hill,  at  the  northerly  end  of  "  Smith's  Pond,"  a  human  skeleton  was 
discovered,  a  fuller  description  of  which  will  be  found  elsewhere  in 
this  history. 

March  3. — Town  voted,  "That  the  Superintending  School  Commit- 
tee be  hereby  authorized  to  establish  an  English  High  School,  for  the 
ensuing  year,  to  commence  as  soon  as  may  be  feasible,  to  be  taught 
by  a  competent  master ;  the  scholars  for  which  to  be  selected  by  said 
committee  from  the  several  Primary  Schools,  in  accordance  with  such 
rules  as  shall  be  adopted  for  that  purpose ;  provided,  that  the  whole 
of  instruction,  rent,  and  incidental  expenses  for  said  school,  shall  not 
exceed  the  sum  of  $600." 

Also,  voted,  "  That  in  the  event  such  a  High  School  is  established, 
as  above  provided,  the  several  Primary  Schools  may  be  taught  wholly 
by  female  instructors." 

August  18. — Town  voted,  "That  the  Selectmen,  for  the  time  being, 
be  a  committee,  from  henceforth,  to  oppose  by  all  legal  measures,  the 
drawing  of  either  of  the  pbnds  belonging  to  this  town,  below  their 
natural  level." 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


463 


1846,  December  26.  —  Town  voted,  "  To  proceed  to  ballot  for  a  new 
Town  name,"  with  the  following  result :  — 

For  Winthrop,  seventy-one  ;  So.  Reading,  thirty-five  ;  Florence,  six ; 
Shawmut,  five ;  Calais,  five  ;  Lakeville,  four  ;  Vernon  and  Greenville, 
one  each. 

Accordingly,  a  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  petitioned  the 
Legislature  that  the  name  of  Winthrop  might  be  assumed,  instead  of 
So.  Reading,  which  petition  was  not  granted. 

This  year,  the  Lakeside  Cemetery  Association  was  organized. 


1847. — The  academy  building  was  purchased  by  the  town  for  the 
use  of  the  high  school. 

The  town  petitioned  for  a  portion  of  Stoneham  to  be  annexed 
thereto. 

First  steam  mill  in  Reading  erected. 

Grove,  Linden,  and  Bow  Streets  were  laid  out,  and  the  several  lines 
of  road  in  the  town  were  this  year  named,  as  follows  :  — 

ist.  From  Reading  to  Maiden,  through  the  centre  of  the  town, 
"  Main  Street  " ; 

2d.  From  Reading  Line,  near  Jona.  Brown's  to  the  late  Daniel 
Gould's  est#e,  "  Lowell  Street " ; 

3d.  From  Eaton's  corner,  easterly,  to  Lynnfield  Line,  "Salem 
Street " ; 

4th.     From  the  pond  through  the  Sweetser  farm,  "  Cordis  Street " ; 

5th.     From  Elias  Boardman's  to  E.  S.  Upham's,  "  Pleasant  Street " ; 

6th.     From  Thomas  Skinner's  to  Thomas  Green's,  "  Back  Street "  ; 

yth.     From  the  Common  to  Adam  Wiley's,  "  Mechanic  Street"  ; 

8th.  From  rear  of  Jacob  Eaton's  old  house  to  Sumner  Pratt's, 
"  Eaton  Street "  ; 

gth.     From  Baptist  Church  to  Leonard  Wiley's,  "  Crescent  Street "  ; 

xoth.     From  Fred.  Slocomb's  to  Saugus  Line,  "Water  Street"  ; 

nth.  From  Paul  Sweetser's  corner  to  Saugus  Line,  "Nahant 
Street " ; 

1 2th.     From  Jotham  Walton's  corner,  easterly,  "  Oak  Street " ; 

i3th.     From  John  Brown,  Jr.'s,  to  Stoneham  Line,  "  Brown  Street "  ; 

1 4th.  From  the  Common,  along  by  the  Depot,  to  Stoneham  Line, 
"  Albion  Street "  ; 

1 5th.  From  the  Depot,  northerly,  to  highway  near  J.  W.  Atwell's 
shop,  "  Railroad  Street "  ; 

i6th.     From  Daniel  Norcross'  to  the  Railroad,  "  Chestnut  Street "  ; 


464 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


i7th.  From  B.  B.  Wiley's  store  to  Old  Meeting  House,  "Common 
Street "  ; 

1 8th.  From  Eaton's  corner,  westerly,  to  Cowdrey's  Hill,  "  Church 
Street " ; 

igth.  From  Old  Prentiss  House  to  William  Deadman's,  "Lafayette 
Street " ; 

2oth.  From  foot  of  Cowdrey's  Hill,  westerly,  to  Woburn  Line, 
"  Prospect  Street  " ; 

2ist.     From  James  Emerson's  to  Stoneham  Line,  "  Cedar  Street " ; 

22d.  From  Davis  Foster's,  around  the  hill,  to  Prospect  Street, 
"  Brook  Street " ; 

23d.  From  foot  of  Cowdrey's  Hill,  northerly,  to  Reading  Line, 
"  Elm  Street "  ; 

24th.  From  Daniel  Nichols',  northerly,  to  Lynnfield  Line,  "  Vernon 
Street "  ; 

25th.  From  near  David  Pratt's  house,  easterly,  to  Lynnfield  Line, 
"  Pine  Street  " ; 

26th.  From  Leonard  Walton's,  westerly,  to  Stoneham  Line, "  Green- 
wood Street " ; 

27th.  From  house  of  J.  H.  Sweet,  northwesterly,  to  Reading  Line, 
"  Hopkins  Street  " ; 

28th.  From  the  Town  House  to  the  Pond,  "  Pond  Street "  ;  and 
the  upper  lake  was  designated  as  "  Quannapowitt,"  while  the  lower  one 
received  the  title  of  "  Wappahtuck." 

1849. — The  several  school  districts  had  their  boundaries  particu- 
larly defined  and  established. 

"  Wiley  "  Street  was  laid  out,  and  "  Greenwood  "  Street  (which  was 
laid  out  in  1828,  and  no  record  thereof  made)  was  re-laid  out  and 
established. 

1850  —  "Avon  "  Street  and  "Eaton  Court"  were  this  year  laid  out. 

Dr.  T.  Scott  Lambert  presented  sixty-two  copies  of  his  work,  enti- 
tled, "  Popular  Anatomy  and  Physiology,"  and  the  thanks  of  the  town 
were  duly  returned  therefor. 

/ 

1851. — Town  voted,  "That  the  members  of  the  Engine  Company, 
not  exceeding  forty-five  in  number,  and  containing  none  under  18  years 
of  age,  be  paid  for  their  services  the  sum  of  $5  each,  per  annum,  and, 
in  addition  thereto,  have  the  amount  of  their  Poll  taxes  refunded." 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  465 

. — This  year  the  town  adopted  the  principle  of  the  "  Maine 
Law." 

"Park,"  "North  Mechanic,"  "Broad,"  "Sweetser,"  and  "School" 
Streets  were  laid  out. 

The  "  Yale  "  engine  was  purchased,  and  a  new  engine  house  ordered 
to  be  erected. 

1853.— "Richardson,"  "Melvin,"  "Farm,"  and  "Forest"  Streets 
were  laid  out,  and  "  Pearl "  Street  was  accepted,  conditionally. 

Town  of  North  Reading  was  this  year  incorporated. 

New  engine  house  in  South  Reading  was  erected,  and  a  system  of 
rules  and  orders  for  the  government  of  town-meetings,  including,  also, 
the  plurality  rule,  were  this  year  adopted. 

1854.  —  The  Eastern  Railroad  asked  of  the  Legislature  leave  to  dis- 
continue a  portion  of  the  South  Reading  Branch,  between  South  Read- 
ing and  South  Danvers,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  by  the  town, 
and  instructed  to  oppose  such  a  discontinuance. 

Fire  department  this  year  established. 

1856.  — A  new  town  almshouse  was  this  year  erected,  and  a  public 
town  library  was  authorized. 

"  Gould  "  Street  was  laid  out,  and  Chestnut  Street  was  extended. 

1857.  —  Town  voted  to  receive  a  sum  of  money  from  Ezra  Eaton,  of 
Boston,  and  to  appropriate  the  interest  of  the  same  in  keeping  his 
burial  lot  and  tomb  in  good  condition. 

The  Constitutional  Amendment,  requiring  voters  to  be  able  to  read 
and  write,  was  this  year  adopted,  eighty-eight  to  nine. 

Town  voted,  "  That  hereafter  the  Annual  Town-Meetings  shall  be 
held  in  April,  instead  of  in  March." 

"  Washington  "  and  "  Lake  "  Streets  were  this  year  established. 

1858.  —  Greenwood  school-house  was  removed  from  its  former  site, 
on  Main  Street,  to  its  present  location  on  Oak  Street. 

1859. — The  "old  church"  (Congregational)  was  removed  from  its 
former  to  its  present  position,  and  was  thoroughly  remodelled. 

The  town -changed  the  name  of  that  portion  of  its  territory  long 
known  as  the  "  East  Ward,"  to  that  of  "  Montrose." 
59 


466 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


The  common  was  drained  and  graded,  and  a  change  of  grade  was 
made  in  high  school  yard. 

The  old  bell  was  removed  to  the  town  house. 

The  Yale  engine  house,  of  wood,  was  burned,  and  a  new  one,  of 
brick,  was  erected. 

The  Jewish  Cemetery,  on  the  western  border  of  Lake  Quannapowitt, 
was  laid  out. 

1860.  — Town  accepted  and  adopted  report  of  a  committee,  previ- 
ously appointed  to  estimate  the  expense  of  fencing  the  public  com- 
mon ;  said  committee  estimating  the  expense  of  said  work  at  seven 
hundred  dollars.  The  same  committee  being  authorized  to  secure  the 
completion  of  said  work,  it  was  accordingly  erected  at  a  cost  of 
$636.75. 

i86i,May. —  Town  voted,  "That  the  treasurer  be  hereby  authorized 
and  directed  to  hire  the  sum  of  five  thousand  dollars,  for  military  pur- 
poses." 

1862,  August  25.  —  Town  voted,  "That  one  hundred  dollars  be  paid 
to  all  who  enlist  in  the  '  Richardson  Light  Guard,'  for  service  under  the 
nine  months'  call,  provided  that  they  receive  no  bounty  from  any 
other  town,  and  that  they  are  at  this  time  residents  of  the  town  of 
South  Reading." 

Sept.  8. — Town  voted,  "That  such  citizens  of  South  Reading  as 
are  serving  in  the  ranks  of  the  Federal  Army,  whose  settlement  at  the 
tune  of  enlistment  was  in  this  town,  and  who  have  not  received  a 
bounty  from  the  town,  shall  each  receive  from  the  town  treasury,  at 
the  expiration  of  such  service,  or  honorable  discharge  therefrom,  the 
sum  of  one  hundred  dollars ;  and  to  such  as  may  fall  in  battle,  or  die 
in  such  service,  it  shall  be  paid  to  the  widow  of  such  deceased  soldier 
(if  he  leaves  one) ;  otherwise,  to  his  legal  representative :  provided, 
however,  that  the  bounties  shall  not  be  paid  until  the  right  of  the  town 
to  do  so  shall  have  been  secured  by  law ;  provided,  also,  that  in  case 
any  one  of  said  volunteers  has  received  of  the  town  aid  for  his  family, 
or  those  dependent  upon  him  for  support,  to  a  larger  amount  than 
is  refunded  by  the  State,  such  excess  of  aid  thus  furnished,  shall  be 
deducted  from  the  bounty  now  voted." 

1864,  April. — Town  voted,  "That  the  selectmen  be  instructed  to 
take  measures  for  the  placing  of  a  gate,  or  flag-man,  at  the  R.  R.  cross- 
ing on  Salem  Street,  near  the  residence  of  William  Brown." 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


467 


Also  voted,  "  That  the  town  appropriate  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  dollars  to  be  paid  to  each  volunteer  enlisted  and  completely  mus- 
tered into  the  military  service  of  the  United  States,  as  a  part  of  the 
quota  of  South  Reading,  under  the  last  call  of  the  President  for 
200,000  men." 

1865.  May. — Town  voted,  "That  Lilley  Eaton,  in  preparing  a  his- 
tory of  South  Reading,  be  authorized  to  expend  such  sums  as  may  be 
necessary  to  secure  facts  and  other  material  for  the  work,  and  present 
the  bills  to  the  town  for  payment." 

1866.  —  Town  chose  a  committee  to  co-operate  with  a  similar  com- 
mittee from  the  town  of  Lynnfield,  to  make  application  to  the  Supreme 
Judicial  Court,  for  the  enforcement  of  the  contract  between  the  East- 
ern Railroad  and  the  South  Reading  Branch  R.  R.  corporations. 

"  Yale  Avenue  "  was  laid  out  and  accepted. 

1867.  —  "Franklin"  Street,  and  a  new  street  from  Albion  Street, 
southerly,  to  Broadway,  were  laid  out. 

1868.  January  20.  — Town  chose  a  building  committee  to  superintend 
the  erection  of  a  new  town  hall  building,  the  gift  of  Cyrus  Wakefield, 
Esq.,  of  which  committee  Mr.  Wakefield  was  chairman. 

Town  also  voted,  "That  the  selectmen  be  directed  to  prepare  a 
petition  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  town,  to  be  presented  to  the 
Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  praying  that  the  name  of  the  town  of 
South  Reading  may  be  changed  to  that  of  Wakefield." 

(N.  B.  For  a  fuller  account  of  these  matters,  see  Appendix  M 
and  P.) 

April.  —  Hon.  Lilley  Eaton,  chairman  of  library  trustees,  presented 
their  annual  report,  and  thereupon  it  was  voted,  "  That  in  considera- 
tion of  the  fact  that  Lucius  Beebe,  Esq.,  had  presented  for  the  use  of 
the  library,  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars,  the  thanks  of  the  town  be 
presented  for  his  generous  gift,  and  that  the  public  library  be  hereafter 
known  as  the  "  Beebe  Public  Library  of  Wakefield." 

New  Street  laid  out  and  accepted,  from  Gould  to  Albion  Streets. 

1869.  —  The  improvement  and  drainage  of  Main  Street,  in  accord- 
ance  with    recommendation   of   a  committee,   was    authorized    and 
effected. 

"  Bryant "  Street  laid  out ;  also,  a  new  street  from  Water  to  Vernon 
Streets. 


468 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


And  a  new  street  was  laid  out  from  Greenwood  to  Brown  Streets, 
the  expense  of  which  was  to  be  assessed  upon  the  owners  of  adjoining 
lands,  according  to  law.  This  street  was  subsequently  named  "  Myrtle 
Avenue." 

1870.  —  "  Centre  "  and  "  Traverse  "  Streets  were  laid  out. 

1871.  —  The  name  of  "Washington  Street"  was  changed  to  that  of 
"  Foundry  Street" 

May  i.  —  Town  voted,  "  That  the  committee,  appointed  for  the  pur- 
pose of  ascertaining  the  cost  of  land",  which  was  desired  for  the  exten- 
sion of  the  common,  be  instructed  and  authorized  to  purchase  said 
land  for  such  purpose,  in  accordance  with  a  plan  "submitted  by  said 
committee,  provided  that,  in  their  judgment,  the  jfrices  are  reasonable, 
and,  for  the  payment  of. the  same,  the  treasurer,  is  hereby  authorized 
to  hire  a  sum,  not  exceeding  nineteen  thousand  six  hundred  dollars, 
for  a  term  of  ten  years." 


RESOLUTIONS  ADOPTED  BY  THE  TOWN. 

"  Whereas,  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Esq.,  in  accordance  with  an  offer  pre- 
viously made,  and  with  a  liberality  scarcely  paralleled,  at  his  own 
expense  has  erected  a  town  house,  massive  and  graceful  in  its  propor- 
tions, elegant  in  its  architecture  and  appointments,  ample  and  conven- 
ient for  the  purposes  which  were  contemplated  in  its  construction,  and 
has  presented  the  same  for  the  unrestricted  use  of  the  citizens  of 
Wakefield,  therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  we,  the  said  citizens,  in  town-meeting  assembled,  in 
approval  and  endorsement  of  the  acts  of  our  municipal  officers  which 
marked  their  reception  of  this  building,  hereby  tender  to  Cyrus  Wake- 
field,  Esq.,  this  sincere  and  unanimous  expression  of  our  gratitude  for 
his  munificent  donation. 

"Resolved,  That,  fully  recognizing  and  appreciating  the  magnitude  of 
the  gift,  as  well  as  the  benefits  it  confers,  we  will  use  our  best  endeav- 
ors to  preserve  this  building  in  its  original  beauty  and  attractiveness,  — 
and  so  transmit  it,  unimpaired,  to  our  children,  that  they  also  may 
hold  the  generous  donor  in  grateful  remembrance." 

May  i.  —  Town  voted,  "That  the  sum  of  thirty-two  thousand  five 
hundred  dollars  be  appropriated  for  the  purchase  of  land  on  the  corner 
of  Common  and  Lafayette  Streets,  and  for  the  erection  of  a  school 
building  thereon." 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  469 

Town  voted,  "  That  the  sum  of  seven  thousand  dollars  be  appro- 
priated for  the  purchase  of  land  near  the  junction  of  Franklin  and 
Nahant  Streets,  and  for  the  erection  of  a  school-house  thereon." 

Town  voted,  "  That  the  town  treasurer  be  authorized  to  hire  the  sum 
of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  for  the  term  of  five  years,  and  the  further 
sum  of  nineteen  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  for  the  term  of  ten 
years." 

"  Emerald  "  Street  and  "  Fitch  Court "  were  this  year  laid  out  and 
accepted. 

August  14. — .Town  voted,  "To  purchase  one  chemical,  self-acting 
fire  engine,  manufactured  by  the  N.  E.  Fire  Extinguisher  Co.,  of 
Northampton,"  and  a  committee  was  authorized  to  make  the  purchase. 

Oct.  2.  —  Town  voted,  "That  the  engineers  be  authorized  to  erect  a 
suitable  engine  house,  in  Montrose,  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
engine  to  be  purchased  by  the  citizens  of  that  district."  '• 

"  Lawrence  "  Street  waj  accepted. 


1872,  Jan.  8.  —  Town  voted,  "  That  the  treasurer  be  authorized  to  hfre 
the  sum  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  by  the  issue  of  notes  or  bonds, 
for  a  term  not  exceeding  ten  years,  for  the  purpose  of  funding  a  portion 
of  the  town  debt,  due  on  demand,  and  for  re-funding  that  portion  of  the 
funded  debt  maturing  the  present  year." 

April  i.  —  Town  voted,  "To  change  the  names  of  'Bow'  and 
'  Grove  '  Streets,  to  '  Railroad '  Street." 

Town  voted,  "  To  purchase  a  hook  and  ladder  carriage,  at  a  cost  not 
exceeding  one  thousand  dollars." 

Town  voted,  "  That  the  sum  of  twenty  thousand  dollars  be  appro- 
priated] for  the  finishing  and  furnishing  of  the  new  high  school-house, 
and  that  the  treasurer  be  authorized  to  hire  that  sum  for  a  term  of 
ten  years,  by  the  issue  of  bonds." 

Town  voted,  "  That  the  sum  of  four  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  be 
raised  and  appropriated  for  the  erection  of  a  new  school-house  in  the 
Woodville  district." 

"  Highland  "  and  "  Cedar  "  Streets  were  laid  out  and  accepted. 

New  streets  were  also  laid  out  and  accepted,  as  follows :  from  Water 
Street,  near  the  Centre  depot,  easterly,  to  Water  Street,  near  Mr.  J. 
Colman's  house  ;  and  from  Vernon  Street,  easterly  and  southerly,  to 
Melvin  Street. 

Novembers.  —  The  following  communication  was  presented  to  the 
town,  by  the  chairman  of  the  selectmen :  — 


47° 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


To  the  Selectmen  of  Wakefield,  Mass. 

I,  Harriet  N.  P'lint,  as  an  expression  of  my  regard  for  the  town 
of  my  nativity,  propose  to  give  to  the  town  of  Wakefield  the  sum  of 
one  thousand  dollars  ;  the  same  to  be  held  in  trust  by  the  treasurer 
of  said  town,  and  the  interest  thereof,  and  that  only,  to  be  annually 
expended  in  the  purchase  of  books  for  the  Beebe  Town  Library. 

It  is  my  desire  that  the  interest,  as  above,  should  be  annually  paid  by 
the  town  treasurer  to  the  treasurer  of  said  library,  that  the  books 
should  be  selected  by  the  library  trustees,  and  that,  upon  the  accept- 
ance of  this  fund  by  the  town,  it  should  be  designated  and  known  as 
"  The  Flint  Memorial  Fund.' 

Witness,  (Signed)  HARRIET   N.   FLINT. 

L.  B.  EVANS, 

Edward  Mansfield,  Esq.,  then  offered  the  following  resolutions, 
which  were  unanimously  adopted  :  — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  generous  proposal  of  Mrs.  Harriet  N.  Flint  to 
present  to  the  town  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars,  for  the  purpose 
set  forth  in  her  communication  to  the  selectmen,  is  hereby  gratefully 
accepted  by  the  citizens  of  Wakefield,  in  town  meeting  assembled. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  town  treasurer  be  hereby  authorized  to  receive 
the  said  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  in  trust,  and  that  he  be  instructed 
faithfully  to  comply  with  the  wishes  expressed  by  the  liberal  donor,  as 
to  the  disposition  of  the  same. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  cordial  thanks  of  the  citizens  of  Wakefield  are 
hereby  tendered  to  Mrs.  Flint,  for  her  eminent  generosity ;  and  that 
the  town  clerk  be  instructed  to  forward  to  her  a  copy  of  these  resolu- 
tions." 

1873,  Feb.  10.  —  Town  voted,  "That  the  selectmen  be  authorized 
and  instructed  to  draft  and  present  to  the  Legislature  a  bill  for  the 
purpose  of  authorizing  the  town  of  Wakefield  to  pay  such  bounties  to 
any  soldiers  (who  served  in  the  recent  war  and  were  credited  to  the 
quota  of  said  town)  as  they  shall  deem  expedient." 

April  7. — Town  voted,  "That  the  rule  adopted  by  the  town  at  a 
previous  meeting,  requiring  the  votes  for  town  officers  to  be  cast  on 
one  ballot,  be  suspended  and  abolished." 

Town  voted,  "  That  the  selectmen  be  instructed  to  appear  before  the 
County  Commissioners  of  this  county,  at  their  meeting  in  Cambridge, 
and  in  behalf  of  the  town,  protest  against  any  further  assessments 
being  laid  upon  the  town  for  the  support  of  Maiden  Bridge." 


OF   THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


471 


Town  voted,  "  That  J.  S.  Eaton,  Lucius  Beebe,  Richard  Britton,  and 
Chester  W.  Eaton,  be  a  committee  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the 
completion  and  publication  of  the  '  Town  History  '  (left  incomplete  at 
the  decease  of  the  late  Hon.  Lilley  Eaton),  in  accordance  with  a  report 
from  the  selectmen  ;  the  town  assuming  an  expense  therefor  not  exceed- 
ing the  sum  of  twenty-five  hundred  dollars." 


PROFESSIONAL. 
LIST  OF  GRADUATES. 


Samuel  Bacheller, 
Daniel  Emerson, 
Joseph  Swain, 
Aaron  Putnam, 
Elias  Smith, 
Jacob  Emerson, 
Samuel  Dix, 
Amos  Sawyer, 
Samuel  S.  Poole, 
Jacob  Burnap, 
Martin  Herrick, 
Jacob  Herrick, 
Brown  Emerson, 
William  Hobby,  Jr., 
Aaron  Bancroft, 
Edmund  Foster, 
Nathaniel  Parker, 
Micah  Stone, 
Jacob  Flint, 
Charles  Prentiss, 
Reuben  Emerson, 
Timothy  Flint, 
James  Flint, 
Elias  Upton, 
Nathan  Parker, 
Thomas  Pratt, 
Samuel  Green, 
Samuel  Hart, 
Jona.  Weston, 


GRAD.              COLLEGE. 

DIED. 

1731,        Harvard. 

1796 

1739, 

1801 

1744, 

1792 

1752, 

1813 

1753, 

1792 

1756, 

1811 

1758, 

1797 

1765, 

1769 

1770, 

1836 

1770, 

1821 

1772,           " 

1820 

1777, 

1832 

1778, 

Died  Sen.  y'r.     " 

1778, 

l839 

1778,         Yale. 

1826 

1779,         Harvard. 

1792 

1790, 

1852 

1794, 

1835 

1795, 

1820 

1798,       Dartmouth. 

1800,        Harvard. 

1840 

1802, 

1855 

1802,           " 

1857 

1803, 

1833 

1815, 

1820 

1816,           " 

1817, 


4/2 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Daniel  Temple, 
John  Batchelder, 
Amos  B.  Lambert, 
J.  M.  Nelson, 
Thomas  Sawyer, 
Cyrus  Nichols, 
Warren  Nichols, 
Charles  M.  Emerson, 
William  Gage, 
George  Nichols, 
Benj.  W.  Parker, 
Stillman  Pratt, 
Horace  P.  Wakefield, 
John  S.  Wallace, 
Francis  Smith, 
William  F.  Wallace, 
Wm.  Wakefield,  Jr., 
Pliny  F.  Sanborn, 
Thos.  M.  Symonds, 
Fred.  Wiley, 
Fred.  S.  Wiley, 
Wm.  L.  Brown, 
T.  Albert  Emerson, 
Henry  Putnam, 
Charles  Hewes, 
Aaron  H.  Sawyer, 
E.  A.  Upton, 
C.  W.  Eaton, 
Edwin  Sweetser, 
Alfred  Sweetser, 
Joseph  Burditt, 
M.  Hutchinson, 


Joshua  Prescott. 
A.  A.  Prescott. 
Solon  Bancroft. 
Carroll  D.  Wright. 


GRAB. 
I8l7, 
1823, 

(Expelled), 


1839, 
1840, 

1847, 


1855, 
1859. 


COLLEGE. 

Dartmouth. 
Harvard. 

Brown. 


DIED. 

1851 


1826, 
1828, 
1828, 
1829, 
1831, 

l832, 

1832, 

i*37» 

Dartmouth. 
Amherst. 
Harvard. 
Amherst. 

Yale. 
Brown. 

Amherst. 
K 

Waterville. 
Brown. 

Waterville. 
« 

Yale. 


Dartmouth. 
« 

Tufts. 

Waterville. 

Harvard. 


LAWYERS. 

IN  READING. 

Francis  A.  Fabens. 

Chauncy  P.  Judd. 

B.  M.  Hartshorn. 

Fuller. 

George  Minot. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


473 


William  Nichols. 
Martin  L.  Stow. 
H.  F.  Barstow. 
O.  B.  Potter. 
E.  A.  Upton.      ' 
C.  W.  Eaton. 


Thomas  Sawyer. 


IN  WAKEFIELD. 

E.  M.  Cunningham. 
R.  Rantoul,  Jr. 
William  St.  A.  Stearns. 
William  L.  Brown. 
J.  O.  Boswell. 
S.  K.  Hamilton. 
C.  F.  Blandin. 

In  NORTH  READING. 

Henry  Putnam. 


John  Brooks. 
Nathan  Perry. 
John  Hart,  Jr. 
Abner  Phelps. 
Daniel  Gould. 
S.  H.  Spaulding. 
F.  F.  Dole. 
F.  F.  Brown. 
J.  H.  Hannaford. 

James  Stimpson. 
Eben  Stimpson. 
Benjamin  Swain. 
Thomas  Swain,  2d. 
William  Hay. 
John  Hart. 
S.  O.  Richardson. 
S.  A.  Toothaker. 
Jos.  D.  Mansfield. 
Josiah  Poland. 
Josiah  Norcross. 
M.  S.  Brown. 
W.  W.  Eaton. 
J.  R.  Mansfield. 

60 


PHYSICIANS. 
IN  READING. 

Nathaniel  Parker. 

Skilton. 

Nathan  Richardson. 
Samuel  Hart. 
Kendall  Davis. 
H.  P.  Wakefield. 
John  N.  Sanborn. 
Leonard  Block. 
M.  Berry. 

IN  WAKEFIELD. 

William  Stimpson. 
Jeremiah  Swain. 
Thomas  Swain,  ist. 
Oliver  Swain. 
John  Hay. 
Nathan  Richardson. 
Thaddeus  Spaulding. 
Jo^iah  Abbott. 
Wm.  H.  Willis. 
W.  W.  Cutler. 
J.  G.  Brown. 
Charles  Jordan. 
S.  W.  Abbott, 
E.  P.  Colby. 
Azel  Ames,  Jr. 


474 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Daniel  Putnam. 
Jacob  Goodwin. 


IN  NORTH  READING. 

Martin  Herrick. 
D.  A.  Grosvenor. 


PROFESSIONAL    SONS    OF    READING,   WHO   SETTLED    IN    OTHER 

PLACES. 


Rev, 


,  S.  Bacheller. 

David  Emerson. 

Jacob  Emerson. 

Joseph  Swain. 

Amos  B.  Lambert. 

Samuel  Green. 

Frederic  Wiley. 

Edwin  Sweetser. 

Samuel  Nichols. 

Winfield  S.  Hawkes. 

Joshua  Burnham. 

Charles  Bryant. 
Charles  Hay. 
Samuel  Hart. 
Harris  Cowdrey. 
L.  M.  Yale. 
R.  E.  Smiley. 
Abram  Gould. 


Prof.  B.  F.  Tweed. 
"    J.  C.  Emerson. 
"     C.  M.  Emerson,  Esq. 
"     Harrison  Tweed,  Esq. 


Dr. 
u 


Rev.  Elias  Smith. 

"     George  Evans. 

"     Brown  Emerson. 

«     William  Gage. 

"     Francis  Smith. 

"  'Fred.  S.Wiley. 

"    T.  A.  Emerson. 

"     A.  H.  Sweetser. 

"     Michael  Burditt. 

"     Ebenezer  Nelson,  Jr. 

"     B.  W.  Atwell. 

"     Granville  S.  Abbott. 
Dr.  John  Hart. 
"     B.  B.  Emerson. 
"     Alex.  Poole. 
"     J.  M.  Eaton. 
"     Daniel  Gould. 
"     L.  E.  Emerson. 
Dr.  T.  S.  Lambert. 

Prof.  B.  Badger,  Jr. 

"     George  A.  Walton. 

"     Charles  A.  Tweed,  Esq. 

"     T.  B.  Brown,  Esq. 


COLLEGE  GRADUATES  OF  READING. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  persons  who  have  graduated  from  college 
while  belonging  to  this  town  :  — 

Rev.  Samuel  Batcheller,  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1731, 
was  settled  as  pastor  in  the  West  parish  in  Haverhill  in  1735.  *n  ^^^9 
and  1770,  he  was  representative  from  that  town.  He  died  in  March, 
1796,  in  Royalston,  Mass.  Chase,  in  the  History  of  Haverhill,  calls 
him  a  man  of  superior  talents  and  attainments. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


475 


Samuel  S.  Poole,  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  class  of  1770.  He 
took  sides  with  the  Tories  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  like  many 
others  of  that  class  when  they  "  wanted  more  room,"  he  removed  to 
Nova  Scotia,  where  he  became  a  judge.  He  lived  oh  the  place  for- 
merly owned  by  Dea.  Wakefield,  in  the  easterly  part  of  the  town. 

Rev.  Jacob  Burnap,  D.  D.,  son  of  Isaac,  Harvard  College,  class  of 
1770.  Was  ordained  first  pastor  of  the  first  church  in  Merrimac,  N.  H., 
Oct.  14,  1772,  "in  which  honorable  position,"  says  his  historian,  "  he 
remained  until  his  death,  Dec.  6,  1821,  a  period  of  more  than  forty- 
nine  years." 

Rev.  Aaron  Bancroft,  D.  D.,  son  of  Samuel,  Esq.,  Harvard,  class  of 
1778,  settled  in  Worcester  in  1785,  where  he  died  in  1839,  aged  84. 
He  was  father  of  George  Bancroft  the  historian,  and  published  several 
works.  He  shouldered  his  musket  as  a  volunteer  at  Lexington  and 
Bunker  Hill. 

Rev.  Edmund  Foster,  a  graduate  of  Yale,  1778,  was  ordained  third 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Littleton,  in  1781.  He  died  in  1826.  Early  in 
the  war  of  the  Revolution  he  was  very  active  in  the  cause  of  the  people, 
and  was  one  of  the  minute  men  that  enlisted  under  the  command  of 
Dr.  (afterward  Gov.)  John  Brooks,  who  then  resided  here. 

Nathaniel  Parker,*  Harvard,  class  of  1779,  studied  medicine,  and 
settled  at  Salem. 

Thomas  Pratt,  son  of  Isaac,  lived  where  N.  P.  Pratt,  Esq.,  now  lives, 
graduated  at  Dartmouth,  1798.  Spent  some  time  as  teacher,  and 
finally  became  a  merchant  at  Mechanicsburg,  Pa. 

Rev.  Nathan  Parker,  Harvard,  1803.  Became  D.  D.,  and  settled  in 
Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  where  he  remained  as  pastor  nearly  thirty  years. 
He  is  said  to  have  been  "  successful  almost  without  a  parallel  in  the 
ministries  of  the  growing  denomination  to  which  he  belonged."  Those 
who  remember  him  say  he  was  a  man  of  talent,  genial,  and  very  unas- 
suming. He  was  born  and  lived  where  Mr.  James  Davis  resides, 
and  was  brother  of  Hon.  Edmund  Parker. 

Jonathan  D.  Weston,  son  of  Capt.  Jonathan,  Cambridge,  1802. 
Became  a  prominent  lawyer,  removed  to  Eastport,  Me.  Said  to  have 
been  "  one  of  the  smartest  men  ever  raised  in  Reading."  He  served 
also  as  collector  of  the  port.  There  was  a  Judge  Weston,  at  Eastport, 
erroneously  supposed  by  some  to  have  been  Jonathan,  the  lawyer. 

Elias  Upton,  Harvard,  1802,  lived  for  a  time  with  his  brother  where 
Dr.  Kimball  lives.  Was  a  successful  teacher.  Went  to  Blue  Hill, 
Me. 

Daniel  Temple,  Dartmouth,  class  of  1817;    Andover  Theological 


476  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Seminary  in  1820;  ordained  in  1821 ;  went  as  a  missionary  to  Malta 
in  1822  ;  removed  to  Smyrna  in  1833 ;  returned  to  the  United  States 
in  1844;  died  August  9,  1851,  at  the  house  of  his  brother,  Dea.  M.  M. 
Temple,  at  the  age  of  61,  and  was  buried  in  this  town.  His  funeral 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Mr.  Goodell,  the  Missionary  with  whom 
he  had  long  been  associated,  both  as  a  classmate  and  in  missionary 
interests.  Mr.  Goodell  said  "  among  the  various  nations  and  tribes 
and  sects  of  the  East,  his  name  is  held  in  high  estimation.  .  .  .  He 
evidently  endeavored  to  be  as  upright,  sincere,  cordial,  gentle,  kind, 
benevolent,  economical,  true,  and  good,  as  he  expected  everybody  would 
be  in  the  millennium."  His  life  and  letters,  forming  an  interesting 
volume  of  nearly  500  pages,  were  published  in  1855. 

John  Batchelder,  Harvard,  1823.  He  taught  school  in  Nan  tucket 
for  some  time,  and  in  1827  opened  an  Academy  here  in  a  building 
erected  for  that  purpose  and  designed  in  part  for  a  church,  by  the  Uni- 
tarian society  that  then  existed  in  town.  The  building  stood  on  the 
present  site  of  the  residence  of  Dr.  F.  F.  Brown.  The  school  pros- 
pered for  many  years,  and  numbers  of  young  men  from  this  and  the 
surrounding  towns  were  fitted  here  for  college.  Mr.  Batchelder  was 
succeeded  in  1843  by  a  Mr.  Waitt,  who  soon  gave  up  the  school  here 
and  opened  one  in  Greenwood,  where  the  inebria'te  asylum  of  Dr.  Day 
has  recently  been  established.  The  academy  was  converted  into  a 
dwelling-house,  and  is  now  the  residence  of  H.  G.  Richardson,  Esq. 
Mr.  Batchelder  served  the  town  for  thirty  years  with  distinguished 
ability  as  one  of  their  school  committee,  commencing  in  1828,  and  con- 
tinuing nearly  every  year  until  1863.  He  was  also  once  chosen  Rep- 
resentative to  the  General  Court,  and  served  some  years  as  selectman. 
He  died  July  7,  1871,  aged  80  years  2  months  12  days. 

Rev.  Benj.  Wyman  Parker,  Amherst,  1829;  Andover,  1832.  Went 
as  a  missionary  to  the  Sandwich  Islands  the  same  year.  He  still  re- 
sides there.  He  has  also  a  son  settled  there  as  pastor.  It  is  no  small 
honor  to  have  been  one  of  the  band  that  have  lifted  a  nation  from 
paganism  to  Christianity. 

Rev.  George  Nichols,  son  of  James,  graduated  at  Yale,  and  studied 
theology  at  New  Haven,  but  never  preached  much.  Was  a  successful 
teacher  for  a  term  of  years  at  New  Haven  and  Hadley,  and  for  a  long 
term  at  Springfield,  Mass.,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  46. 

Rev.  Cyrus  Nichols,  brother  of  Rev.  George,  graduated  at  Williams, 
and  studied  theology  at  Auburn.  Has  long  been  in  the  service  of  the 
Home  Missionary  Society,  first  in  Missouri,  now  in  Wisconsin. 

Rev.  Warren  Nichols,  another  brother,  graduated  at  Williams  and 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


477 


Andover,  and  labored  also  in  Missouri  for  the  Home  Mission,  till"  his 
death. 

Adams  Nichols,  M.  D.,  practised  at  Rockport,  Mass.,  but  removed  to 
Quincy,  Illinois,  where  he  has  an  extensive  field  of  labor,  and  is  a  pop- 
ular physician.  He  is  brother  of  the  three  last  named.  Their  sister, 
Mrs.  Oliver  Peabody,  still  resides  here. 

Rev.  Stillman  Pratt,  son  of  Benjamin,  graduate  of  Amherst,  1831, 
studied  theology,  and  graduated  at  Andover.  First  settled  at  Orleans, 
where  he  remained  four  and  a  half  years,  and  preached  at  Eastham  six 
months.  He  then  removed  to  South  Adams,  Mass.,  and  after  doing 
missionary  work  several  years,  succeeded  in  establishing  a  church,  of 
which  he  became  pastor.  After  nine  years  of  labor  at  Adams,  he  re- 
moved to  Melrose,  laboring  among  the  people,  holding  meetings  in 
the  depot,  and  formed  a  church  there,  over  which  he  was  settled  about 
three  years,  and  which,  like  that  at  Adams,  still  continues  to  flourish. 
He  removed  to  Carver,  and  was  pastor  three  years.  He  published  the 
"  Mother's  Assistant "  two  years,  and  the  "  Middleborough  Gazette  " 
from  that  time  to  his  death,  Sept  i,  1862,  at  the  age  of  53  years.  He 
was  the  author  of  four  volumes  published  by  the  Massachusetts  Sabbath 
School  Society,  a  life  of  Gen.  Fremont,  two  editions  of  Sabbath  School 
Questions,  and  a  biographical  catalogue  of  the  class  of  1831,  Amherst 
College,  and  a«  genealogy  of  the  Pratt  family.  Under  his  ministrations 
seventy-one  were  added  to  the  church  in  Orleans,  fifty  at  South  Adams, 
twenty-five  at  Melrose,  fifteen  at  Carver.  His  son,  Stillman  B.  Pratt, 
is  the  present  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Randolph,  Mass.,  "  Register," 
and  of  the  "  American  Workman,"  37  Cornhill,  Boston,  and  was  the 
candidate  of  the  Labor  Reform  Party  for  Secretary  of  State  in  1869. 
Another  son,  Ransom  D.,  is  connected  with  the  Mass.  Bureau  of  Sta- 
tistics. A  third  son,  Thomas  S.,  was  former  editor  of  the  "  Abington 
Standard." 

Horace  P.  Wakefield,  son  of  Dea.  Caleb,  Amherst,  1832,  practising 
physician  at  Oakham,  Mass.,  for  several  years,  where  he  held  the  office 
of  selectman  and  town  clerk,  and  was  twice  elected  as  Representative 
to  the  Legislature.  Returning  to  Reading,  he  was  elected  Senator  for 
this  district,  in  1862,  and  served  one  year,  and  also  as  school  commit- 
tee and  town  clerk  for  several  years,  and  justice  of  the  peace.  He 
then  was  appointed  as  inspector  of  the  almshouse  at  Tewksbury,  and 
afterward  physician  there.  Subsequently  he  was  transferred  to  the 
superintendency  of  the  State  almshouse  at  Monson,  which  he  still 
retains. 

Rev.  William  Wakefield,  son  of  William,  graduated  at  Amherst,  1839, 


478 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


taught  the  South  Reading  Academy  one  year  ;  Codman  School,  Dor- 
chester, about  two  years  ;  graduated  at  Andover,  1845  ;  went  as  Home 
Missionary  to  McConnelsville,  Ohio,  remaining  there  six  years ; 
preached  at  Madison,  Ohio,  three  years.  In  April,  1855,  he  removed 
to  Harmar,  a  village  of  Marietta,  where  he  was  settled  as  pastor  for 
many  years. 

Edward  Hartshorn,  M.  D.,  formerly  of  this  town,  studied  medicine, 
settled  at  Berlin,  has  an  office  in  Boston,  and  is  proprietor  of  the  well- 
known  bitters,  "  Key  to  Health." 

S.  O.  Richardson,  M.  D.,  son  of  Dr.  Nathan,  of  this  town,  resided 
in  Wakefield,  and  was  widely  known  for  his  "  Sherry  Wine  Bitters." 

It  may  not  be  inappropriate  to  quote  here  a  remark  of  Dr.  H.  P. 
Wakefield,  while  physician  at  the  State  almshouse,  in  his  address  at 
the  celebration  in  honor  of  the  change  of  the  name  of  South  Reading 
to  Wakefield.  Referring  playfully  to  Dr.  Richardson,  he  said,  "  he, 
Dr.  Richardson,  engaged  in  the  sale  of  bitters  and  became  wealthy." 
"  I,"  said  Dr.  W.,  "  peddled  pills  and  have  got  into  the  almshouse." 

Jared  Reed,  son  of  Rev.  Jared,  formerly  pastor  of  the  Old  South 
Church,  in  this  town,  graduated  at  Yale,  1846  ;  resides  at  Stockbridge, 
Mass.,  where  he  is  engaged  in  teaching. 

John  S.  Wallis,  Yale,  1832  ;  studied  law  ;  is  now  a  farmer  at  Bolton, 
Mass.  •••;  . 

William  F.  Wallis,  brother  of  John  S.,  studied  at  Yale,  but  died 
probably  before  graduating. 

Rev.  Pliny  F.  Sanborn,  son  of  Rev.  Peter  Sanborn,  Amherst,  class 
of  1840.  Settled  for  some  years  at  West  Bloomfield,  N.  Y.,  now  at 
Springfield,  same  State. 

Rev.  George  E.  Sanborn,  brother  of  Pliny  F.,  Amherst,  1843. 
Preached  at  Georgia,  Vt.,  Mt.  Vernon,  N.  H.,  Northboro',  Mass. ;  and 
is  now  superintendent  of  the  orphan  asylum,  at  Hartford,  Conn. 

Joseph  C.  Sanborn,  M.  D.,  of  the  same  family,  though  not  a  college 
graduate,  is  a  physician  in  Boston. 

George  W.  Symonds,  son  of  Obed,  not  a  college  graduate  ;  studied 
medicine  ;  formerly  was  in  practice  at  Lancaster,  now  at  Clinton. 

Daniel  Temple,  son  of  Charles  ;  not  a  graduate ;  is  a  dentist.  Has 
resided  in  the  Southern  States  ;  he  first  went  there  as  an  agent  of  Dr. 
Morton,  and  engaged  in  introducing  ether  as  an  anaesthetic  in  surgical 
operations. 

Stillman  E.  Parker,  Esq.,  entered  Amherst  College,  1841.  After 
studying  about  two  years,  was  obliged  to  leave  on  account  of  ill  health  ; 
is  now  engaged  in  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  shoes  ;  has  served  on 


Of-    THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


479 


the  school  committee  in  this  town  longer  than  any  other  man,  except- 
ing Mr.  John  Batchelder.  He  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives in  1859,  and  holds  a  commission  as  justice  of  the  peace. 
His  son,  Edward  H.,  spent  one  year  in  the  State  Agricultural  College 
at  Amherst 

Alfred  A.  Prescott  was  a  member  of  the  class  of  1843,  Harvard 
College  ;  began  the  practice  of  law  in  1845  ;  was  register  of  probate 
about  six  years,  1852-8.  Has  always  been  a  resident  of  Reading, 
having  an  office  here. 

Rev.  Thomas  M.  Symonds,  son  of  Eben  D.,  graduate  of  Waterville 
College,  Me.,  1847 ;  Newton  Theological  Seminary,  1850 ;  was  never 
settled  as  a  pastor ;  labored  under  the  directions  of  the  Home  Mis- 
sionary Society  with  a  good  degree  of  success,  at  Green  Bay,  Wis., 
where  he  died  July  5,  1852,  at  the  age  of  31. 

William  L.  Peabody,  son  of  Enoch;  Dartmouth,  1856  ;  studied  law, 
practised  several  years  at  Lynn,  and  is  now  established  in  his  profes- 
sion at  Omaha,  Neb.  In  1873  he  was  elected  judge  of  probate. 

Benjamin  M.  Hartshorn,  son  of  Benjamin,  graduated  at  the  Har- 
vard Law  School,  and  opened  an  office  in  this  town.  He  was  chosen 
for  three  years  as  one  of  the  general  school  committee,  and  in  1867 
was  elected  chairman  of  the  board  of  selectmen.  He  died  the  same 
year,  aged  2  7. 

John  M.  Bancroft,  son  of  Joseph  ;  Dartmouth,  class  of  1859  ;  went  west 
as  civil  engineer  till  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  the  Second  Michigan  Infantry ;  was  in  sixteen  battles  ;  served 
three  years,  and  attained  the  rank  of  captain  ;  he  was  then  offered 
the  colonelcy  of  a  regiment  of  cavalry,  which  he  declined  on  account 
of  health  ;  removed  to  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  was  engaged  for  a  year  or 
two  in  laying  out  the  public  park  there  ;  he  is  now  employed  by  ten 
New  York  insurance  companies,  as  surveyor,  which  gives  him  employ- 
ment in  different  parts  of  the  country,  with  his  principal  office  in  New 
York. 

E.  Bentley  Young,  son  of  Edward  ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth,  1862  ; 
sub-master  in  Brimmer  School,  Boston. 

Wm.  Wallace  Davis,  nearly  two  years  a  student  at  Dartmouth  ;  left 
the  college  and  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  August,  1862  ;  he  received  a 
bullet  wound  in  his  right  wrist  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  on  account 
of  which  he  was  discharged  from  the  service ;  enlisting  again  in 
December,  1863,  in  the  59th  regiment,  he  was  promoted  to  first  lieuten- 
ant the  next  year ;  he  lost  his  left  arm  in  the  battle  of  Petersburg, 
July  30,  1864,  and  again  received  an  honorable  discharge  Nov.  29, 


48o 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


1864.  He  was  a  bookkeeper  in  Boston  several  years,  but  has  now 
resumed  his  profession  as  land  surveyor  and  civil  engineer. 

Solon  Bancroft,  son  of  Emery,  graduated  at  Dartmouth,  1864, 
studied  law,  and  is  now  in  practice ;  has  an  office  here,  and  also  in 
Boston.  He  was  for  some  time  employed  in  teaching  in  one  of  the 
city  schools. 

Oilman  L.  Parker ;  Dartmouth,  1868  ;  is  now  in  business  with  T.  T. 
Briggs,  in  Boston. 

Walter  S.  Parker,  son  of  Henry  F. ;  Dartmouth,  1868 ;  taught 
school  in  Bradford,  Sherborne,  and  at  the  Farm  School,  Thompson's 
Island.  Is  now  sub-master  of  the  Dwight  School,  in  Boston. 

Thomas  Appleton  went  through  the  regular  course  of  study  in  the 
high  school,  and  entered  the  Rensselaer  Polytechnic  Institute  at  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  graduated  in  the  class  of  1868,  with  the  degree  of 
civil  engineer.  He  has  been  employed  on  various  railroads,  and  was 
engaged  for  two  years  on  the  Boston  and  Maine  extension. 

Rev.  Wm.  Wakefield  now  preaches  at  La  Harpe,  111.^ 

Sydney  P.  Pratt,  Harvard  College,  class  of  1873 ;  is  now  a  member 
of  Boston  Law  School. 

Howard  A.  Hanaford,  Tufts  College,  class  of  1873. 

Those  now  pursuing  courses  of  study :  — 

MASSACHUSETTS  INSTITUTE  OF  TECHNOLOGY. 

Herbert  Barrows,  class  of  1874. 
George  H.  Barrus,        "        " 
Walter  B.  Barrows,       "      1876. 
E.  Harley  Cowing,       "      1877. 
Arthur  W.  Temple,      "         " 

WORCESTER  FREE  INSTITUTE. 
Frank  E.  Appleton,  class  of  1874. 


Of    THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  481 


CHAPTER    XII 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

TOPOGRAPHY,    MANUFACTURES,    PUBLIC     BUILDINGS,    LIBRARIES,    POPULA- 
TION,  VALUATION,    ETC. 

IT  was  said  by  the  ancient  Woburn  historian,  Johnson,  in  writing  of 
Reading  in  1651,  that  "  Reading  hath  her  habitation  in  the  very  centre 
of  the  country,"  meaning,  we  presume,  that  its  location  was  in  the 
centre  of  that  portion  of  New  England  which  was  then  settled.  And 
now  after  the  lapse  of  more  than  two  centuries,  the  territory  of  old 
Reading,  including  the  present  towns  of  Wakefield,  Reading,  and  North 
Reading,  is  still  the  centre  of  a  periphery  not  less  considerable  and 
important ;  for  within  a  radius  of  fifteen  miles  of  its  central  point,  are 
no  less  than  eight  flourishing  cities,  viz.  Boston,  Salem  Lynn,  Chelsea, 
Charlestown,  Cambridge,  Lowell,  and  Lawrence,  containing  a  popula- 
tion of  more  than  350,000 ;  with  many  large  towns  within  the  same 
circle. 

This  territory  of  the  Readings  contains  about  thirty  square  miles,  or 
about  18,000  acres  ;  of  which  Wakefield  contains  4,568  acres,  and  its 
central  village  is  in  latitude  42°  30'  26"  N.,  and  hvlongitude^i0  4'  42 
W.,  and  is  ten  miles  from  Boston. 

Reading  contains  5,941  acres,  and  ,its  central  village  is  in  latitude 
42°  32'  N.,  and  in  longitude  71°  6'  W.,  and  is  twelve  miles  from 
Boston. 

North  Reading  contains  7,649  acres,  and  its  central  village  is  in 
latitude  42°  34'  31"  N.,  and  in  longitude  71°  5' W.,  and  is  fifteen 
miles  from  Boston.  The  whole  territory  is  bounded  northerly  by  An 
dover,  easterly  by  Middleton,  Lynnfield,  and  Saugus,  southerly  by  Sau- 
gus,  Melrose,  and  Stoneham,  and  westerly  by  Stoneham,  Woburn,  and 
Wilmington.  The  central  village  of  Wakefield  is  two  and  one  half  miles 
southeast  from  that  of  Reading  ;  the  central  village  of  North  Reading 
is  three  miles  northeast  from  that  of  Reading,  and  five  miles  north 
of  that  of  Wakefield.  The  entire  territory  is  agreeably  diversified  with 
hill  and  plain,  woodland  and  meadow,  lake  and  river.  There  are  no 
lofty  eminences.  Its  soil  is  generally  fertile  and  productive.  There 
Ci 


482  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

is  a  fair  share  of  water  scenery.  Ipswich  River,  taking  its  rise  in  the 
meadows  of  Wilmington  and  in  Raggett's  Pond,  in  the  northwesterly 
part  of  North  Reading,  forms  the  boundary  line  between  the  westerly 
portions  of  Reading  and  North  Reading,  and  then  runs  through  the 
central  part  of  North  Reading,  and  passing  through  the  town  of  Mid- 
dleton  empties  into  Ipswich  Bay.  Quannapowitt  Lake,  in  Wakefield, 
contains  four  hundred  acres,  and  Crystal  Lake,  also  in  Wakefield,  con- 
tains one  hundred  acres.  Saugus  River,  composed  of  two  streams 
that  flow  from  the  two  lakes  in  Wakefield,  and  which  unite  near  the 
eastern  boundary  of  Wakefield,  runs  through  the  town  of  Saugus  and 
empties  its  waters  into  Lynn  Harbor.  These  rivers,  lakes,  and  ponds 
afford  considerable  water  for  mills  and  factories,  furnish  much  romantic 
scenery  and  many  fine  building  sites. 

WAKEFIELD. 

The  town  of  Wakefield  is  mainly  a  place  of  manufactures  and  trade, 
but  includes  many  pleasant  fields,  gardens,  and  orchards.  Its  principal 
manufactures  are  those  of  boots  and  shoes,  rattan  goods,  iron  castings, 
medicines,  razor  straps,  shoe  tools,  etc.  The  boot  and  shoe  business, 
mainly  ladies'  shoes,  has  long  been  an  important  branch  of  industry  in 
the  place.  As  long  ago  as  1677,  the  town  assigned  to  Jonas  Eaton 
"  the  privilege  of  wood  and  herbage  on  a  tract  of  land,  on  condition 
that  he  remained  in  town,  and  followed  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker."  He 
remained,  and  many  of  his  descendants  and  successors,  from  that  year 
to  this,  have  exercised  that  honorable  handicraft.  The  manner  of 
carrying  on  this  branch  of  industry  has  greatly  changed  within  the  last 
few  years.  Formerly  nearly  every  shoemaker  was  his  own  "  Boss  " ; 
that  is,  "  he  worked  his  own  stock  " ;  he  cut,  his  wife  and  daughters 
bound,  and  his  sons  and  apprentices,  with  sometimes  a  few  journey- 
men, finished  up  the  work.  His  principal  market  was  Boston,  to 
which  place,  sometimes  in  saddle-bags  and  on  horseback,  and  some- 
times in  a  shoe  cart,  he  transported  and  peddled  from  store  to  store 
his  goods. 

The  introduction  into  this  manufacture  of  labor-saving  machinery,  a 
full  supply  of  which  is  too  expensive  for  small  operations,  together  with 
the  greatly  increased  demand  from  a  widely  extended  market,  for  boots 
and  shoes,  has  thrown  their  manufacture  into  large  establishments,  so 
that  while  the  amount  of  goods  manufactured  has  increased,  the  num- 
ber of  those  who  carry  on  the  business,  has  diminished. 

The  value  of  boots  and  shoes  now  (1868)  annually  manufactured 
town  exceeds  $400,000.     The  number  of  shoe  factories  averages  abou 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


483 


twelve.  Until  within  some  forty  or  fifty  years  the  journeymen  shot- 
makers  received  their  pay  for  their  labor  largely  by  way  of  barter,  —  in 
groceries  and  other  articles  at  their  employers'  own  prices.  Much 
credit  is  due  to  Hon.  Thomas  Emerson,  Col.  James  Hartshorn,  Col. 
Lemuel  Sweetser,  and  others,  who,  some  fifty  years  ago,  introduced  a 
system  of  entire  cash  payments  for  labor,  much  to  the  advantage  of  the 
employees,  —  a  system  which  still  continues. 

About  the  year  1822,  Dr.  Nathan  Richardson  removed  from  Read- 
ing, where  he  had  long  been  a  successful  practitioner,  and  settled  in 
Wakefield.  Dr.  R.  had  been  accustomed  to  prepare  sundry  articles  of 
medicine,  especially  sherry  wine  bitters,  which  had  become  justly  cele- 
brated for  their  excellent  medical  and  health-giving  properties.  After 
his  removal  to  Wakefield,  in  connection  with  his  son,  Dr.  Solon  O. 
Richardson,  and  subsequently  by  the  son  alone,  the  preparation  of 
these  medicines  was  improved,  systematized,  and  their  sale  widely 
extended,  and  the  fame  thereof  spread  the  country  over ;  the  business 
in  1868  amounting,  it  is  said,  to  $100,000  annually. 

RAZOR  STRAPS.  —  The  manufacture  of  the  celebrated  "  Emerson 
Razor  Straps"  was  commenced  in  Wakefield  more  than  fifty  years  ago. 
Charles  Emerson,  the  original  inventor  and  manufacturer,  was  a 
native  of  Wakefield,  and  a  resident  here,  when  the  first  strap  was 
made.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Charlestown,  where  he  and  his 
successors  continued  the  business ;  but  razor  straps,  similar  to  Emerson's 
and  not  inferior  to  them  in  excellence  and  beauty,  are  still  made  in 
Wakefield  by  the  Messrs.  Atwell,  to  the  amount  of  $25,000  annually. 

SHOE  TOOLS,  especially  awls,  of  an  improved  kind,  were  manufac- 
tured in  Wakefield,  by  Thomas  Woodward,  Senior,  as  early  as  1810, 
perhaps  earlier.  It  is  believed  that  he  was  the  first  American  manufac- 
turer of  such  articles,  and  his  tools,  particularly  his  awls,  being  far 
better  and  more  finely  finished  than  those  imported  from  England, 
soon  came  into  general  use.  His  grandson,  James  F.  Woodward,  still 
continues  the  business  in  Wakefield,  and  on  a  much  larger  scale  than 
his  ancestor,  and  now  manufactures  some  $25,000  worth  annually. 

RATTAN  WORKS. 

The  rattan  works  of  the  late  lamented  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Esq.,  in 
their  present  magnitude  and  completeness,  are  a  marvel  of  patient 
energy  and  perseverance.  From  the  smallest  beginning,  under  the 
greatest  difficulties,  they  have  grown  to  the  most  entire  and  perfect 
success.  They  are  located  on  Water  Street,  and  occupy  the  mill  priv- 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


ilege   and  -homestead   known   in   the   early  history  of  the  town   as 
"  Green's  Mill." 

At  the  time  of  the  purchasejby  Mr.  Wakefield  of  this  property,  in  1855, 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


485 


it  consisted  of  two  mill  ponds,  one  on  each  side  of  the  road,  and  a  few 
small  buildings,  which  had  been  used  for  various  manufacturing  pur- 
poses, together  with  the  old  "  Green  "  dwelling-house.  The  premises 


486 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


were  first  occupied  by  Mr.  Wakefield  for  the  manufacture  of  rattan 
into  skirt-reeds  and  baskets.  When  its  use  for  skirts  was  superseded 
by  steel,  his  attention  was  given  to  the  production  of  cane  for  chair- 
seating  by  hand  labor.  The  experiment  of  this  process  was  not  bril- 
liant, and  Mr.  Wakefield  soon  saw  that  the  whole  enterprise  would  end 
in  failure,  unless  some  arrangement  could  be  made  to  use  machinery. 
This,  with  his  accustomed  energy,  he  set  himself  about,  and  finally 
succeeded.  From  this  time  his  course  was  onward,  and  soon  the  cane 
manufactured  at  these  works  was  in  demand  all  over  the  United 
States. 

The  different  processes  of  manufacture  may  be  briefly  described  as 
follows :  The  raw  material,  as  it  is  imported,  is  of  all  sizes,  and  must 
be  first  assorted ;  it  is  then  straightened,  washed  in  huge  revolving 
boxes,  and  scraped,  by  which  it  is  brought  nearly  to  a  uniform  size  in 
its  whole  length.  The  next  step  is  peculiar :  each  separate  stick  of 
rattan  being  passed  through  a  machine  which  divides  the  outside  sur- 
face into  five,  six,  seven,  or  eight  strands,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  leav- 
ing a  smooth,  round  centre,  the  length  of  the  original  stick.  This  is 
called  the  pith,  and  is  used  for  baskets,  etc.  etc.  The  strands  are  then 
shaved  smoothly  and  tied  in  bunches  containing  one  thousand  run- 
ning feet,  bleached,  put  up  in  bundles  of  one  hundred  bunches,  and  the 
finished  chair  cane  is  ready  for  the  market.  The  shavings,  which  have 
been  referred  to,  are  utilized  by  being  spun  into  a  coarse  yarn,  then 
woven  into  carpeting  and  mats,  braided  for  open  mats,  etc.  etc.  In  1863, 
the  number  of  hands  employed  was  about  two  hundred.  This  number 
gradually  increased,  until  in  1873  **  exceeded  one  thousand.  The  pres- 
ent works  consist  of  one  brick  machine  shop,  158x60,  of  four  stories, 
eight  large  workshops  and  store-houses,  and  a  number  of  smaller 
buildings,  and  occupy  ground  to  the  extent  of  about  four  acres.  The 
power  required  to  run  the  immense  machinery  contained  in  the  buildings 
is  furnished  chiefly  by  two  magnificent  steam-engines  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty  horse-power  each.  This  sketch  would  not  be  complete  with- 
out mention  of  the  names  of  Mr.  Amos  W.  Chapman,  the  present 
superintendent  •  Mr.  Chas.  W.  Trow,  master  mechanic,  and  inventor 
of  much  improved  machinery ;  and  Mr.  William  Houston,  foreman  of 
the  mat  and  carpet  department,  whose  ingenuity  and  untiring  perse- 
verance has  brought  this  branch  of  the  business  to  its  present  state  of 
perfectness.  Many  others  are  also  worthy  of  honorable  mention,  but 
the  length  which  this  sketch  has  already  reached,  forbids  further 
extension. 

SCHEDULE  OF  GOODS  MANUFACTURED.  —  Seating  cane  for  chairs ; 


OF   THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  487 

matting,  many  varieties ;  mats  of  all  kinds ;  baskets  of  all  kinds ; 
chairs  for  ladies,  gentlemen,  and  children  ;  cradles,  cribs,  tete-a-tetes, 
sofas,  baby  carriages,  window  shades,  brooms,  brushes,  table  mats, 
wall  screens,  fire  screens,  wall  pockets,  slipper  holders,  clothes  beaters, 
etc.  etc. ;  rattan  used  in  the  manufacture  of  whips,  umbrellas,  corsets, 
saddles,  etc.  etc. 


THE  BOSTON  AND  MAINE  FOUNDRY. 

Near  the  centre  of  our  town,  and  close  beside  the  track  of  the  Boston 
and  Maine  Railroad,  stand  several  brown  and  dingy  buildings,  of  vari- 
ous shapes  and  sizes,  surrounded  by  dust  and  smoke,  and  to  which,  in 
the  morning,  numbers  of  stalwart  men  may  be  seen  wending  their  way. 
The  stranger  passing  in  the  cars  is  told  that  this  is  the  Boston  and 
Maine  Foundry,  but  of  the  extent  of  the  business  carried  on  here,  the 
classes  of  goods  manufactured,  and  the  various  new  and  improved 
processes  employed,  even  most  of  our  own  residents  are  ignorant. 

Like  many  other  important  enterprises,  this  foundry  had  its  com- 
mencement in  a  comparatively  small  business,  but  its  growth  has  been 
rapid  and  continuous.  Previous  to  the  year  1854,  stoves  and  other 
articles  of  iron  for  household  use  were  made  of  imperfect  and  ancient 
patterns,  and  needlessly  large  and  heavy.  During  the  early  part  of 
that  year,  Mr.  A.  J.  Blanchard,  residing  at  South  Reading,  having  dis- 
solved his  connection  with  Messrs.  Hartshorn  &  Ames,  iron  founders 
at  Nashua,  N.  H.,  conceived  the  plan  of  erecting  an  iron  foundry  on 
the  line  of  the  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad,  in  what  was  then  a  part  of 
Stoneham,  and  producing  iron  goods  of  improved  patterns  and  con- 
struction. He  selected  a  piece  of  land  belonging  to  Mr.  Cyrus  Wake, 
field,  and  which,  although  thickly  covered  with  oak,  he  considered  well 
suited  to  his  purpose.  Consulting  with  Messrs.  Charles  Tarbell,  Wil- 
liam Stewart,  and  J.  F.  Dane,  with  whom  Mr.  Blanchard  soon  after 
became  associated  in  partnership,  it  was  determined  to  purchase  this 
site,  if  possible,  and  proceed  to  the  erection  of  buildings  suitable  for 
the  business.  On  conferring  with  Mr.  Wakefield,  who  was  then,  as 
well  as  since,  well  known  and  respected  for  his  liberality  and  public 
spirit,  the  project  immediately  met  his  hearty  co-operation. 

Work  was  commenced  in  clearing  the  land,  building  material  was 
collected,  and  early  in  the  fall  of  1854,  the  corner-stone  of  the  original 
buildings  was  laid  by  Mr.  Blanchard,  and  the  work  vigorously  pushed 
forward  by  Messrs.  Blanchard,  Tarbell,  Stewart,  and  Dane,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Blanchard,  Tarbell  &  Co.,  with  a  capital  of  $20,000. 


488 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


The  buildings  originally  erected  were,  —  ist,  a  moulding  room  150 
feet  in  length,  60  feet  wide,  and  one  story  high,  with  arched  roof,  large 
windows,  and  well  ventilated,  and  which  is  still  standing ;  2d,  a  build- 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


489 


ing  65  feet  long,  56  feet  wide,  and  two  stories  high,  connected  with  the 
former,  and  which  was  used  for  a  store-house  and  mounting  room. 
This  has  since  been  rebuilt  and  greatly  enlarged. 

Within  the  space  of  four  months,  the  first  productions  of  the  new 
firm  were  placed  on  the  market,  and  they  gave  employment  to  about 
fifty  men.  The  amount  of  the  first  year's  business  was  such  that 
larger  capital  was  required  to  make  those  additions  and  improvements 
that  would  enable  them  to  supply  the  demand  for  their  goods.  Over- 
tures having  been  received  from  parties  to  invest  in  the  enterprise,  it 
was  finally  determined  to  form  a  stock  company,  which  was  organized 
Feb.  4,  1856,  under  the  present  style  of  the  "Boston  &  Maine  Foundry 
Co."  This  company  consisted  of  the  members  of  the  old  firm  of 
Blanchard,  Tarbell  &  Co.,  with  the  addition  of  Messrs.  Sewall  G.  Mack, 
Cyrus  Wakefield,  and  others.  Sewall  G.  Mack  was  elected  president ; 
T.  C.  Whittemore,  secretary ;  and  A.  J.  Blanchard,  agent  and  busi- 
ness manager.  The  capital  stock  was  increased  to  $30,000,  and  the 
real  estate,  stock,  and  good-will  of  the  firm  of  Blanchard,  Tarbell  & 
Co.  were  purchased  by  the  company. 

The  tract  of  land  which  was  deeded  to  the  company  by  Mr.  Wake* 
field  March  15,  1855,  comprised  about  65,000  square  feet. 

The  business  of  the  company  steadily  increased  each  year  under  the 
skilful  management  of  Mr.  Blanchard,  aided  in  "  hard  times  "  by  the 
calm  and  far-seeing  advice  of  Mr.  Wakefield,  and  the  clear  and  able 
judgment  of  Mr.  Mack,  until  June  29,  1866,  when  a  serious  fire  checked 
the  business,  and  involved  the  company  in  heavy  loss.  The  most  un- 
tiring and  vigorous  efforts  of  the  employees,  firemen,  and  citizens  only 
sufficed  to  save  the  moulding  room,  the  rest  of  the  buildings  being 
totally  destroyed.  This  loss  was  the  more  disastrous  because  occurring 
at  a  time  when  the  company  had  on  hand  a  large  stock  of  manufac- 
tured goods  and  raw  material.  Five  hundred  tons  of  castings  were 
melted  or  broken  by  the  fall  of  the  building,  and  a  large  quantity  of 
wood  patterns  was  destroyed.  The  loss  by  the  fire  was  $80,000, 
with  $50,000  insurance. 

The  company  immediately  commenced  clearing  away  the  ruins,  and 
in  a  short  time  the  present  building,  125  feet  long,  56  feet  wide,  and 
41-2  stories  high,  occupied  the  site  of  the  one  destroyed.  Many  al- 
terations and  improvements  were  adopted  in  the  new  building,  and  new 
and  improved  machinery  introduced,  as  suggested  by  the  long  experi- 
ence of  Mr.  Blanchard,  so  that  at  the  commencement  of  1867  the 
foundry  and  its  connections  were  the  most  complete  and  convenient 
of  any  in  New  England. 
62 


490 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


The  loss  having  amounted  to  the  sum  total  of  the  original  capital,  it 
became  necessary  either  to  increase  the  capital  stock  or  to  meet  the 
cost  of  these  improvements  from  the  profits  of  the  business.  The  for~ 
mer  being  considered  the  safest  and  most  convenient  plan,  $60,000 
was  added,  making  the  capital  stock  $90,000,  and  with  these  improved 
facilities  the  business  was  correspondingly  increased. 

It  has  ever  been  the  endeavor  of  the  company  to  secure  the  best  of 
raw  material,  and  skilful  and  experienced  employees  to  work  it,  thereby 
manufacturing  first-class  goods,  and  to  sell  them  at  the  lowest  prices. 
Through  the  able  management  of  their  foreman,  the  late  lamented  Mr. 
T.  B.  Walker,  a  thoroughly  practical  moulder,  experienced  in  the  charge 
of  men,  and  who  was  greatly  beloved  by  them,  the  company  has 
gained  the  credit  of  manufacturing  some  of  the  finest  castings  in  the 
market." 

They  now  manufacture  every  description  of  cast-iron  goods  for  do- 
mestic and  plumbers'  use,  besides  much  jobbing  from  outside  parties. 
Here  also  are  manufactured  the  well-known  car-seat  fixtures,  the  inven- 
tion of  Mr.  George  Buntin,  which  may  be  found  far  and  wide  over  the 
country  in  the  cars  of  nearly  all  our  railroads. 

Two  furnaces  are  employed,  one  constantly,  and  the  other  as  a  re- 
lief in  case  of  accident,  and  a  powerful  blower  furnishes  the  blast. 
From  twelve  to  fifteen  tons  of  pig  and  scrap  iron  are  daily  melted  in 
these  furnaces,  for  which  there  are  required  about  three  tons  of  coal. 
The  iron  and  coal,  as  well  as  the  moulders'  sand  and  other  raw  mate- 
rial, are  landed  directly  from  the  cars,  upon  a  large  platform  which  is 
at  a  suitable  level  for  immediate  delivery  to  the  furnaces.  A  store- 
house 135  ft.  jc  35  ft.  has  been  built  beside  the  track,  for  the  recep- 
tion of  sand,  and  capable  of  holding  300  tons  of  sand  and  300  tons 
of  small  coal. 

In  1862  and  1864  there  were  added  to  the  original  moulding  room 
two  others,  called  the  west  and  south  shops,  each  of  the  same  dimen- 
sions as  the  first.  There  are  employed  in  these  rooms  about  75  mould- 
ers, under  the  care  of  Mr.  J.  G.  Savage,  who  are  busily  engaged  during 
the  early  part  of  the  day  in  the  preparation  of  the  moulds  for  the  re- 
ception of  the  iron.  The  furnace  is  "  charged  up  "  about  twelve  o'clock, 
and  about  three  o'clock  the  iron  is  in  a  suitable  state  for  "  pouring  off," 
as  it  is  called,  when  each  of  these  moulders,  with  a  long-handled  ladle, 
takes  his  turn  at  the  spout  of  the  furnace,  and  soon  the  dingy  room  is 
lighted  up  by  the  glare  of  the  molten  iron,  which  is  hurriedly  carried  to 
all  parts  of  the  building  and  carefully  poured  into  the  moulds.  In  a 
few  minutes  the  articles  are  cooled  and  hardened,  and  the  "  flasks,"  as 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


491 


wooden  boxes  used  for  moulding  are  technically  called,  are  emptied  of 
the  sand,  and  various  shapes  of  iron  with  which  they  are  filled. 

The  sand  is  scraped  into  a  corner  and  repeatedly  used,  while  the 
moulded  articles,  which  are  rough  and  covered  with  sand,  are  removed 
to  another  room,  scarcely  equalled  for  its  dust,  where  the  loose  parti- 
cles of  sand  are  brushed  off  from  the  larger  articles  with  a  wire  brush, 
and  the  smaller  articles  are  packed  into  a  revolving  cylinder  which 
speedily  accomplishes  the  same  thing. 

In  the  morning  the  slag  from  the  previous  day's  charge  is  removed 
from  the  furnace,  and  being  placed  in  a  cylinder  with  iron  balls  and 
made  to  revolve,  the  slag  is  broken  up  and  sifted  out,  while  the  pieces 
of  iron  with  which  it  was  mixed  remain  in  the  cylinder  in  suitable  form 
to  be  again  used. 

After  the  sand  has  been  brushed  from  the  goods,  they  are  taken, 
should  they  be  parts  of  a  stove,  to  the  mounting  room,  where  thirty 
men,  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Edwin  E.  Gates,  are  employed  in  fitting 
the  various  parts  to  each  other.  Each  piece  is  tried  carefully,  and 
ground  upon  emery  wheels  until  a  perfect  joint  is  secured,  which  is 
then  filled  with  a  cement  which  makes  it  practically  air  tight.  These 
castings  are  now  packed  away  in  the  store-room,  ready  for  shipping  to 
the  dealers  in  hardware,  or  they  are  set  up  complete  for  use,  the  com- 
pany being  prepared  to  fill  orders  for  all  descriptions  of  cooking  and 
parlor  stoves  in  either  form. 

Many  of  the  articles  of  hollow  ware,  such  as  pots,  kettles,  saucepans, 
urns  for  parlor  stoves,  etc.,  are  in  these  days  lined  with  enamel,  which 
makes  them  smoother  and  easier  to  clean,  and  prevents  them  from  rust- 
ing. The  Boston  &  Maine  Foundry  Company  were  formerly  obliged, 
in  order  to  supply  the  wants  of  their  customers  in  this  line,  to  ship 
the  goods  to  New  York,  where  the  enamelling  was  done,  and  then  they 
were  sent  back.  The  cost  of  this  enamelling  was  thus  found  to  be  a 
heavy  outlay,  as  well  owing  to  the  freight  both  ways,  as  to  the  cost  of 
the  enamelling;  and  about  a  year  since,  Mr.  Blanchard,  with  his  usual 
enterprise,  determined  to  erect  enamelling  works,  and  thus  do  his  own 
work  on  his  own  premises,  as  well  as  to  be  prepared  to  do  enamelling 
for  other  parties  in  New  England  who  were  also  then  obliged  to  send 
to  New  York.  A  building  45  x  55  feet,  two  stories  high,  was  therefore 
erected,  and  two  furnaces  for  enamelling  constructed,  as  well  as  a 
smaller  furnace  for  the  manufacture  of  the  enamel,  which  is  a  species 
of  glass.  Into  this  smaller  furnace,  which  is  capable  of  containing 
several  hundred  pounds,  the  mixed  materials  are  placed,  and  melted 
together  When  properly  mixed,  the  mass  is  allowed  to  run  into  a 


4Q2  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

tank  of  cold  water  before  the  furnace,  which  makes  it  brittle,  and 
breaks  it  into  small  pieces.  It  now  resembles  saltpetre,  some  pieces 
being  clear  and  transparent,  while  others  are  more  opaque.  It  is  after- 
wards dried  and  finally  ground.  The  articles  to  be  enamelled  are  care- 
fully turned  and  cleaned  of  all  roughness,  and  the  enamel  is  then 
applied.  The  ware  is  afterwards  placed  in  the  oven  and  heated  to  a 
cherry  red,  and  on  removal  is  found  to  be  coated  with  the  fine  white 
enamel  so  well  known  as  "  porcelain  lining." 

This  company  was  the  first  in  this  country  to  produce  enamelled 
bath  tubs.  When  Mr.  Blanchard  first  stated  his  intention  of  making 
them,  he  was  assured  by  those  experienced  in  such  matters,  that  he 
would  find  it  an  impossibility.  He  was  determined,  however,  to  make 
the  attempt,  and  in  eight  weeks  from  making  the  pattern,  a  perfect 
bath-tub  of  cast-iron,  lined  with  enamel,  was  completed.  This  depart- 
ment is  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  L.  Lefferts,  an  experienced  enameller, 
who  is  assisted  by  ten  men. 

Previous  to  1871,  all  the  wooden  patterns  used  by  the  company  in 
the  moulding  of  their  various  goods,  were  made  by  Mr.  Edward  Min- 
gay,  of  164  Portland  Street,  Boston ;  but  the  business  of  the  company 
increased  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  necessary  to  do  this  part  of  the 
work  here,  and  last  year  a  two-story  building  was  erected,  90  x  55  feet, 
the  upper  story  of  which  is  used  for  making  wood-patterns,  and  the 
lower  story  for  brass-founding  and  polishing.  The  pattern  room, 
which  is  thought  to  be  the  finest  in  New  England,  is  under  the  charge 
of  Mr.  L.  M.  Bates,  and  there  are  facilities  for  the  employment  of  from 
twelve  to  fifteen  men.  As  each  part  must  be  an  exact  fac-simile  of  the 
finished  article,  some  idea  may  be  gained  by  examining  the  parts  of  a 
stove,  for  instance,  of  the  ingenuity  and  skill  necessary  to  form  these 
out  of  simple  wood. 

The  patterns  used  in  the  moulding  room  are  subjected  to  such  con- 
stant use,  that  wooden  patterns 'would  soon  wear  out ;  consequently 
the  wood  patterns  are  usually  employed  only  for  the  production  of  iron 
ones,  which  last  for  a  long  time.  These  iron  patterns  are  cast  in  the 
usual  manner  in  the  moulding  room,  from  whence  they  are  taken 
to  the  pattern  finishing  room,  where  they  are  carefully  finished  and 
fitted.  This  department  employs  four  men,  under  the  charge  of  Mr. 
Joseph  Chadwick.  A  large  room  is  filled  with  these  iron  pattenis, 
containing  a  copy  of  every  design  ever  produced  by  the  company. 

In  the  brass  foundry  there  are  facilities  for  the  melting  of  a  ton  of 
brass  daily,  and  for  the  employment  of  ten  men,  and  it  is  under  the 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


493 


charge  of  Mr.  Geo.  Savage.     Here  the  company  manufacture  .ill  their 
brass  rivets,  and  a  great  amount  of  car  supplies. 

In  the  polishing  room  portions  of  some  of  the  goods  are  ground 
bright  on  emery  wheels,  and  especially  the  arms  of  the  Buntin  car 
seats,  and  other  articles,  which  are  to  be  nickel-plated. 

A  carpenter's  shop  is  attached  to  the  works,  which  employs  four 
men,  under  Mr.  Curtis  Clifford,  in  making  the  flasks  and  other  needed 
carpenter's  work. 

The  company  employ  two  tin  and  sheet  iron  workers  in  manufactur- 
ing parlor  stoves,  and  tin-ware  for  the  cook  stoves  ready  for  the  market, 
although  most  of  their  goods  go  into  the  hands  of  dealers  who  prefer 
to  furnish  these.  This  department  is  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Josiah 
R.  Goddard. 

A  fine  steam-engine  of  forty-five  horse  power,  under  the  charge  of 
Mr.  John  Rayner,  furnishes  power  for  the  machinery  of  the  various 
departments  of  the  works. 

The  whole  number  of  men  employed  by  the  company  is  about  one 
hundred  and  seventy-five,  and  a  finer  class  of  men  can  be  found  in  no 
manufacturing  establishment  in  the  country.  In  1854,  Mr.  Blanchard, 
having  in  mind  the  comfort  of  his  men,  built  a  bath-house,  the  first  of 
its  kind  in  New  England,  with  a  tank  in  the  centre,  supplied  with  hot 
and  cold  water,  and  containing  also  a  shower  bath.  The  floor  is  of 
cement,  so  graded  that  perfect  drainage  is  secured.  Each  man 
changes  all  his  garments  on  entering  the  works  in  the  morning,  and 
resumes  them  after  a  bath  at  night ;  and  here  may  be  seen,  or  might 
if  we  were  privileged  to  be  present,  such  a  display  of  physical  devel- 
opment as  would  cheer  an  admirer  of  muscular  Christianity.  An  old 
steam  boiler,  raised  to  the  top  of  the  south  moulding  room,  and  sup- 
plied by  a  force  pump  in  the  engine  room,  furnishes  a  tank  from  which 
the  bath-room  and  all  parts  of  the  works  requiring  water  are  supplied. 

It  is  necessary  that  all  the  moulders'  sand  should  first  be  dried  and 
finely  ground  and  sifted.  Formerly  this  was  accomplished  by  hand  ; 
but  in  1865,  Mr.  Joseph  G.  Savage  invented  a  machine  for  grinding 
and  sifting  by  power,  and  now  the  sand,  after  being  dried  in  a  room 
heated  by  steam,  is  put  into  the  machine  in  this  room,  which  performs 
in  a  few  hours  daily  what  formerly  required  the  constant  labor  of  three 
men. 

Between  the  moulding  rooms  and  the  main  store-house  a  brick  wall 
with  iron  doors  greatly  reduces  the  danger  of  fire.  In  the  store-house, 
running  from  basement  to  attic,  a  fine  elevator  is  placed,  furnished 
with  Fairbanks  platform  scales  to  weigh  all  goods  shipped.  This  is  a 


494  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

feature  introduced  by  Mr.  Blanchard.  The  building  is  four  and  a  half 
stories  high,  with  capacity  for  the  storage  of  one  thousand  tons  of  cast- 
ings, which  are  manufactured  largely  in  advance  of  orders,  so  that  the 
company  are  able  to  fill  any  reasonable  demand  at  any  time. 

By  means  of  the  elevator,  the  goods  are  delivered  on  the  floor 
directly  on  a  level  with  the  cars,  which  stand  on  a  side  track  at  the 
door  of  the  works ;  and  so  perfect  are  the  arrangements  for  shipping 
goods  that  in  all  kinds  of  weather  they  may  be  sent  without  danger  of 
exposure  or  injury  by  wet.  Many  goods  are  shipped  north  and  south, 
and  thence  east  and  west  without  change  of  cars ;  but  so  extensive  is 
the  business  of  the  company  that  they  employ  a  shipping  clerk  in  Bos- 
ton to  attend  to  the  transfer  of  goods,  which  must  be  re-shipped  there. 
The  shipping  of  goods  is  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Joseph  Scully,  the 
efficient  clerk,  who,  by  his  courteous  and  gentlemanly  bearing,  has 
made  himself  a  favorite  of  the  employees,  as  well  as  all  who  have  deal- 
ings with  him. 

Nearly  all  the  buildings  are  so  connected  by  covered  passage-ways 
that  all  the  business  can  proceed  without  the  slightest  interruption 
from  the  weather,  and  tit  may  be  safely  said  that  in  its  facilities  for  the 
reception  of  raw  material,  the  delivery  of  goods,  and  the  general  con- 
duct of  business,  this  establishment  is  not  surpassed,  if  equalled,  by  any 
o  f  its  kind  in  the  country. 

The  monthly  pay-roll  of  the  company  is  $10,000  or  $12,000,  the  dis- 
bursement of  which,  and  its  consequent  distribution  in  the  community, 
adds  not  a  little  to  the  material  prosperity  of  the  town.  Its  employees 
are  thinking  men,  and  form  an  important  portion  of  the  producing 
class,  on  which  the  prosperity  of  a  community  depends  ;  and  on  the 
whole,  it  is  difficult  to  compute  the  value  and  influence  of  this  estab- 
lishment in  our  midst,  —  an  influence  yet  in  its  infancy,  and  destined 
to  be  greatly  enlarged  by  the  inevitable  increase  and  extension  of  the 
business. 

The  company  have  a  fine  office  and  sales-room  in  Boston,  at  46  Canal 
Street,  fronting  also  on  Market  and  Friend  Streets.  This  store  is 
145  x  22,  and  seven  stories  high,  and  here  they  have  on  exhibition  sam- 
ples of  all  the  goods  manufactured  by  them. 

The  Citizens'  Gas  Light  Company,  of  Reading,  Wakefield,  and 
Stoneham,  was  organized  in  1860,  with  a  capital  of  about  $93,000.  Its 
gas  house  and  works  are  located  in  Wakefield,  but  its  pipes  extend  to 
Reading  and  Stoneham.  It  manufactures  annually,  at  present  (1868), 
about  4,000,000  cubic  feet  of  illuminating  gas,  which  sells  for  about 
$20,000. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


495 


Edward  Mansfield,  Esq.,  is  its  president ;  Thomas  Winship,  secretary 
and  treasurer;  B.  B.  Burbank,  Esq.,  superintendent;  directors,  Stephen 
Foster,  of  Reading  ;  Luther  Hill,  of  Stoneham  ;  William  Hurd,  o^ 
Stoneham ;  E.  Mansfield,  of  Wakefield  ;  J.  F.  Emerson,  of  Wakefield ; 
Thomas  Emerson,  of  Wakefield  ;  C.  Wakefield,  of  Wakefield  (de- 
ceased). 

Various  other  branches  of  manufacturing  industry  might  be  enumer- 
ated and  described,  if  space  permitted.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  total 
value  of  goods  annually  [manufactured  in  Wakefield  (including  the 
value  of  ice,  of  which  $100,000  worth  are  annually  gathered)  exceeds, 
it  is  estimated,  $1,500,000. 

The  number  of  employees  necessary  to  carry  on  this  amount  of 
manufactures,  gives  occasion  for  a  lively  and  extensive  mercantile 
business,  and  so  we  find  that  there  were  in  Wakefield  (in  1868)  stores 
as  follows :  — 

For  groceries,  gtain,  etc.,  8;  dry  and  fancy  goods,  4;  clothing,  3  ', 
shoes  and  boots,  3  ;  apothecaries,  3  ;  provisions,  3  ;  fruit  and  confec" 
tionery,  2  ;  furniture,  2  ;  wood,  coal,  and  lumber,  2  ;  wood  and  ice,  i  ; 
jewelry,  2  ;  bread,  i ;  shoe  findings,  i ;  hard  and  tin  ware,  i ;  periodi- 
cals, i. 

The  annual  sales,  by  these  stores,  was  supposed  to  amount  to 
$500,000,  in  I868.1 

NEWSPAPERS. 

In  1854,  the  publisher  of  "The  Middlesex  Journal,"  a  weekly, 
printed  at  Woburn,  offered  to  establish  a  South  Reading  Department 
in  his  paper,  if  the  people  of  South  Reading  would  furnish  the  matter. 
Whereupon  several  persons,  "  a  combination  of  gentlemen  "  they  were 
called,  undertook  the  duty.  The  introductory  article  was  written  by 
Professor  Tweed,  in  behalf  of  the  South  Reading  editors,  and  was 
published  April  15,  1854. 

They  say  in  that  article  that  they  "  propose  to  help  make  it  the 
medium  of  communication  among  our  townsmen  ;  hoping  also  to  culti- 
vate a  better  acquaintance  with  our  friends  in  the  circle  of  towns  in 
which  our  homes  are  set.  As  a  free  circulation  of  pure  air  is  necessary 
to  the  full  development  and  play  of  our  bodily  organs,  so  is  a  free  cir- 
culation of  thought  and  feeling  requisite  to  a  healthy  social  system ; 
and  we  hope  by  means  of  this  register  to  admit  and  let  off  streams 

1  Since  the  preparation  of  these  statistics,  the  business  of  Wakefield  has  very 
largely  increased  ;  but  we  are  unable  to  furnish  the  exact  figures  for  1873. 


496 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


from  the  current  of  daily  life  around  us,  which  may  tend  in  some  meas- 
ure to  the  promotion  of  virtue,  intelligence,  and  good  neighborhood." 

This  "  combination  of  gentlemen  "  included  B.  F.  Tweed,  Edward 
Mansfield,  P.  H  Sweetser,  L.  Eaton,  J.  S.  Eaton,  Jonas  Evans,  and 
others.  Soon,  however,  it  was  found  that  Edward  Mansfield,  Esq., 
possessed  the  peculiar  talent  and  the  willing  disposition  to  indite  and 
collect  the  necessary  items  to  make  the  weekly  contributions,  and  by 
degrees  the  whole  labor  of  so  doing  was  devolved  upon  him,  and  for  a 
whole  decade  he  performed  this  service  with  great  ability  and  punctu- 
ality, and  without  remuneration,  making  the  South  Reading  Depart- 
ment of  the  "  Middlesex  Journal "  a  most  useful  and  desirable  visitor. 
Mr.  Mansfield's  valedictory  was  published  Dec.  24,  1864,  and  thus 
ended  our  connection  with  the  Woburn  journal. 

In  1858,  W.  H.  Hutchinson,  Esq.,  from  Boston,  established  the 
"  South  Reading  Gazette,"  which  was  published  by  him  and  his  succes- 
sor for  about  three  years,  and  was  a  very  useful  and  entertaining 
weekly. 

In  1868,  A.  A.  Foster,  Esq.,  of  Wakefield,  commenced  the  publica- 
tion of  the  "  Wakefield  Banner,"  a  weekly  sheet  of  respectable  size, 
which  was  merged  in  the  "  Citizen,"  a  paper  which  continues  to  be 
issued  by  the  "  Citizen  Association,"  and  which  receives  liberal  support. 

The  "  Wakefield  Banner,"  a  weekly,  edited  by  W.  H.  Twombly,  Esq., 
is  also  now  published.1 

LIBRARIES   OF   WAKEFIELD. 

At  the  beginning  of  this  century  there  was  a  library  in  this  place, 
called  the  "  Social  Library."  The  writer  has  not  been  able  to  trace  it 
to  its  origin,  but  it  is  supposed  to  date  back  some  fifty  years  in  the  last 
century.  And  one  evidence  for  this  belief  is  the  very  antique  appear- 
ance of  some  of  the  books,  and  especially  of  the  book-case,  as  remem- 
bered in  their  earliest  years  by  some  of  our  oldest  present  citizens.  It 
consisted  chiefly  of  books  on  theological  subjects,  by  Baxter,  Aliene, 
Doddridge,  and  such  standard  authors,  and  on  ecclesiastical  history.  It 
was  usually  kept  at  the  residence  of  the  pastor  of  the  Congregational 
church.  About  the  year  1812,  Mr.  Lilley  Eaton  (father  of  the  late 
Hon.  Lilley  Eaton)  was  elected  librarian.  The  library  was  increased 
by  the  addition  of  some  volumes  of  history  and  other  works,  and  re- 
moved from  the  residence  of  Rev.  Reuben  Emerson  to  the  store  of  Mr. 

1  The  two  papers  have  recently  been  united,  and  one  weekly  paper  is  now  issued 
under  the  title  of  "The  Wakefield  Citizen  and  Banner." 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


497 


Eaton  in  the  large  building  still  standing  at  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Salem  Streets. 

At  one  time  prior  to  this  date,  conflicting  opinions  in  regard  to  the 
character  of  the  books  to  be  added  by  purchase,  or  some  other  cause, 
created  unpleasant  differences,  destroyed  harmony,  and  led  to  a  decided 
change  in  the  list  of  subscribers  and  the  government  of  the  library. 
Some  members  withdrew  their  names  and  their  support,  having  previ- 
ously, however,  drawn  out  as  many  books  as  would  be  equal  in  value 
to  their  shares  in  the  library,  and  never  took  the  trouble  to  return 
them. 

This  library  continued  in  a  vigorous  state  for  many  years,  until  sup- 
planted by  one  of  more  modern  date.  Its  last  act  was  in  the  beginning 
of  the  year  1836,  when  its  treasurer  passed  over  the  balance  of  funds 
in  his  hands  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Franklin  Lyceum,  for  the  benefit  of 
its  library,  though  its  active  existence  closed  more  than  a  year  before. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1831,  the  young  men  of  the  town,  includ- 
ing those  connected  with  the  "  South  Reading  Academy,"  formed  an 
association  called  the  "  South  Reading  Franklin  Lyceum,"  and  later  in 
the  same  year  established  a  library  in  connection  with  it,  known  as  the 
"Franklin  Library."  This  consisted  more  of  works  of  art  and  science, 
civil  history,  travels,  geography,  medicine,  etc. 

In  1834,  negotiations  were  entered  into  between  the  "  Social "  and 
the  "  Franklin  "  libraries,  with  a  view  to  uniting  them  in  one.  Com- 
mittees were  appointed  by  the  two  bodies  to  favor  the  object,  and  at  a 
meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Social  Library,  held  Dec.  3,  1834, 
it  was  agreed  to  make  over  all  the  books  belonging  to  the  Social 
Library  to  the  Franklin  Library,  on  condition  that  each  member  of  the 
former  should  of  right  be  a  member  of  the  latter  library.  This  condi- 
tion was  accepted  by  the  proprietors  of  the  Franklin  Library  at  a  meet- 
ing held  on  the  26th  of  the  same  month,  and  a  committee  was  chosen 
to  receive  the  books  and  book-case,  in  behalf  of  the  Franklin  Library. 
This  library  was  accessible  six  days  in  the  week,  and  occupied  a  very 
important  place  in  the  community  for  many  years.  It  was  liberally  pat- 
ronized by  old  and  young,  especially  in  the  earlier  days  of  its  history. 

Though  established  in  1831,  a  librarian  does  not  appear  to  have 
been  appointed  until  the  fall  of  1832,  and  the  first  record  found  of  the 
delivery  of  books  is  under  date  of  October,  1833.  The  names  of  those 
who  drew  the  first  books  from  this  library  are,  Abner  Breeden,  Asaph 
Evans,  and  Samuel  Kingman  ;  and  the  last  books  drawn  therefrom,  on 
Dec.  5,  1849,  were  taken  by  Rev.  Reuben  Emerson,  Moses  Board- 
man,  William  Chamberlain,  Henry  W.  Brown,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Clayes. 
63 


498  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Its  first  librarian  was  Hon.  Lilley  Eaton ;  its  last  was  Abel  F.  Hutch- 
inson,  Esq. 

In  the  year  1838,  great  interest  was  felt  by  many  of  the  young  men 
in  the  subject  of  phrenology,  that  was  attracting  general  attention  about 
that  time.  L.  N.  Fowler,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  an  extensive  phrenologi- 
cal lecturer,  visited  this  town,  and  spoke  enthusiastically  of  the  new 
"  science,"  as  it  was  called.  Some  of  his  lectures  were  delivered  before 
the  Franklin  Lyceum,  followed  by  lectures  from  other  gentlemen  upon 
the  same  subject.  The  members  of  the  Lyceum  also  discussed  the 
correctness  of  its  principles  in  set  debates,  and  waxed  warm  in  the 
presentation  of  their  arguments,  pro  and  con  ;  and  during  the  month  of 
September,  1840,  the  secretary  of  the  Lyceum,  Franklin  Poole,  Esq., 
delivered  a  course  of  nine  lectures  before  that  body  upon  that  favorite 
topic.  In  connection  with  this  phrenological  excitement,  some  twenty- 
five  or  thirty  of  the  young  men  formed  themselves  into  a  club,  in  order 
more  thoroughly  to  prosecute  their  investigations,  and  to  become  more 
intimately  acquainted  with  a  subject  so  attractive,  and  seemingly  so 
important.  Among  other  books,  they  procured  the  entire  works  of 
Spurzheim,  which  they  read  with  avidity,  and  examined  craniums,  until 
they  thought  they  could  tell  a  man's  character  by  the  bumps  on  his 
head.  This  collection  of  books  was  styled  the  "  Phrenological  Library," 
and  many  of  its  founders  are  still  with  us,  men  of  marked  intelligence, 
prominent  and  deserving  citizens. 

In  March,  1842,  the  Legislature  passed  a  resolve  appropriating 
fifteen  dollars  for  each  school  district  in  the  State  that  would  raise  an 
equal  sum  to  establish  in  each  district  a  common  school  library.  Soon 
after  this  generous  encouragement  from  the  State,  such  libraries  were 
established  in  most,  if  not  in  all,  the  districts  in  town. 

These  books  were  selected  and  prepared  by  the  Board  of  Education 
with  great  care,  free  from  politics  and  sectarian  bias.  They  were  taken 
home,  like  books  from  other  libraries,  and  read  by  the  scholars  and 
their  parents.  In  some  households,  probably,  these  were  the  principal 
new  books  to  which  they  had  access,  and  consequently  were  very  highly 
prized.  These  libraries  met  an  important  want  in  the  education  of  the 
young,  especially,  who  had  not  then  such  facilities  for  securing  the  use 
of  profitable  books  as  now.  Though  these  libraries  performed  a  valu- 
able office  for  a  time,  they  had  not  the  elements  of  permanency  ;  for, 
as  the  teachers  were  constantly  changing,  upon  whom  depended  much 
of  their  efficiency,  the  books  were  neglected,  and  allowed  to  be  carried 
away  without  proper  care  for  their  return,  and  finally,  as  libraries,  were 
disused.  It  is  not  known  that  any  of  the  books  found  their  way  into 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  499 

a  'subsequent  library.  Such  as  have  not  been  appropriated  to  indi- 
vidual use,  or  destroyed,  may  doubtless  be  found  boxed  up,  or  on  the 
shelves,  or  in  the  old  closets  of  the  school-houses  of  the  several  districts. 

Some  years  subsequent  to  the  last  mentioned  date  (1842),  another 
library  was  organized,  known  as  the  "Prescott  Library,"  of  which  very 
little  can  be  said,  inasmuch  as  the  prime  movers  in  it  have  deceased, 
and  no  record  of  its  beginning,  continuance,  or  ending  is  known  to 
exist.  It  was  named,  as  is  supposed,  after  Prescott  the  historian,  as 
it  contained  his  works  as  its  prominent  feature.  It  was  kept  in  a  little 
room  at  one  corner  of  the  hall  in  the  old  town  house.  Its  subscribers 
(probably  about  fifty  in  number)  were  among  the  most  intelligent  and 
energetic  of  our  citizens,  many  of  whom  still  remember  the  interest 
they  felt  in  perusing  the  books,  without  any  particular  impression  as  to 
the  date  of  its  origin,  or  to  incidents  in  its  life. 

In  1856  was  formed  the  Public  Library  of  South  Reading,  now 
known  as  the  Beebe  Town  Library  of  Wakefield,  its  name  having  been 
changed,  in  1868,  in  honor  of  Lucius  Beebe,  Esq.,  a  generous  contrib- 
utor to  its  funds.  A  place  was  fitted  up  for  it  in  one  of  the  lower 
rooms  of  the  old  town  house,  where  it  remained  until  1871,  when  it  was 
transferred  to  an  apartment  in  the  new  town  house  especially  provided 
for  its  use.  At  the  commencement  there  was  a  public  reading-room 
connected  with  it,  where  might  be  found  the  most  important  newspa- 
pers and  other  periodicals,  gratuitously  furnished  by  the  liberality  of 
some  of  the  citizens. 

The  act  of  the  Legislature,  authorizing  towns  to  raise  money  to 
establish  and  support  public  lib'raries,  was  passed  during  the  session  of 
1851,  and  the  town  of  South  Reading,  having  already  shown  its  liberal- 
ity in  making  appropriations  for  the  support  of  free  schools,  was  among 
the  first  of  the  country  towns  of  this  Commonwealth  to  avail  itself  of 
the  provisions  of  the  statute,  and  establish  a  free  town  library. 

At  the  annual  town-meeting  this  year  (1856),  held  March  3d,  it  was 
voted  that  it  was  expedient  to  establish  a  public  library  for  the  use  of 
the  inhabitants,  and  the  sum  of  $500  was  raised  and  appropriated  for 
that  purpose,  with  the  expectation  that  the  books  from  the  former 
libraries  of  the  town,  owned  by  individual  subscribers,  would  be  donated 
to  this  library,  as  also  contributions  were  anticipated  from  associations 
and  individuals.  At  that  meeting  seven  persons  were  elected  as 
trustees. 

At  this  stage  of  the  history  of  libraries,  we  see-  nearly  all  those  pre- 
viously mentioned  now  converging  to  a  point. 


500  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

As  a  large  river  is  fed  by  many  little  streams,  so  nearly  all  the 
libraries  that  previously  existed  in  town  became  tributaries  to  our  pres- 
ent free  library. 

These  tributaries  were  not  large,  but  proportionate  to  the  body  that 
received  them. 

As  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained,  the  present  library  in  its  start  re- 
ceived donations  as  follows  :  volumes  from  the  "  Social,"  "  Franklin," 
"Phrenological,"  and  "Prescott"  library  associations,  259;  from 
Mechanics'  Association,  130 ;  from  pupils  of  the  high  school,  from  exhi- 
bitions, 121  ;  other  individuals,  217  ;  total,  727  ;  being  about  the  same 
number  of  volumes  that  were  furnished  by  the  town  the  first  year. 
During  the  second  year,  the  scholars  of  the  high  school,  and  citizens 
in  various  capacities,  contributed  upwards  of  $200  in  addition  to  the 
town  appropriation. 

This  library  has  met  with  constant  favor  from  the  people  since  its 
commencement.  The  town  has  made  some  appropriations  for  it  every 
year,  and  individuals  have  borne  testimony  to  their  interest  in  its  wel- 
fare. In  1867,  Lucius  Beebe,  Esq.,  presented  it  with  five  hundred 
dollars,  to  be  spent  in  the  purchase  of  books,  to  which  generous  gift  he 
has  since  added  several  hundred  volumes,  selected  expressly  for  this 
library.  In  1872,  another  liberal-minded,  public-spirited  individual, 
Mrs.  Harriet  N.  Flint,  donated  to  the  town  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
dollars,  the  income  of  which  is  to  appropriated  to  the  purposes  of 
the  Beebe  Town  Library. 

Trustees  in  1873.  —  Edward  Mansfield,  chairman ;  Lucius  Beebe; 
M.  J.  Hill,  secretary;  Chester  W.  Eaton,  treasurer;  D.  H.  Darling, 
J.  O.  Burdett,  Cyrus  Wakefield  (died  in  October). 

In  1860,  Mr.  John  Reynolds,  from  Concord,  Mass.,  establisher  of 
agricultural  libraries,  procured  twenty-one  subscribers  in  this  town  to 
an  association  called  the  South  Reading  Agricultural  Library.  Certifi- 
cates were  issued  at  five  dollars  each,  and  were  dated  Jan.  31,  1860. 
Although  this  organization  was  designed  to  advance  the  interests  of 
agriculture,  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  only  farmers  were  members 
of  the  club.  The  various  interests  of  the  town  were  represented,  being 
composed  of  five  merchants,  four  farmers,  three  carpenters,  two  manu- 
facturers, two  physicians,  and  one  each  of  five  other  occupations. 

In  1861,  the  members  of  this  association  transferred  their  several 
shares  in  said  library  to  the  South  Reading  Horticultural  Society,  on 
condition  that  said  Horticultural  Society  should  raise  fifty  dollars  in  aid 
of  the  library,  and  consider  the  members  of  the  Library  Association  as 
members  of  the  Horticultural  Society,  entitled  to  all  its  privileges, 
which  included  an  equal  right  to  the  use  of  the  library. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


501 


This  collection  consisted  of  some  150  or  more  valuable  books, 
which  for  several  years  were  sought  after  and  read  with  a  great  deal  of 
profit  by  the  various  classes  in  the  community,  as  the  improved  state  of 
our  gardens,  fields,  etc.,  will  bear  unmistakable  testimony.  This 
library  is  still  in  existence,  in  good  condition,  and  open  to  its  members. 
Though  the  books  are  not  so  much  drawn  out  for  reading  as  formerly, 
they  are  consulted  as  works  of  reference. 

POPULATION   AND  VALUATION. 


READING. 

SOUTH  READING. 

NORTH  READING. 

A.D. 

No. 

A.D. 

No. 

A.  D. 

No. 

1765, 
1776, 

1530 
1984 

1790, 

1802 

. 

1800, 

2025 

* 

1  8  10, 

2228 

1812, 

Incorporated. 

1820, 

•2797 

1820 

(Estimate),  .   1000 

1830, 

1806 

1830, 

1311 

1840, 
1850, 

2193 
3108 

1840, 
1850, 

1517 
2407 

1853, 

Incorporated. 

1855, 

2522 

1855, 

2758 

1855, 

1050 

1860, 

2662 

1860, 

3207 

1860, 

H93 

1865, 

(Ma.  1158) 
JFe.  1278  [  2«6 

,865, 

|  Fe.  1750  )  3244 

1865, 

(  Ma.  488  ?    o 
1  Fe.  499  J   9*7 

A.D. 

POLLS. 

VALU. 

A.D. 

POLLS. 

VALU. 

A.  D.   POLLS.     VALU. 

£  s.d. 

1791, 

462 

3,225  17  i 

1802, 

496 

$  1  7,468  oo 

i-ij, 

596 

19,772  oo 

1821, 

425 

14,747  43 

1821, 

293 

$9,263  51 

1831, 

5" 

385,501  oo 

1831, 

412 

247,084  oo 

1840, 

691 

463,024  61 

1840, 

449 

279,409  oo 

1850, 

906 

1,071,042  oo 

1850, 

630 

755,019  oo 

1860, 

732 

1,269,570  oo 

1860, 

868 

1,861,319  oo 

1860,   325  $527,890  oo 

1863, 

1,299,648  oo 

1863 

1,803,903  oo 

1863,       552.565  oo 

WAKEFIELD. 

TOWN  VALUATION,  1873. 


Real  Estate 
Personal 


Total 


$3^46,235 
898,227 


*  This  number  includes  the  population  of  South  Reading,  which  was  not  taken 
separately. 


5O2 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


AMOUNT  OF  ANNUAL  APPROPRIATIONS. 


For  town  charges         .......         $71,275  oo 

"    State  tax       . S^S2  5° 

"   County  tax 2,935  26 


Total $79,362  76 

RATE  OF  TAXATION,  $18.50  ON  $1,000. 

Number  of  polls 1,960 

"        "   dwelling-houses          .         .         .         .         .         .  941 

Acres  of  land  taxed     .         . 3»9I3 

ASSETS  AND  LIABILITIES  OF  THE  TOWN,  MAY  i,  1873. 

School-houses          .         .         .         .     '   .         .         .         .  $91,000 

Other  public  buildings     .......  113,200 

Public  grounds  and  parks 40,000 

Other  real  estate 3,ooo 

Cemetery 1,000 

Public  library 4,200 

Fire  apparatus *  7,000 

Trust  fund 1,100 


WU1C1   cUjbClb      • 
1 

Town  debt     . 

Total 

assets 

4»»oo 

$264,700 
$139,467   63 

NUMBER  OF  INHABITANTS,  6,041. 

Males 2,922 

Females .        .        .  3,119 

Under  five  years  of  age         .......  678 

Over  five  and  under  fifteen  years 1,061 

Fifteen  and  upwards              4,3  02 

THE   OLD  BUILDINGS   OF  WAKEFIELD. 

The  march  of  improvement,  very  rapid  and  noticeable  recently,  is 
fast  removing  the  ancient  landmarks  from  our  midst ;  and  a  few  years 
hence  the  visitor  will  search  in  vain  for  the  traces  even  of  their 
former  existence. 

To  give  space  for  the  erection  of  the  new  High  School  Building,  the 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


503 


"Old  Prentiss  House"  was  removed  from  the  site  it  had  so  long 
occupied ;  and  in  view  of  its  removal,  the  following  lines  seem  emi- 
nently appropriate,  and  worthy  of  preservation  :  — 

"  Farewell  to  the  house  where  my  father  was  born, 

I  shall  never  behold  it  again  ; 
Its  roof  and  its  walls  will  soon  fall  to  the  ground, 
Thro'  the  interposition  of  men. 

"  'T  would  be  foolish  to  weep  o'er  this  wreck  of  a  home, 

Which  was  once  of  South  Reading  the  pride ; 
The  '  parsonage  house '  of  an  earlier  day, 
Where  a  past  generation  have  died. 

"  These  walls  once  resounded  with  innocent  mirth, 

When  children  ran  over  the  floor ; 
Wit,  culture,  and  beauty  were  found  by  its  hearth, 
And  piety  guarded  its  door. 

"  Death  came  to  its  chambers  and  took  in  his  prime, 

The  pastor,  the  father,  the  guide  ; 
And  the  grave-yard  adjacent  will  tell  how  his  sons 
And  daughters  lay  down  by  his  side. 

"  The  children  remaining  were  scattered  abroad, 

From  Kentucky  to  picturesque  Maine  ; 
And  around  the  warm  hearth,  once  so  cheerful  and  bright, 
They  never  collected  again. 

"  These  walls  now  so  desolate,  aged,  and  lone, 

My  affection  and  interest  claim  ; 
For  thro'  every  mutation  and  stage  of  decay, 
They  have  borne  the  family  name. 

"  Farewell  to  the  house  where  my  father  was  born  ; 

May  its  timbers  and  boards  help  to  make 
Some  beautiful  place,  which  descendants  may  love, 
As  do  I,  for  the  ancestor's  sake.l  " 

THE  "OLD  HART  HOUSE" 

Was  removed  from  its  ancient  site  in  1857,  and  at  that  time,  the  author 
of  this  history  wrote,  with  reference  to  it,  as  follows  :  — 

"  The  history  and  traditions  connected  with  this  venerable  old  man- 
sion, long  owned  and  occupied  by  the  late  Hon.  John  Hart,  M.  D.,  so 
far  as  we  have  been  able  to  obtain  them  from  a  hasty  inquiry,  are  as 
follows :  — 

"  It  was  erected  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago,  by  the  Smith 
family.  It  appears  that  among  the  early  settlers  of  Reading  was  a 


504  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

John  Smith,  with  his  sons  John  and  Francis,  who  purchased  of  the 
Indians,  for  a  jack-knife,  and  some  other  articles  of  cutlery,  a  consider- 
able tract  of  land  in  the  southeasterly  part  of  what  is  now  South 
Reading,  extending  from  the  northerly  shore  of  *  Smith's  Pond,'  long 
so  called  (now  '  Crystal  Lake '),  into  that  part  of  the  town  called 
'  Little  World.'  The  first  house  erected  by  this  family  stood  very  near 
the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  station  of  the  South  Reading  Branch 
Railroad. 

"  Francis  Smith  succeeded  his  father  at  the  old  homestead ;  married 
Ruth,  daughter  of  Elias  Maverick,  of  Charlestown ;  had  six  sons  and 
three  daughters ;  was  selectman,  innholder,  and  authorized  "by  the 
General  Court  '  to  draw  wine  for  travellers ' ;  was  a  deacon,  and  died 
in  1744,  aged  85  years. 

"  He  gave  to  each  of  his  six  sons  a  farm  out  of  his  own.  Their  names 
were  John,  Isaac,  Abraham,  James,  Benjamin,  and  Elias.  One  lived 
on  the  place  now  the  town  farm ;  one  on  the  place  now  owned  by 
Mr.  Lowell  Emerson ;  one  on  the  place  now  owned  by  Dea.  Ezekiel 
Oliver  ;  one  on  the  '  Walton  farm,'  near  Dea.  Oliver's  ;  one,  probably 
Isaac,  occupied  the  house  which  is  the  subject  of  this  article ;  and  one, 
Benjamin,  succeeded  his  father  on  the  homestead.  We  say  that  Isaac 
probably  lived  in  the  house  now  being  removed,  because  of  the  fact  we 
are  not  certain,  and  because  we  find  from  an  old  map  of  South  Read- 
ing, made  about  one  hundred  years  ago,  that  this  house  was  then  occu- 
pied by  Isaac  Hart ;  and  as  we  learn  that  the  Smith  and  Hart  families 
were  related,  we  infer  that  this  Isaac  Hart  may  have  been  the  succes- 
sor, perhaps  the  namesake  and  relative,  of  said  Isaac  Smith.  Dr.  Hart 
purchased  the  place  about  the  year  1783,  and  occupied  it  until  his 
decease  in  1836.  After  the  death  of  his  widow  in  1838,  the  house 
and  a  portion  of  the  farm  were  sold  to  strangers ;  since  then  it  has 
been  rented  to  various  and  changing  tenants,  and  now  at  last  it 
has  rolled  away.  Venerable  did  edifice !  that  has  long  been  a  land- 
mark in  geography,  as  the  old  maps  of  the  county  will  testify ;  that 
was  esteemed  almost  as  fixed  and  permanent  as  old  Cedar  Mountain, 
at  whose  base  it  stood ;  that  was  once  among  the  most  spacious  and 
respectable  dwelling-houses  of  the  town  ;  that  stood  among  the  highest 
in  the  assessors'  valuation ;  distinguished  as  the  abode  of  wealth,  gen- 
tility, and  professional  power;  the  home  of  wisdom,  refinement,  and 
hospitality,  and  the  nursing-place  of  beauty  and  literature,  —  O  !  how 
lost  and  fallen  from  its  ancient  standing  and  renown  !  Change  has  now 
come  over  it ;  the  auctioneer  has  seized  it,  the  shambles  have  enconr 
passed  it ;  and  after  having  been  for  a  while  a  medium  of  barter  and 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


505 


exchange,  it  has  at  last  become  currency,  and  has  been  passed  off.  It 
has  gone  —  the  place  that  so  long  knew  it  will  know  it  no  more.  '  Thus 
passetli  the  glory  of  the  world  away.'  How  suited  is  this  event  to 


64 


506 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


remind  us  all  that  the  'houses  we  live  in  '  will  soon  fall,  and  to  suggest 
the  importance  of  securing  a  title  to  that  house  '  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens.'" 

If  it  were  within  our  power  and  province  to  reproduce  from  the  dusty 
archives  of  the  vanished  years  the  traditionary  records  connected  with 
ALL  these  ancient  dwellings  (now  so  rapidly  disappearing  from  their 
former  sites),  such  records  would  furnish,  we  presume,  very  many  en- 
tertaining reminiscences ;  but  the  limits  assigned  us  forbid  such  an 
attempt,  and  we  proceed  to  a  brief  inspection  of 


THE  NEW   BUILDINGS  OF  WAKEFIELD. 

Descriptions  of  the  Town  Hall,  and  of  the  High  School  Building, 
appear  elsewhere  in  these  pages ;  and  among  other  new  and  imposing 
public  and  private  structures,  we  select  a  description  of  the  new  Baptist 
Church  edifice,  of  which  a  correct  illustration  has  been  furnished. 

THE  NEW  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

Our  citizens  have  watched  with  general  pride  and  interest  the  gradual 
but  steady  growth  of  the  beautiful  house  of  worship  which  the  Baptist 
Society  have  been  rearing  in  a  most  commanding  and  eligible  location 
at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Lafayette  Streets. 

hi  the  spring  of  1871,  the  capacity  of  their  former  edifice  having 
become  inadequate,  the  society  determined  upon  the  erection  of  a  new 
one,  and  secured  for  that  purpose  the  large  area  now  occupied  by  them 
as  above  mentioned.  Having  secured  this  territory,  building  opera- 
tions were  speedily  commenced,  and  work  upon  the  foundation  was  in 
progress,  when  on  the  night  of  the  2ist  of  June,  1871,  their  old  edifice 
nearly  opposite,  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Crescent  Streets,  was 
destroyed  by  fire.  Since  the  fire,  the  erection  of  the  present  completed 
structure  has  been  pushed  with  zeal,  but  not  with  that  haste  that  would 
necessitate  lack  of  care  or  workmanship.  The  beautiful  building,  as  it 
stands  in  its  completeness,  prominent  among  the  adorning  features  of 
our  main  avenue,  is  as  nearly  perfect  in  all  its  details  as  it  is  well 
possible  for  the  work  of  man  to  be,  and  compels  more  than  denomina- 
tional pride  and  gratification.  Ground  was  broken  for  the  new  edifice 
early  in  June  of  1871,  and  the  building  had  received  the  principal 
external  finish  before  winter  closed  in.  The  final  internal  touches 
have  been  completed,  and  a  general  survey  of  this  elegant  ornament 
and  honor  to  our  town  will  not  be  without  interest  to  our  readers. 


(B  mum  SIS,  WJilKIEIFIIIEILJB. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


SO/ 


The  building  is  of  wood,  and  of  the  Romanesque  order,  which  has 
the  past  few  years  become  quite  the  favorite  with  church-builders ;  and 
the  style  in  this  structure  has  been  nearly  maintained  in  its  purity,  com- 
bining the  sharply  pitched  roof,  the  bastioned  tower,  the  minaret  and 
pinnacles,  and  the  lofty  spire  incident  to  this  order  of  architecture. 

The  building  is  of  the  stone  tint,  popularly  known  as  French  gray, 
and  the  prevailing  tone  forms  a  pleasing  contrast  with  the  green  of  its 
surroundings,  and  the  brighter  colors  of  its  illuminated  windows.  The 
dimensions  of  the  building  are  105  feet  on  the  north  side,  from  the 
front  of  the  tower,  which  projects  two  feet  on  either  angle  from  the 
main  structure  to  the  rear  end  ;  103  feet  on  the  south  side,  71  feet  across 
the  front  end  to  the  point  of  the  tower,  and  69  feet  to  the  rear  end. 
The  distance  to  the  eaves  is  41  feet,  and  to  the  ridge  of  the  roof  75  feet. 
The  height  of  the  tower  and  spire  to  the  point  of  the  vane  is  180  feet, 
making  it  the  loftiest  spire  in  this  region.  The  height  of  the  minaret 
is  too  feet,  and  to  the  tip  of  the  pinnacle  is  75  feet.  The  front  of  the 
building  and  the  tower  are  finished  in  narrow  sheathing,  furred  out  from 
the  building  and  thoroughly  laid,  forming  a  plain  but  elegant  finish, 
admirably  calculated  to  give  the  full  effect  of  the  capitals,  corbels, 
dentels,  etc.,  with  which  it  is  richly  relieved.  The  front  fa9ade,  which 
faces  east,  is  additionally  relieved  by  heavy  pilasters ;  by  an  exceed- 
ingly tasteful  portico  (strongly  brought  out  by  the  unusually  fine  char- 
acter of  its  ornamentation,  the  dentel  work  of  its  pediment,  the 
carvings  of  its  pinnacles,  and  the  capitals  of  its  columns  being  both 
unique  and  beautiful);  by  a  grouped  arrangement  of  the  windows,  and 
by  the  salient  angles  of  the  tower  (which  is  by  far  the  finest  we  remem- 
ber to  have  seen) ;  by  mosaic  belts,  which  are  brought  in  with  fine 
effect  both  on  it  and  on  the  spire  and  upon  the  minaret,  and  by  the 
heavy  mullioned  windows  of  the  tower,  which  are  unusually  fine.  The 
sides  and  rear  end  of  the  building  are  finished  with  clapboards  having 
an  ogee  edge,  and  both  side  elevations  are  relieved  by  sheathed  but- 
tresses, nine  on  each  side,  capped  with  metal  and  tastefully  headed. 
The  southern  fagade  is  further  relieved  by  a  convenient  portico  in  har- 
mony with  the  general  order  of  the  building,  and  of  similar  ornament, 
opening  upon  the  wide  concrete  driveway  leading  to  the  carriage  sheds 
in  the  rear  of  the  church.  A  doorway  at  the  rear  angle  also  relieves 
this  facade,  making  three  entrances  to  the  building.  The  architraves 
of  the  windows,  their  circular  heads,  and  the  coving  finish,  are  all 
especially  fine. 

Ascending  the  easy  slope  from  the  broad  sidewalk  by  a  wide  path  of 
concrete,  we  pass  through  the  main  entrance.  On  either  hand,  as  we 


508 


GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 


enter,  are  doors  leading  to  the  cellar,  the  stairways  thereto  being  amply 
lighted.  Directly  in  front  are  two  pairs  of  doors,  giving  entrance  to  the 
main  vestry,  and  at  the  extreme  of  the  main  hall  at  each  end  a  flight  of 
stairs  ascends  to  the  hall  of  the  main  audience  room.  The  floor  of  the 
hall  is  of  hard  pine,  the  large  door-mats  being  let  into  the  same.  The 
wall  finish  is  a  delightful  combination  of  ash  and  black  walnut.  The 
stairways  have  hard  pine  treads  and  risers,  with  ash  and  black  walnut 
stringers,  and  highly  wrought  black-walnut  balustrades  of  unique  pat- 
terns. The  wall  is  of  smooth  finish,  the  ceiling  being  tinted  a  French 
gray,  with  lines  of  blue,  red,  and  Bismarck  brown,  the  walls  being  of  a 
light  tint  shading  upon  buff.  Three  gas-burners,  of  three  lights  each, 
light  the  lower  hall,  which  also  receives  light  from  the  semicircular 
ornamental  window  over  the  doors  and  the  stairways,  and  lighted  by 
the  windows  on  either  side  set  with  stained  glass,  the  windows  of  the 
lower  story  being  filled  with  flecked  glass.  Ascending  the  stair- 
way, we  reach  the  upper  hall,  which  is  similar  in  most  respects  to 
the  lower,  but  having  a  heavy  black-walnut  balustrade  about  the  large 
aperture  which  opens  in  the  floor,  giving  light,  air,  and  roomy  appear- 
ance to  the  lower  hall.  From  this  hall  four  pairs  of  doors  opening  out- 
ward give  entrance  to  the  main  auditorium.  A  stairway  at  either  end 
gives  access  to  the  balcony,  the  finish-trimmings  of  the  walls  and  wood- 
work being  the  same  as  below  stairs,  as  are  also  the  gas-fixtures. 

The  doors  throughout  the  interior  of  the  building  are  of  ash,  with 
black-walnut  mouldings,  except  the  inside  of  the  doors  of  the  main 
audience  room,  which  are  solid  black  walnut. 

Entering  the  principal  chamber  of  worship,  than  which  few  can  be 
more  beautiful,  one  is  charmed  with  the  simple  elegance  of  the  entire 
whole.  The  lofty  ceiling  divided  into  two  planes  by  the  longitudinal  ribs, 
and  by  a  difference  of  a  few  feet  of  elevation,  and  subdivided  by  trans- 
verse beams,  presents  a  fine  harmony  of  colors,  the  panels  of  the  upper 
plane  being  tinted  cerulean-blue,  picked  with  gold  and  shaded  by  pan- 
nellings  of  delicate  brown ;  the  lower  plane  furnishing  a  combination 
of  flesh  tint,  blue,  buff,  and  bistre,  the  flesh  tint  prevailing,  and  serving 
as  a  ground  for  the  blue  fret-work  openings  for  ventilation. 

Across  the  front  of  the  church  a  wide,  low  balcony  extends,  its  front 
finished  in  the  arcade  pattern,  and  supporting  two  imposts  with  Roman 
chaptrels,  from  which  springs  an  arch  having  in  its  reveal  the  illumined 
group  of  windows  of  the  centre  of  the  church  front,  the  centre  one 
bearing  the  representation  of  the  cross  and  the  crown.  Over  this  arch 
appears  the  inscription  in  illuminated  text,  "My  house  shall  be  called  a 
house  of  prayer."  The  pulpit  platform,  the  front  of  which  is  finished 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


509 


richly  in  arcade  of  black  walnut,  as  is  also  the  desk  itself,  supports 
also  two  imposts,  with  Roman  chaptrels  supporting  an  arch  some  26 
feet  in  diameter,  beneath  which  is  the  pulpit  alcove,  divided  by  a  heavy 
walnut  balustrade  into  areas  for  the  choir  and  for  the  preacher.  Beneath 
that  occupied  by  the  preacher,  the  large  baptistery  is  located,  capable 
of  holding  some  eighteen  hundred  gallons,  and  supplied  with  heating 
facilities,  and  the  most  complete  arrangements  for  use.  On  the  north 
side  of  the  alcove  is  located  the  organ-box,  and  on  the  south  two  doors, 
one  affording  entrance  and  exit  to  the  choir,  and  the  other  passage  to 
and  from  the  rear  vestry  entrance,  the  lower  rear  hall,  the  pastor's 
study,  etc.  The  wall  faces  at  either  hand  of  the  alcove  are  heavily 
mullioned,  that  on  the  north  embracing  the  richly  figured  organ  pipes, 
and  that  on  the  south  containing  in  its  three  divisions  under  the  cap- 
tions, Worship,  Salvation,  and  Service,  selections  of  Scripture  in  illumi- 
nation, while  over  the  pulpit  arch  there  appears,  in  old  English,  the 
text,  "To  you  is  the  word  of  His  Salvation  sent." 

The  fresco  upon  the  rear  wall  of  the  pulpit  alcove  presents  corre- 
sponding columns  of  Roman  design  to  those  supporting  the  arch,  and 
in  the  centre  panel  an  open  Bible,  the  whole  being  well  executed,  while 
the  Rose  window  is  the  finest  in  the  building. 

There  is  a  notable  absence  of  stucco  about  the  interior  ;  the  mould- 
ings, dentels,  drops,  brackets,  corbels,  consoles,  all  being  of  carved 
wood,  and  of  the  most  enduring  class,  and  highest  style  of  art.  The 
walls  are  of  a  general  neutral  tint,  finely  relieved  by  their  pickings  of 
color  and  the  Persian  belt  that  sweeps  the  heads  of  the  windows,  and 
encircles  the  house. 

The  whole  building  is  provided  with  extraordinary  facilities  for  light- 
ing, and  the  pendants  from  the  ceiling  of  the  main  auditorum  are  spe- 
cially tasteful  in  their  color  (blue)  and  their  design.  The  lighting 
arrangements  are  such  that  the  whole  house  can  be  lighted  and  fed  from 
a  small  overflow  pipe,  until  such  time  as  it  may  be  desirable  to  turn  on 
the  main.  The  most  ample  and  sensible  arrangements  for  ventilation 
both  from  the  floor  and  ceiling  are  perfect,  there  being  twelve  ceiling 
and  four  floor  ventilators,  with  extra  opportunities  of  cold  air  supply 
to  furnaces  from  within  and  without. 

The  auditorum  is  67  feet  by  78  feet  long,  exclusive  of  the  pulpit  and 
gallery  alcoves,  and  is  intended  to  seat,  with  the  gallery,  one  thousand 
persons.  The  pews  are  of  a  new  pattern,  are  of  black  walnut,  highly 
ornamented  and  finished,  and  are  more  pleasing  in  their  general  effect 
than  any  we  know  of.  The  carpets  are  a  pleasant  combination  of  red 
and  black,  in  two-ply,  and  are  uniform  throughout  the  house. 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

The  elegant  marble  Howard  clock  upon  the  face  of  the  balcony  was 
the  gift  of  the  children  of  the  late  Lilley  Eaton,  Esq.,  father  of  the  late 
Hon.  Lilley  Eaton.  Descending  to  the  lower  front  hall,  we  open  one  of 
the  double  doors,  descend  a  few  steps,  and  are  in  the  main  vestry, 
finished  like  the  rest  of  the  building  in  ash  and  black  walnut,  and 
divided  by  a  sash  and  wood  partition  (capable  of  being  raised  and  so 
uniting  all)  from  the  adjoining  subordinate  rooms. 

Too  much  praise  cannot  be  bestowed  upon  the  wonderfully  substan- 
tial, skilful,  and  elegant  character  of  the  construction  of  this  edifice. 
Few  buildings  in  any  section  of  the  country  can  boast  of  more  consci- 
entious and  efficient  care  in  their  arrangements  for  stability,  strength, 
and  convenience,  and  the  result  is  alike  creditable,  in  a  high  degree,  to 
the  architect  and  builders. 

RAILROADS. 

The  railroad  facilities  now  enjoyed  by  the  inhabitants  of  Wakefield 
are  so  ample  and  important  as  to  merit  a  brief  description. 

The  extension  of  the  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad  (opened  in  1845) 
from  Wilmington  to  Boston,  thus  placing  this  town  on  its  main  line, 
furnished  easy  and  frequent  communication  with  Boston,  as  also  with 
the  northern  sections  of  the  State  and  of  New  England,  and  contributed 
largely  to  the  growth  of  the  town. 

The  later  construction  of  the  Danvers  Railroad  (nine  miles  to  Dan- 
vers) and  of  the  Newburyport  Railroad  (from  Danvers,  twenty-one  miles 
to  Newburyport),  both  of  which  are  leased  and  operated  by  the  Boston 
and  Maine  Railroad,  opened  avenues  to  another  portion  of  the  State  ; 
while  the  South  Reading  Branch  Railroad  (eight  miles  to  Peabody), 
operated  by  the  Eastern  Railroad,  placed  the  means  of  reaching  Salem 
by  rail  within  reach  of  our  inhabitants. 

Thus,  by  successive  developments,  the  present  town  of  Wakefield 
has  become  an  important  railroad  centre  ;  being  very  nearly  equi- 
distant from  the  cities  of  Boston,'  Cambridge,  Somerville,  Chelsea, 
Lynn,  Salem,  Lawrence,  and  Lowell,  with  the  immediate  prospect  of 
a  closer  connection  with  the  latter  city  by  means  of  the  Andover  and 
Lowell  Railroad  (now  being  constructed),  and  enjoying  means  of  easy 
communication  with  other  flourishing  cities  and  towns,  not  distant 
from  those  above  named. 

As  might  be  expected,  possessing  so  desirable  a  location  and  offer- 
ing so  many  attractive  situations,  the  recent  growth  of  our  town  in 
population  and  resources  has  been  alike  noticeable  and  rapid. 


WAKEFIELD     HALL. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  511 

In  this  sketch  we  have  space  for  but  few  statistics,  and  we  insert 
the  following  figures,  that  the  curious  in  such  matters  may  clearly  note 
the  changes  of  the  recent  years. 

On  the  completion  of  this  portion  of  the  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad, 
in  1845,  it  was  predicted  that  the  present  town  of  Wakefield  would 
furnish  that  road  with  thirty  daily  passengers. 

We  have  no  record  for  that  year ;  but  in  1848,  the  whole  number  of 
passengers  during  the  year,  for  all  points,  was  45,574,  or  an  average  of 
146  daily  passengers. 

In  1873,  the  number  of  Boston  passengers  alone  was  320,172,  or  an 
average  of  1,025  daily  passengers. 

In  1848,  the  whole  amount  of  passenger  and  freight  receipts  at  South 
Reading  was  $12,532.00. 

In  1873,  the  Boston  passengers  to  and  from  Wakefield  furnished  the 
sum  of  $53,186.00. 

THE    PRESENT    TOWN    OF    READING.* 
THE  POST-OFFICE. 

The  Post-office  was  first  established  in  this  town  in  1811,  in  a  build- 
ing that  stood  where  the  bank  now  stands.  Col.  Nathan  Parker  was 
postmaster.  He  was  succeeded  in  1815  by  John  Weston,  Esq.,  who 
held  the  office  until  his  death,  in  1849.  It  was  kept  for  a  time  in  the 
Weston  house  at  "  Hill  End,"  and  then  for  a  short  period  in  Johnson's 
store,  that  stood  where  Thomas  Pratt's  garden  now  is.  It  is  said  that 
Mr.  Ambrose  Kingman  had  charge  of  it  for  a  time,  and  kept  it  in  his 
house.  It  was  then  removed,  and  kept  in  a  house  nearly  opposite 
Lyceum  Hall,  just  south  of  W.  R.  Perkins's  house,  since  removed. 
John  P.  Sherman,  druggist,  was  the  next  postmaster,  appointed  prob- 
ably in  1849  or  '50,  and  the  office  was  kept  in  the  north  side  of  the 
building  occupied  by  Beard's  watch  store.  He  resigned  on  account  of 
ill-health.  Capt.  Thomas  Richardson  became  his  successor,  and  was 
followed  when  the  administration  changed,  or  some  time  subsequently, 
by  Horatio  M.  Gate,  who  was  appointed  by  President  Pierce.  He 
removed  the  office  to  the  market  building.  In  the  Course  of  two  or 
three  years,  C.  D.  Brown  was  appointed  to  the  place,  and  held  it  till 
the  appointment  of  Mr.  Gleason,  the  present  postmaster,  by  President 
Lincoln,  in  May,  1861.  Mr.  Gleason  removed  the  post  office  from 

4   >  The  following  pages  in  this  chapter  have  been  prepared  and  contributed  by  Hiram 
Barrus,  Esq.,  of  Reading. 


512 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


the  market  building  near  Stephen  Foster's,  to  Lyceum  Hall  building. 
It  is  a  noteworthy  fact  that  not  one  of  Mr.  Gleason's  predecessors  is 
living. 

For  many  years  the  Concord  stage  brought  one  mail  a  day  from 
Boston,  over  the  "  turnpike,"  now  Main  Street.  When  the  stage  came 
to  the  top  of  the  hill,  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  in  sight  of  the  vil- 
lage, the  driver  blew  a  powerful  blast  with  an  immense  tin  horn,  which 
was  the  signal  for  getting  another  set  of  horses  ready  on  his  arrival, 
that  he  might  change  his  team  without  delay. 

After  several  years,  Mr.  Samuel  W.  Carter,  who  had  been  doing  a 
general  express  and  freight  business  since  about  1821-2,  put  another 
stage  on  the  route  between  here  and  Boston,  carrying  the  Stoneham 
mail  and  passengers.  He  drove  four  horses,  said  to  have  been  one  of 
the  best  teams  that  went  into  Boston. 

After  politics  began  to  affect  the  post-offices,  another  party  was 
appointed  to  carry  the  mail  to  Stoneham,  via  Maiden.  Many  were 
disaffected  at  the  change,  and  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Reading 
resulted  in  sending  Mr.  H.  G.  Richardson  to  Washington  to  lay  the 
matter  before  the  Postmaster-General.  This  was  in  1843.  On  Mr. 
Richardson's  arrival  at  the  Capitol,  he  obtained  an  introduction  to  the 
Postmaster-General  through  a  former  postmaster  of  Washington  city, 
with  whom  Mr.  Richardson  had  had  business  transactions  for  many 
years.  The  Postmaster-General,  Mr.  Wickliffe,  received  Mr.  R.  very 
cordially,  and  introduced  him  to  Mr.  Hobbie,  the  First  Assistant  Post- 
master General,  who  listened  attentively  to  Mr.  Richardson's  state- 
ments, and  directed  him  to  call  the  next  morning  at  10  o'clock.  With 
characteristic  promptness  Mr.  R.  was  on  hand  at  the  moment,  and  was 
assured  that  his  requests  would  be  granted,  and  the  papers  promptly 
forwarded. 

An  interesting  incident  occurred  while  Mr.  Richardson  was  sitting 
in  the  Postmaster-General's  office.  An  old  man  who  had  been  for 
some  time  quietly  sitting  there,  said  to  Mr.  R.,  "  Young  man,  where 
do  you  belong  ? "  —  "  In  Boston,  Massachusetts."  —  "  Your  name  ?  " 
"  Richardson." — "  Well,  my  name  is  Richard  M.  Johnson.  I  am  glad 
to  see  you.  I  am  always  glad  to  see  a  citizen  of  Massachusetts.'.' — "  I 
am  glad  to  see  you,  sir,  responded  Mr.  Richardson,  who  also  referred 
to  the  ex- Vice  President's  fight  with  Tecumseh.  Col.  Johnson  contin- 
ued, "  Yes,  I  have  reason  to  remember  it.  You  see  I  still  carry  the 
marks  of  those  days."  He  then  exhibited  his  arm,  which  was  deeply 
engraved  with  frightful  scars.  Reference  was  made  to  his  age., 
"  Young  man,"  said  he,  firing  up  with  what  must  have  been  something 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


513 


of  his  youthful  vigor,  "  young  man,  if  my  services  were  again  needed, 
I  would  mount  my  horse  soon  as  ever."  Mr.  Richardson  returned, 
and  the  desired  arrangements  were  soon  established.  Mr.  Carter  con- 
tinued to  carry  the  mail  till  after  the  opening  of  the  Boston  and  Maine 
Railroad,  which  commenced  running  its  trains  through  this  town  July 
i,  1845. 

LIBRARIES. 

The  first  library  in  the  West  Parish,  now  Reading,  was  established 
Sept.  27,  1791,  and  was  known  by  the  name  of  "  The  Federal  Library." 
It  was  owned*  and  managed  by  an  association  which  held  its  first  meet- 
ing at  the  date  above  given.  Rev.  Peter  Sanborn,  .Dea.  Timothy 
Pratt,  John  Emerson,  John  Temple,  and  John  Weston,  were  a  commit- 
tee "to  take  care  of  the  affairs  of  the  society."  Mr.  Sanborn  was  the 
first  librarian,  and  seems  to  have  served  till  1814.  It  had  a  membership 
of  about  sixty  persons.  Rights  of  membership  were  sold  at  first,  at 
a  dollar  each,  which  was  afterwards  increased  to  two  dollars,  and  an 
annual  tax  of  twenty-five  cents. 

In  1817  the  association  assumed  the  form  and  powers  of  a  corpo- 
ration. Abijah  Weston  was  chosen  clerk ;  John  Weston,  librarian  ; 
David  Emerson,  treasurer.  The  number  of  members  increased  to 
seventy-five,  and  the  librarian  was  paid  five  dollars  per  annum  for  his 
services.  The  records  close  in  1830.  The  books  were  sold  at  public 
auction  Jan.  24,  1831.  Jonathan  Frost  and  Charles  Parker,  the  com- 
mittee making  the  sale,  reported  the  number  of  books  sold  273.  Net 
proceeds  $97.12,  to  be  divided  among  fifty-seven  proprietors.  This 
closed  the  existence  of  the  "  Federal  Library "  at  the  age  of  forty 
years. 

The  next  was  known  as  the  "  Franklin  Library."  The  application 
of  the  proprietors  for  a  meeting  to  organize  was  dated  Dec.  25,  1841. 
It  was  signed  by  Stephen  Foster,  Dr.  Kendall  Davis,  H.  G.  Richardson, 
and  others.  The  organization  was  completed  Jan.  i,  1842.  John 
Batchelder,  3d,  was  elected  president;  Geo.  Bancroft,  vice  do. ;  Oliver 
Peabody,  clerk,  treasurer,  and  librarian ;  Kendall  Davis,  Thomas 
Sweetser,  Stephen  Foster,  Nathan  P.  Sherman,  Haven  P.  Cook,  Chas. 
Newman,  Loea  Parker,  curators.  The  ponstitution  and  by-laws  were 
signed  by  one  hundred  and  three  persons,  who  probably  included 
nearly  all  that  ever  belonged  to  the  association.  The  terms  of  admis- 
sion were  two  dollars  for  each  member,  with  an  annual  tax  of  fifty 
cents.  Dr.  H.  P.  Wakefield  succeeded  Mr.  Batchelder  as  president  in 
1855  ;  Milo  Parker  followed  in  1858  ;  J.  H.  Bancroft,  1860  ;  Stephen 
65 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Foster,  1862.  In  1869,  by  vote  of  the  members,  the  library  —  four 
hundred  and  sixty-two  volumes — was  transferred  to  the  trustees  of  the 
Reading  Public  Library.  The  last  meeting  of  the  members  was  held 
Jan.  7,  1871,  practically  dissolving  the  association  after  an  existence  of 
thirty  years. 

The  Agricultural  Library  Association  was  formed  in  March,  1860. 
N.  P.  Pratt,  Esq.,  was  its  first  president ;  Thos.  E.  Prescott,  vice-presi- 
dent ;  J.  W.  Manning,  secretary  ;  Thos.  Richardson,  librarian.  The 
members  paid  each  five  dollars  as  admission  fee.  Mr.  Richardson  con- 
tinued to  serve  as  librarian  till  his  decease  in  April,  1864.  Miss  Emily 
Ruggles  was  his  successor.  The  books,  numbering  one  Hundred  and 
sixty-six  volumes,  were  transferred  to  the  town  library  in  January,  1869. 
Mr.  Manning  was  the  only  person  who  served  as  secretary  of  the  asso- 
ciation. 

The  present  public  library  was  established  by  votes  of  the  town 
passed  March  2,  1868,  and  Nov.  3,  1868.  The  trustees  chosen  were: 
Ephraim  Hunt,  Edward  Appleton,  Chauncey  P.  Judd,  Francis  H. 
Knight,  Hiram  Barrus,  and  William  Proctor ;  the  amount  of  money 
appropriated,  five  hundred  dollars.  The  trustees  organized  by  the 
choice  of  E.  Hunt,  president,  and  F.  H.  Knight,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer. The  whole' number  of  volumes  procured  during  the  first  year 
was  823.  Of  these,  199  volumes  were  presented  by  school  districts 
Nos-  5,  8,  and  9  ;  186  by  the  Appleton  family;  18  by  F.  H.  Knight; 
210  by  purchase  ;  and  the  remainder  by  donations  from  various 
sources.  The  library,  located  in  the  high  school  building,  was  opened 
for  circulation  of  books  Feb.  17,  1869,  Miss  Mattie  H.  Appleton, 
librarian.  During  the  following  year  the  library  received  a  donation  of 
five  hundred  dollars  from  Dr.  Horace  P.  Wakefield,  which  amount  was 
offered  in  1867,  on  condition  that  the  town  should  appropriate  an  equal 
sum  for  the  founding  of  a  public  library.  In  1871,  a  donation  of  one 
hundred  dollars  was  received  from  the  estate  of  T.  Ward  Hartshorn ; 
Loton  Parker  presented  228  volumes;  Edward  Appleton  and  sister, 
38;  Rev.  Dr.  Barrows,  15  ;  John  B.  Lewis,  Jr.,  100;  and,  with  other 
liberal  donations  from  friends  of  the  institution,  added  to  the  purchases 
by  the  town,  the  number  of  volumes  in  the  library,  reported  March, 
1871,  was  2,475.  F.  O.  Dewey,  Esq.,  the  largest  donor  since  that  date, 
presented  in  1873,  a  complete  set,  numbering  115  nicely  bound  vol- 
umes, of  "Littell's  Living  Age." 

Dr.  Hunt  resigned  his  position  as  trustee  of  the  library  in  April, 
1871.  F.  O.  Dewey  was  chosen  his  successor,  and  Edward  Appleton, 
president.  Stephen  Foster,  Esq.,  succeeded  C.  P.  Judd,  Esq.,  in  1872. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  5  [5 

The  remaining  trustees  belonging  to  the  original  board  are  still  in  ser- 
vice. Miss  Appleton  resigned  her  position  as  librarian  in  the  summer 
of  1873,  and  Miss  Alice  Temple  was  appointed.  The  library  was 
removed  the  same  season  to  the  Perkins  building,  corner  of  Woburn 
and  Lowell  Streets.  The  whole  number  of  books  then  reported  as 
catalogued  was  3,237  volumes.  The  whole  number  of  volumes  taken 
out  for  circulation  during  the  year  was  14,671. 

THE   READING  CHRONICLE. 

The  publication  of  the  "Reading  Chronicle"  was  commenced  in 
1870  by  H.  C.  Gray,  Esq.  The  first  number  was  issued  Saturday, 
May  28th.  The  first  local  item  relating  to  Reading  announces  that  a 
veteran  association  has  been  formed,  and  Col.  C.  D.  Wright  has  been 
chosen  commander.  Another  item  refers  to  the  death  of  Mrs.  C.  Au- 
gusta Soule,  Aug.  2oth,  at  Newark,  N.  J.t  sister  of  Dr.  E.  Hunt,  of  this 
town,  and  formerly  a  teacher  in  the  Reading  High  School.  Reference 
is  also  made  to  the  Reading  Brass  Band,  which  flourished  for  several 
years ;  and  to  the  services  of  Wm.  H.  Temple  as  auctioneer,  who  still 
continues  to  act  in  that  vocation.  S.  Temple  &  Co.  advertise  millinery 
goods,  now  succeeded  by  Miss  Charlotte  Buck ;  R.  M.  Boyce  offers 
coal  for  sale  ;  Charles  Schweizer  supplies  bread,  cake,  and  pastry  from 
his  bakery,  now  carried  on  by  J.  &  T.  Carley ;  J.  W.  Manning,  nursery- 
man, offers  fruit  trees,  in  large  variety,  and  fifty  kinds  of  grapes,  which 
business  he  still  pursues  with  undiminished  energy. 

THE   READING   FEMALE  ANTISLAVERY   SOCIETY. 

The  preamble  of  this  society  explains  its  purposes  and  objects  in  the 
following  language  :  — 

"  Whereas  we  believe  that  slavery  is  contrary  to  the  precepts  of  Chris- 
tianity, dangerous  to  the  liberties  of  the  country,  and  ought  immediately 
to  be  abolished  ;  and  whereas  we  believe  that  the  citizens  of  New  Eng- 
land not  only  have  the  right  to  protest  against  it,  but  are  under  the 
highest  obligations  to  seek  its  removal  by  moral  influence ;  and  whereas 
we  believe  that  the  free  people  of  color  are  unrighteously  oppressed, 
and  stand  in  need  of  our  sympathy  and  benevolent  co-operation  ;  there- 
fore, recognizing  the  inspired  declaration,  that  God  hath  made  of  one 
blood  all  nations  of  men  for  to  dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth,  and 
in  obedience  to  our  Saviour's  golden  rule,  'All  things  whatsoever  ye 
would  that  men  should  do  unto  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them,'  we  agree 


516  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

to  form  ourselves  into  a  society  to  be  governed  by  the  following  consti- 
tution." 

The  object  of  the  society  is  declared  to  be,  to  endeavor,  by  all  means 
sanctioned  by  law,  humanity,  and  religion,  to  effect  the  abolition  of 
slavery  in  the  United  States ;  to  improve  the  character  and  condition 
of  the  free  people  of  color  ;  to  inform  and  correct  public  opinion  in 
relation  to  their  situation  and  rights,  and  obtain  for  them  equal  civil 
and  political  rights  and  privileges  with  the  whites. 

The  payment  of  three  dollars  constituted  a  membership  for  life,  or 
the  payment  of  twenty  cents,  membership  for  a  year,  with  power  to  vote 
in  all  meetings.  The  society  met  in  Union  Hall,  and  organized  March 
22,  1833,  choosing  the  following  officers  :  Mrs.  Sarah  Reid,  president; 
Mrs.  Sarah  Parker,  vice-president ;  Mrs.  Hepzibah  S.  Temple,  secre- 
tary ;  Mrs.  Esther  Kingman,  treasurer ;  Mrs.  Julia  P.  Eaton,  Mrs.  Su- 
san S.  Perkins,  Mrs.  Sophronia  Kingman,  Mrs.  Susan  W.  Peabody, 
Miss  Lucy  Parker,  counsellors. 

The  first  name  on  the  list  of  members  was  that  of  Mrs.  Polly  Chute, 
wife  of  Daniel  Chute,  Esq.,  a  lady  then  about  seventy  years  of  age. 

The  first  vote  of  the  society,  after  adopting  their  constitution,  was  for 
appropriating  money  to  Mr.  Garrison's  mission.  The  records  being 
defective  at  this  point,  a  letter  of  inquiry  to  Mr.  Garrison  elicited  the 
following  interesting  reply :  — 

ROXBURY,  March  4,  1874. 

DfcAR  SIR  :  In  answer  to  your  letter  of  inquiry,  I  would  state  that  I  have  care- 
fully examined  the  early  copies  of  the  "  Liberator."  and  I  find  that  the  historical  honor 
belongs  to  Reading  of  giving  birth  to  the  first  Female  Antislavery  Society  ever 
formed  in  this  country.  .  .  . 

In  the  month  of  May  of  that  year,  1833,  I  went  on  my  first  antislavery  mission  to 
Great  Britain  ;  and  among  the  credentials  I  carried  to  commend  me  to  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  British  abolitionists  was  an  approving  testimony  from  the  Reading 
Female  Antislavery  Society,  which,  in  the  dearth  of  such  testimonies  at  that  time, 
was  of  real  service  to  me,  and  elicited  so  kind  a  response  from  the  antislavery  ladies 
of  England  as  to  cause  the  following  action  :  — 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  Reading  Female  Antislavery  Society,  on  the  2gth  of  October, 
1833,  called  for  the  purpose  of  hearing  the  letters  sent  to  us  from  the  ladies  in  Eng- 
land, and  also  to  dispose  of  their  presents,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted :  — 

"  Resolved,  That  to  the  ladies  of  England  we  extend  the  hand  of  affection,  recipro- 
cate their  good  feelings,  and  cherish  their  presents  as  mementoes  of  those,  our  fellow- 
beings,  who  are  groping  in  worse  than  Egyptian  darkness,  and  whom  they,  in  common 
with  us,  are  striving  to  put  in  possession  of  all  those  rights  which  nature  and  nature's 
God  ever  intended  they  should  enjoy." 

This  society  continued  for  several  years  to  be  an  efficient  antislavery  instrumen- 
tality, and  helped  to  give  a  strong  impetus  to  the  whole  movement.  You  very  justly 
say,  —  "  The  time  has  come  when  such  efforts  are  remembered  with  respect,"  —  and 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


517 


I  am  glad  to  know  that  you  are  "  desirous  that  the  ladies  of  Reading  should  have  all 
the  honor  they  deserve  "  ;  and  that  I  conceive  to  be  very  great. 

But  Reading  has  not  only  the  honor  of  having  formed  the  first  female  antislavery 
society,  but  also  the  first  male  society  auxiliary  to  the  New  England  Antislavery 
Society.  The  latter  was  formed  on  the  I3th  of  March,  1833,  a  few  days  prior  to  the 
former.  Its  officers  were  :  president,  Rev.  Jared  Reid  ;  vice-president.  Capt.  Jonas 
Parker ;  secretary,  Horace  P.  Wakefield ;  treasurer,  Ambrose  Kingman ;  counsel- 
lors, Enoch  Peabody,  Jesse  Frost,  Hiram  D.  Sweetser,  Henry  Kingman,  Caleb  Mc- 
Intire. 

This  society  was  also  very  active  and  efficient.     For  some  time  Reading  continued 
to  be  "  the  banner  town  "  in  the  antislavery  conflict 
Respectfully  yours, 

WM.    LLOYD   GARRISON. 

HIRAM  BARRUS,  ESQ. 

It  is  unfortunate  that  the  letters  from  the  ladies  of  England  cannot 
be  found.  They  were  probably  destroyed  in  the  fire  that  consumed  the 
house  of  Mr.  Ambrose  Kingman,  in  1865.  The  presents  referred  to 
consisted  of  a  china  tea-set,  each  piece  ornamented  with  a  picture  repre- 
senting a  kneeling  slave,  with  manacled  hands  raised  in  the  attitude  of 
prayer.  These  were  distributed  among  the  members,  and  are  still  pre- 
served with  religious  care. 

The  records  of  the  society  show  that  it  was  actively  engaged  in  car- 
rying out  its  professions.  Frequent  contributions  of  money  were  made 
to  the  antislavery  societies  in  Boston  and  New  York,  and  to  special 
objects.  Appropriations  were  made  in  behalf  of  Miss  Prudence  Cran- 
dall,  of  Canterbury,  Conn.,  who  was  "suffering  under  the  wicked  law  of 
that  State  for  endeavoring  by  her  personal  instructions  to  elevate  the 
intellectual  and  moral  character,  and  thus  improve  the  condition,  of  a 
portion  of  the  free  people  of  color."  Aid  was  sent  to  Rev.  S.  J.  May, 
agent  of  the  American  Antislavery  Society;  to  Rev.  H.  Wilson  rnd 
Father  Hanson,  for  the  support  of  colored  schools  in  Canada ;  to  the 
African  captives  taken  in  1840  on  board  the  brig  "  Amistad";  to  Rev. 
Charles  T.  Torrey,  the  antislavery  martyr ;  to  the  New  York  and  Bos- 
ton vigilance  committees  in  charge,  probably,  of  the  famous  under- 
ground railroad.  Antislavery  documents  were  circulated  among  the 
people,  and  lectures  by  distinguished  advocates  were  given  in  behalf  of 
the  cause.  Names  were  obtained  and  petitions  sent  to  Congress  against 
the  admission  of  slave  States,  and  among  those  presented  by  John 
Quincy  Adams,  for  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia, 
was  one  forwarded  from  this  society. 

The  records  of  the  society  close  in  1850.  Mrs.  Sarah  G.  Temple 
was  then  chosen  president ;  Mrs.  Rebecca  Parker,  vice-president ;  Mrs. 
Nancy  A.  Gleason,  secretary  ;  Miss  Elizabeth  Gardner,  treasurer.  The 


518  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

counsellors  were  Mistresses  Clarissa  E.  Weston,  Selina  Cheney,  Sarah 
Wakefield,  Elizabeth  Porter,  Roxana  G.  Weston. 


RAILROADS   AND   EXPRESSES. 

The  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad,  when  first  built,  did  not  run  through 
this  town.  Its  trains  from  Wilmington  to  Boston  passed  over  the  track 
of  the  Lowell  Road. 

In  January,  1843,  Mr.  W.  R.  Perkins,  learning  that  an  effort  was 
making  for  extending  the  railroad  from  Wilmington  through  Woburn 
to  Boston,  immediately  set  to  work  to  divert  it  from  that,  to  its  present 
route.  Messrs.  Stephen  Foster  and  Sylvester  Harnden,  with  Mr.  Per- 
kins, visited  Haverhill  to  see  the  president  of  the  road,  Mr.  West,  who 
met  them  on  the  following  day,  with  Mr.  Hayward,  the  engineer,  at 
Wilmington,  and  went  over  the  proposed  route.  A  hasty  survey  re- 
sulted, and  in  ten  days  from  the  start,  the  petition  for  the  road  was 
brought  before  the  Legislature,  with  plans  and  estimates. 

Substantial  aid  was  rendered  by  Messrs.  Thaddeus  B.  Pratt,  Joshua 
Prescott,  Thomas  Sweetser,  H.  G..  Richardson,  Daniel  Pratt,  Abiel 
Holden,  Warren  Perkins,  and  others  of  Reading;  and  lion.  Lilley 
Eaton,  Dr.  Thaddeus  Spaulding,  Benj.  B.  Wiley,  and  others  of  South 
Reading,  now  Wakefield. 

A  charter  was  procured  after  a  short  but  memorable  struggle,  and 
the  road  was  located  over  the  present  route.  The  speech  of  Dr.  Wake- 
field,  then  a  member  of  the  House  from  Oakham,  during  the  contest, 
is  still  remembered  and  referred  to,  as  one  of  his  best  and  most  success- 
ful efforts.  It  presented  the  claims  of  this  route  in  a  strong  light,  and 
greatly  aided  in  securing  the  passage  of  the  act  of  incorporation. 

The  first  train  over  the  road  was  from  Portland,  in  the  afternoon  of 
July  i,  1845.  Mr.  Calvin  Temple  was  station  agent  here  then,  and 
continued  in  the  service  till  Jan.  i,  1866.  The  fare  to  Boston  was  at 
first  thirty  cents,  but  it  was  soon  reduced  to  twenty-five,  and  packages 
of  fifty  tickets  were  sold  as  family  tickets  at  twelve  and  one  half  cents 
each. 

The  old  depot,  used  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  by  the 
people  of  this  town,  was  the  largest  structure  of  the  kind,  and  origi- 
nally designed  to  be  the  best  and  most  convenient,  on  the  Boston  and 
Maine  Railroad,  out  of  the  city.  It  sheltered  both  tracks,  and  was 
more  than  one  hundred  feet  in  length.  It  was  erected  in  1845,  and 
came  near  destruction  at  the  time  of  the  burning  of  the  wood-sheds 
and  freight  house,  April  18,  1868.  The  present  depot,  on  the  side  of 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


519 


the  track,  has  been  in  use  about  two  years.  Another  new  depot  has 
been  erected  near  Mr.  O.  Foote's,  a  half  mile  north  of  the  present 
station. 

Of  the  original  conductors,  Messrs.  Tucker  and  Smith  are  still  em- 
ployed. Aborn,  conductor,  was  then  station  agent  at  South  Reading, 
and  Smart  was  conductor  of  a  freight  train.  Mr.  Wm.  Carter  has  been 
conductor  since  1855.  Mr.  Clark,  the  present  station  agent,  succeeded 
Mr.  Temple. 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Emerson  did  a  general  express  and  freight  business 
between  Reading  and  Boston  for  many  years  previous  to  1820.  He 
drove  a  team  of  two  yoke  of  oxen  and  a  horse.  He  usually  started  for 
Boston  in  the  afternoon,  stopping  at  Charlestown  for  the  night,  went 
into  the  city  the  next  morning,  gathered  up  his  load  and  returned  to 
Reading  before  he  slept,  unless  he  slept  by  the  way,  for  he  often  did 
not  reach  home  till  midnight.  He  sometimes  spent  a  day  extra  on  the 
way  doing  a  job  of  plowing  or  other  team  work  for  persons  who  desired 
his  help.  Evidently  the  steam  whistle  had  not  worked  people  up  to 
the  appreciation  of  telegraph  lines  and  lightning  trains  as  mediums  for 
doing  business  at  that  time.  About  the  year  1821  or  '22,  Mr.  Carter, 
as  before  stated,  commenced  the  express  and  freight  business,  using 
horses,  going  to  the  city  twice  a  week  and  returning  the  same  day. 
There  were  three  stores  here  that  did  considerable  business  at  that 
time,  —  Thomas  Pratt's,  Thomas  Parker's,  and  Daniel  Pratt's. 

Mr.  Carter  sold  his  express  and  freight  business  soon  after  putting 
on  his  stage,  to  Capt.  Thomas  Richardson.  Mr.  Stowell  succeeded 
him,  and  at  his  death  the  business  fell  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Cum- 
mings,  the  present  efficient  proprietor  of  the  original  line. 

Mr.  C.  H.  Lang  has,  since  his  return  from  service  in  the  late  war, 
been  also  doing  a  successful  business  in  that  department. 

Our  modern  facilities  for  rapid  conveyance  and  intercourse  with  all 
parts  of  the  country  and  the  world,  do  not  enable  us  to  appreciate  the 
difficulties  that  surrounded  our  forefathers.  Long  journeys  were  made 
chiefly  on  horseback  or  on  foot.  Forty-five  years  ago,  Erie  canal 
packet  boats  were  a  popular  means  of  conveyance  for  travellers  from 
Albany  to  Buffalo. 

Heavy  freights  were  transported  by  ox  teams.  "  Going  West "  for  a 
long  period  did  not  imply  going  beyond  the  bounds  of  Massachusetts. 
Early  in  the  present  century,  "  The  West "  was  understood  to  be  in 
central,  and  then  in  western  New  York  ;  or  in  the  "  Western  Reserve," 
Ohio,  and  so  onward  till  it  finally  had  as  little  of  definiteness  in  its 
meaning  as  had  "  The  North  "  in  England,  when  Pope  wrote  :  — 


520  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

"  Ask  where  's  the  North,  —  at  York,  't  is  on  the  Tweed  ; 
In  Scotland,  at  the  Oreades  ;  and  there, 
At  Greenland,  Zembla,  or  the  Lord  knows  where." 

.  The  early. roads  were  little  more  than  bridle  paths  from  one  neigh- 
borhood to  another,  — 

"  Winding  as  old  roads  will, 
Here  to  a  school-house,  and  there  to  a  mill." 

Those  who  had  horses  used  the  pannier,  a  sort  of  basket,  or  the 
wallet,  a  bag  that,  like  the  pannier,  hung  on  each  side  of  the  horse, 
over  his  back,  in  which  parcels  were  carried. 

Squire  Sweetser,  now  in  his  eightieth  year,  relates  that  when  a  small 
boy,  he  went  in  company  with  two  of  his  brothers  to  Poole's  mill  to 
catch  alewives,  taking  a  horse  with  them  to  aid  in  bringing  home  the 
fish.  One  boy  rode  astride  the  horse,  and  one  in  the  wallet  on  each 
side.  They  had  unexpectedly  good  luck,  and  caught  several  bushels  of 
fish,  which  they  carried  home  upon  the  horse.  Instead  of  the  expected 
commendation  for  their  successful  expedition,  they  were  mildly  rebuked 
by  their  father  for  the  unmerciful  burden  they  had  inflicted  upon  the 
horse. 

Squire  James  Bancroft  had  a  chaise  as  early  as  1790. 

Wagons  began  to  be  used  a  little  previous  to  1807.  Rev.  Mr.  San- 
born  had  one  of  the  first.  Mr.  Ephraim  Weston  at  that  time  had  a 
chaise,  and  probably  there  were  others.  Col.  Nathan  Parker  had,  about 
the  same  time,  a  farm  wagon  which  had  an  iron  axle,  the  first  in  use 
here. 

During  the  winter  months,  hand-sleds  were  mnch  used  for  the  trans- 
portation of  the  lighter  articles  of  commerce.  Shoes,  produce,  etc., 
were  carried  to  the  cities,  and  supplies  obtained  for  the  family.  Salem 
was  more  popular  as  a  place  for  trade,  till  a  comparatively  recent  date, 
than  was  Boston.  Parties  of  several  men,  each  with  a  loaded  hand- 
sled,  frequently  went  to  Salem  in  company,  going  and  returning  the 
same  day. 

Newhall's  tavern,  near  the  present  Lynnfield  hotel,  was  the  usual 
halting  place  for  rest,  refreshment,  and  the  indispensable  "  mug  of  flip." 
One  of  these  parties  in  a  happy  mood,  before  starting  off  homeward  in 
the  evening  from  this  tavern,  added  a  heavy  stone  to  the  load  of  one, 
who  had  rather  boasted  over  the  others  of  his  superior  strength  and 
agility.  The  stone  had  a  free  ride  to  Reading,  and  the  weariness  it 
brought  to  the  one  that  drew  it  was  greatly  enjoyed  by  those  who  per- 
petrated the  practical  joke.  Mr.  Phineas  Sweetser,  uncle  of  Thomas, 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


521 


Esq.,  when  once  drawing  his  sled  load  of  shoes  to  Boston,  found  the 
rivers  so  open  that  he  was  obliged  to  go  around  the  city  and  come  in 
over  Roxbury  Neck.  After  doing  his  business,  he  took  on  another 
load,  and  retracing  his  steps  came  home  the  same  night,  nearly  ex- 
hausted. 

MERCANTILE   AFFAIRS. 

The  first  intimation  of  there  being  a  store  in  this  part  of  the  town'  is 
found  among  the  writings  of  James  Bancroft,  Esq.,  in  a  paper  dated  May 
15,  1761.  It  commences  with  the  preamble,  "  Whereas  I,  James  Ban- 
croft, of  Reading,  have  lately  been  at  considerable  expense  to  furnish 
myself  with  sundry  sorts  of  West  India  goods  (and  other  goods),  as  mo- 
lasses, sugar,  rice,  tea,  coffee,  etc.,  and  earthenware,  in  order  to  accom- 
modate my  neighbors,  determining  to  sell  the  same  as  reasonably  as  they 
are  sold  at  Medford,  Charlestown,  and  Boston.  ...  I  think  it  might  be 
an  advantage  to  me  by  increasing  my  custom,  and  to  others  by  accommo- 
dating them,  if  I  might  be  approbated  and  have  license  to  sell  spiritu- 
ous liquors."  The  paper  asks  for  signatures  signifying  a  willingness 
that  he  should  be  a  retailer  of  spirits ;  but  as  no  names  are  subscribed, 
and  as  there  is  no  other  evidence  to  suggest  that  he  engaged  in  the 
sale  of  spirits,  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  paper  was  ever  presented  for 
signatures.  How  long  he  continued  to  sell  the  other  kinds  of  goods 
.named  is  unknown. 

The  first  store  of  any  importance  in  the  village  was  that  of  William 
Johnson,  which  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1801.  It  stood  in  the  garden, 
just  below  the  present  store  of  Mr.  Thomas  Pratt.  Johnson  built  a 
house  in  connection  with  it  the  next  year,  which  was  the  second  house 
built  on  the  common,  Rev.  Mr.  Sanborn's  being  the  first.  The  Johnson 
house  was  removed  in  1855  or  '6,  and  is  the  house  now  owned  by  the 
heirs  of  Thomas  Day.  The  house  of  Mr.  Silas  Smith  was  probably  the 
next.  The  house  of  Mr.  James  Davis,  then  owned  and  occupied  by 
Col.  Nathan  Parker,  was  built  earlier,  and  was  occupied  for  a  long 
series  of  years  as  a  tavern. 

The  store  of  Mr.  Thomas  Parker,  on  the  lot  near  where  the  house  of 
the  late  Sylvester  Harnden  stands,  was  probably  opened  about  1810,  or 
soon  after.  Mr.  Parker  built  a  house  adjoining  it  in  1828,  which  was 
removed  to  make  room  for  Mr.  Harnden's  house,  now  owned  by  Col. 
Carroll  D.  Wright.  Mr.  Parker  continued  his  store  till  his  decease, 
Oct.  3,  1832. 

Mr.  Ephraim  Weston  had  a  store  in  the  western  part  of  the  town  as 
early  as  1807,  in  connection  with  the  shoe  business.     The  store  was 
66  * 


522 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


continued  by  his  sons  till  Mr.  Holden  took  it  for  a  year  or  two,  and  it 
was  then  resumed  by  Mr.  Weston,  who  kept  it  till  1833.  In  that  year 
his  grandson,  J.  Brooks  Leathe,  purchased  the  goods,  and  continued 
the  business  till  1864,  when  he  relinquished  it  to  enter  upon  the  duties 
of  U.  S.  assistant  assessor  in  the  Internal  Revenue  Department.  This 
office  he  held  till  the  office  of  assessor  was  abolished  in  1873. 

Daniel  Pratt,  Esq.,  continued  a  dry  goods  and  grocery  store  for  many 
years  in  connection  with  his  shoe  business.  Thomas  Pratt,  his  brother, 
as  intimated  in  another  connection,  was  probably  longer  in  the  busi- 
ness than  any  other  person  that  has  lived  here.  For  many  years 
Reading  was  the  centre  of  trade  for  Wilmington,  Tewksbury,  Middle- 
ton,  and  several  other  neighboring  towns,  and  the  stores  here  had  a 
flourishing  business.  Medford  rum  was  formerly  a  very  popular  article 
of  traffic,  and  one  of  the  stores  is  said  to  have  sold  it  at  the  rate  of  a 
hogshead  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  gallons  per  week,  while  another 
was  thought  to  have  sold  twice  that  amount. 

Mr.  Thomas  Pratt  has  transferred  his  business  to  his  son  Thomas 
B.,  who  continues  to  carry  it  on  at  the  old  stand,  where  it  has  been 
pursued  for  more  than  half  a  century. 

Mr.  William  Parker  commenced  in  the  grocery  and  West  India 
goods  trade  in  1830,  in  a  store  that  stood  near  where  W.  R.  Perkins's 
house  is  located.  He  afterwards  occupied  the  store  of  D.  Pratt,  Esq., 
for  a  time,  and  then  the  Thomas  Parker  store.  In  1841,  he  removed 
to  the  store  he  now  occupies.  This  building  was  first  erected  for  a 
store,  in  Wakefield.  It  was  removed  to  Mr.  Etson  Damon's,  and  used 
for  a  time  as  a  cabinet  shop. 

Mr.  F.  Fletcher  opened  a  dry  goods  store  here  about  1855.  He  had 
previously  been  in  the  trade  about  ten  years.  He  was  first  to  occupy 
the  late  post-office  room  in  Lyceum  Hall  building,  which  he  left  to  be 
the  first  to  occupy  one  of  the  stores  in  the  Bank  building,  where  he 
remained  till  he  built  his  present  store.  He  deals  in  ready-made 
clothing,  and  employs  tailors  for  custom  work. 

Mr.  Amos  Temple  was  several  years  a  dry  goods  dealer  here  in  the 
store  now  occupied  by  Reed  &  Buck. 

Mr.  James  Reid,  who  was  formerly  associated  with  Mr.  Fletcher, 
commenced  dealing  in  dry  goods  in  1866.  He  still  pursues  the  busi- 
ness in  company  with  Mr.  George  F.  Buck. 

Mr.  Jonathan  Frost  began  to  trade  in  1828,  in  the  Spokesfield  house, 
and  in  1831  removed  to  his  present  residence.  He  still  continues  the 
business. 

Miss  Sukey  Parker,  daughter  of  Benjamin,  had  the  first  dry  goods 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


523 


and  millinery  establishment  here.  It  was  kept  in  the  store  that  stood 
where  Mr.  Foster's  house  is,  previous  to  1823,  and  afterwards  in  Market 
building  till  about  1850.  The  boys  of  her  time  remember  an  ancient 
looking  picture,  which  she  preserved  with  pious  care,  and  impressed 
them  with  the  belief  that  it  was  a  likeness  of  the  Saviour  painted  from 
the  original.  The  present  milliners  are  Mrs.  Abbie  Nichols,  Miss 
Charlotte  Buck,  and  Mrs.  H.  B.  Remick. 

Mr.  Silas  Smith  kept  a  limited  stock  of  dry  goods  for  several  years  in 
the  house  built  by  him  and  still  occupied  by  his  widow,  90  years  of  age, 
the  oldest  person  in  town,  save  one.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Aaron 
Parker,  and  sister  of  Dea.  Jabez  D.  Parker.  Mr.  Smith  was  the  prin- 
cipal dealer  in  cotton  sheetings,  being  manufacturer's  agent  for  the  sale 
in  this  vicinity.  His  son  Cyrus  was  for  a  time  engaged  in  the  business, 
and  kept  a  store  in  the  same  house. 

Copeland  and  Bowser  have  been  in  business,  in  Gowing's  Block, 
since  its  erection  in  1871,  commencing  April  ist.  They  keep  a  general 
assortment  of  dry  goods  and  gents'  furnishing  goods.  Mr.  Copeland 
had  been  for  several  years  in  the  employ  of  F.  Fletcher. 

The  store  near  the  depot  at  the  foot  of  Haven  Street  was  built  and 
occupied  about  1851  by  Mr.  Franklin  Putnam,  who  continued  the 
grocery  business  for  ten  years.  He  was  succeeded  by  Pierce  Bros., 
Col  man,  and  others,  for  short  periods.  Mr.  T.  T.  Greenwood  pur- 
chased the  store  and  had  charge  of  it  for  several  years.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  James  H.  Davis.  Lucius  Turner  was  in  trade  there  from 
1867  to  April,  1873.  S.  N.  Stone  succeeds  him. 

Mr.  Salma  A.  Gould  built  a  store  near  the  Woburn  Street  School- 
house  two  years  since,  in  which  he  continues  to  trade. 

John  Adden  kept  a  store  in  connection  with  his  shoe  business,  at 
the  corner  of  Main  and  Summer  Streets,  about  thirty-five  years  since. 

MEAT  AND  PROVISION  TRADE. 

In  addition  to  the  supplies  furnished  by  the  several  stores,  the  town 
is  served  by  three  markets,  kept  by  Messrs.  Harnden  and  Tweed,  T. 
C.  Trow,  and  B.  F.  Adams.  Mr.  Charles  Tweed  was  the  pioneer  in 
the  business.  Timothy  Temple,  Wm.  H.  Temple,  L.  G.  Richardson, 
J.  R.  Morton,  and  others  have  formerly  been  employed  in  it.  J.  R. 
Brown  has  a  fruit  and  provision  store  in  the  Appleton  building  near  the 
depot. 

SHOE  STORES. 

Those  now  doing  business  here  in  th  e  retail  shoe  trade,  are  N.  D. 
Stoodley,  Ira  Atkinson,  J.  A.  Bancroft,  D.  F.  Weston,  S.  Doucette. 


524 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


MISCELLANEOUS  STORES. 


F.  J.  Bancroft  opened  a  store  in  1873  for  the  sale  of  music  and 
musical  instruments. 

Lewis  E.  Gleasdn  has  papers,  periodicals,  and  a  variety  of  other  articles 
in  the  store  connected  with  the  post-office. 

Mr.  Francis  Bartley  succeeds  James  T.  Norris  in  the  sale  of  men's 
clothing  and  furnishing  goods.  M.  Hanley  deals  in  furniture.  J.  &  T. 
Carley  carry  on  the  bakery  which  has  been  in  operation  several  years. 
Robert  J.  Bell  has  a  drug  store  near  the  depot. 

LYCEUM  HALL. 

The  association  that  built  Lyceum  Hall  was  organized  in  the  month 
of  May,  1854,  under  an  act  of  incorporation  approved  April  24th  of 
the  same  year.  Edward  Safford,  Samuel  T.  Ruggles,  Ignatius  Sargent, 
their  associates  and  successors,  were  made  a  corporation,  by  the  name 
of  the  Reading  Lyceum  Hall  Association.  The  first  meeting  for  the 
choice  of  officers  was  held  May  2Qth.  Horace  P.  Wakefield  was 
chosen  president ;  Sylvester  Harnden,  vice-president ;  Stephen  Foster, 
secretary ;  Ignatius  Sargent,  treasurer ;  Alfred  A.  Prescott,  Edward 
Safford,  Reuben  Weston,  directors  ;  C.  P.  Judd,  John  Damon,  Thomas 
Richardson,  standing  committee.  A  building  lot  was  purchased  of 
Lilley  Eaton  for  $927.  Edward  Safford  contracted  for  the  erection 
of  the  building  at  $4,800. 

The  frame  of  the  original  building  was  raised  in  November,  1854. 
When  the  work  was  completed,  the  cost  of  the  building,  furniture,  and 
land  amounted  to  about  $8,000.  A  portion  of  this  had  been  raised 
by  subscription,  ten  dollars  entitling  a  person  to  one  share  and  the 
privilege  of  membership.  Each  member  had  a  right  to  as  many 
votes  as  he  owned  shares,  provided  no  member  had  more  than  ten 
votes.  The  balance,  of  the  money  not  secured  by  the  sale  of  shares 
was  borrowed  to  pay  the  expenses.  This  was  repaid  from  the  yearly 
receipts  before  making  any  dividend  among  the  stockholders.  The 
first  dividend  was  in  1859,  of  fourteen  per  cent,  the  second  in  1860  of 
fifteen  per  cent.  During  the  war  the  rents  were  reduced,  and  the 
profits  also.  The  store  now  occupied  by  G.  W.  Atkinson  was  first 
rented  by  a  union  store  association,  and  kept  by  J.  S.  Campbell.  W. 
J.  Wightman  succeeded  in  1857,  and  remained  till  1865,  when  Mr. 
Atkinson  took  it.  Capt.  Thomas  Richardson  kept  the  drug  store  till 
1862,  selling  out  to  John  Dole,  who  sold  to  Dr.  W.  H.  Willis,  the 
present  occupant,  in  1865.  Miss  Emily  Ruggles  has  occupied  the 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


525 


same  store  she  now  does,  from  her  commencement  in  business  soon 
after  the  completion  of  the  building.  Miss  Ruggles  is  also  real  estate 
broker.  Mr.  Gleason,  the  present  postmaster,  in  May,  1861,  removed 
the  post-office  from  the  market  building  near  Stephen  Foster's  to 
Lyceum  Hall  building,  where  it  still  remains,  though  it  was  removed 
from  the  room  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  Remick  for  millinery  purposes  to 
the  present,  in  December,  1873.  Ira  Gray  &  Son  had  their  clothing 
store  in  the  story  above  till  the  erection  of  the  bank  building  in 
1860-61,  to  which  place  he  removed.  Since  that  time  the  rooms  have 
been  variously  occupied.  Clarkson  Parker  has  for  nearly  five  years 
used  the  room  he  now  does  for  a  barber  shop. 

The  first  movement  for  the  building  of  Lyceum  Hall  was  prompted 
by  the  felt  need  of  the  people  for  a  hall  suitable  for  public  gatherings, 
and  the  wants  of  a  small  organization  that  has  since  merged  into  the 
Christian  Union  Society,  for  a  place  to  hold  their  meetings.  The 
efforts  for  obtaining  funds  by  subscription  for  building  the  hall  were 
nearly  a  failure.  There  was  at  that  time  little  surplus  wealth  in  town 
that  could  well  be  spared  for  such  an  investment.  Mr.  Stephen  Foster 
and  S.  Harnden,  impressed  'with  the  need  of  such  a  work,  and  foresee- 
ing that  the  public  would  be  ready  to  sustain  it,  engaged  in  the 
enterprise  with  others,  and  helped  carry  it  forward  to  completion. 
In  November,  1870,  an  additional  piece  of  land  was  bought,  that 
formerly  belonged  to  the  old  estate  of  Dr.  Daniel  Gould,  to  whigh 
the  first  purchase  from  Mr.  Eaton  had  originally  belonged,  and  pro- 
ceeded after  some  delay  to  the  building  of  the  extension  just  now  being 
completed. 

The  present  officers  of  the  association  are  :  E.  Safford,  president ; 
Samuel  Pierce,  vice-president ;  Stephen  Foster,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer ;  Reuben  Weston,  G.  W.  Atkinson,  H.  E.  Cox,  directors ;  C.  W. 
Perkins,  N.  P.  Pratt,  standing  committee.  Mr.  Foster  has  been  sec- 
retary from  the  organization,  and  Mr.  Weston  one  of  the  directors. 
Dr.  H.  P.  Wakefield  was  continued  as  president  till  1868,  when  his 
services  for  the  State  required  his  removal  from  town. 

THE  WATCH  AND  CLOCK  BUSINESS  IN  READING. 

Mr.  Benj.  E.  Beard  was  probably  the  first  in  town  who  made  the 
watch  and  jewelry  trade  a  distinct  business.  He  opened  his  store  in 
1847  in  Harnden's  building,  and  continued  there  till  his  death  in  1868. 
His  son,  W.  E.  Beard,  succeeded  him,  and  in  December,  1873,  removed 
the  business  to  Lyceum  Hall  building.  He  is  assisted  by  Mr.  D.  A. 


526  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Emery.  Dea.  Amos  Evans  had  been  earlier  engaged  in  watch  repair- 
ing, which  he  long  continued  after  Mr.  Beard  commenced  the  business. 
A  Mr.  Wheeler  had  also  had  a  room  in  a  small  building  on  the  east 
side  of  the  street,  below  the  Common,  where  he  dealt  in  watches  and 
repaired  them.  Mr.  Daniel  Putnam  acquired  many  years  ago  a  good 
reputation  as  a  repairer  of  watches,  and  his  friends  claim  he  is  still  able 
to  do  better  work  than  the  average  watch  repairer.  We  don't  know  how 
well  founded  the  claim  is,  but  we  are  told  that  he  is  the  possessor  of  a 
watch  over  a  hundred  years  old  that  he  maintains  in  good  running 
order,  though  we  think  he  did  not  make  it. 

The  manufacture  of  clock  cases  was  commenced  in  this  town  in  the 
spring  of  1832  by  Mr.  Jonathan  Frost.  He  first  began  to  buy  clocks 
of  Burr  &  Chittenden,  of  Lexington,  who  bought  the  movements  or 
running  part  in  Bristol,  Conn.,  and  made  the  cases  themselves.  Mr. 
Frost  sent  them  out  with  other  goods  by  his  pedlers  for  a  year  or  so. 
When  he  began  the  business  for  himself  the  movements  cost  him  a 
trifle  over  eight  dollars  apiece,  which  price  was  finally  reduced  to  seven 
and  a  half.  Within  the  year  1832,  Mr.  [Frost  formed  a  partnership 
with  Daniel  Pratt,  Esq.,  for  the  manufacture,  which  continued  for  three 
years.  After  the  close  of  the  partnership,  Mr.  Frost  suspended  opera- 
tions in  that  line  for  nearly  two  years,  when  he  resumed  and  continued 
it  till  about  1850.  Mr.  Pratt  had  continued  the  business  uninterrupt- 
edly during  all  this  time.  In  1838-39,  he  employed  about  twenty 
hands.  Among  his  employees  was  Mr.  B.  E.  Beard,  to  whom  we  have 
already  referred.  Another  employee  was  Mr.  Gilbert  Green,  now  of 
Clinton,  Mass.,  who  deals  in  watches  and  jewelry,  and  has  become 
wealthy.  Several  others  in  this  town  and  in  North  Reading  were  also 
employed  by  Mr.  Pratt  in  carrying  on  his  business.  Mr.  Pratt  supplied 
and  sent  out  pedlers  to  dispose  of  his  clocks  till  about  1846,  when  he 
opened  a  store  in  Boston,  at  49  Union  Street,  in  which  business  has 
been  continued  to  the  present  time.  For  a  year  or  two  previous  he  had 
sent  a  considerable  number  of  clocks  to  Calcutta,  where  a  very  good 
market  was  found.  A  clock  with  a  fancy  case,  known  as  the  "  double 
Gothic,"  costing  about  five  dollars  here,  sold  there  for  about  fifteen 
dollars  in  gold.  They  were  frequently  exchanged  for  the  goods  of 
the  countries  to  which  they  were  sent,  which  were  imported  and  sold 
here.  Since  the  decease  of  Mr.  Pratt,  in  March,  1871,  as  well  as  for 
some  years  previously,  the  business  has  been  carried  on  by  Messrs.  D. 
F.  Pratt  and  B.  M.  Boyce,  who  now  constitute  the  firm,  under  the  name 
of  "  Daniel  Pratt's  Sons."  F.  W.  B.  Pratt,  son  of  D.  F.,  is  employed 
with  them.  They  have  for  about  three  years  imported  clocks  from 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


527 


abroad.  They  are  doing  a  rapidly  increasing  business  in  this  line, 
which  might  well  be  expected,  as  they  sell  nice  French  clocks  much 
cheaper  than  any  other  house  in  the  city.  The  manufacture  of  clocks 
was  discontinued  here  by  Mr.  Pratt  about  1858  or  1859.  The  house 
on  Linden  Street,  owned  by  Mr.  Pease,  and  the  shoe  store  on  Haven 
Street,  occupied  by  Major  Stoodley,  were,  before  removal  to  their  pres- 
ent sites,  occupied  by  Mr.  Pratt  in  the  prosecution  of  his  business. 
The  pedlers  sold  the  clocks  at  prices  ranging  from  twelve  to  sixteen 
dollars  each.  The  brass  movements  were  introduced  about  1835  or 
1836.  The  clock  dealers,  in  speaking  of  clocks  and  time-pieces,  make 
a  distinction  that  is  perhaps  peculiar  to  themselves.  If  it  strikes  the 
hour  it  is  called  a  clock ;  if  it  does  not  strike  the  hour,  it  is  called  a 
time-piece. 

CABINET-MAKERS. 

Ambrose  Kingman  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  to  engage  in  this 
business  here.  He  sold  out  to  his  brother  Henry,  who  greatly  enlarged 
it,  and  subsequently  removed  to  New  York,  where  it  is  still  success- 
fully prosecuted  by  his  son  William. 

Luther  Elliot,  Hammond  Flint,  Amos  Sweetser,  Charles  Carter, 
Henry  F.  Parker,  J.  W.  Beers,  S.  T.  Ruggles,  John  Cheney,  Gardner 
French,  D.  B.  Lovejoy,  D.  G.  Richardson,  James  Davis,  and  others, 
were  more  or  less  engaged  in  this  business. 

Alden  Batchelder  has  been  in  the  manufacture  of  furniture  about 
ten  years,  employing  twenty  to  thirty  hands.  He  sells  his  goods 
throughout  the  Union  and  Canada. 

Dinsmore  and  Grouard  have  been  more  than  twenty  years  manufac- 
turing furniture.  They  were  the  first  to  make  parlor  desks,  which  had 
a  large  sale.  They  also  make  book-cases  and  chamber  furniture,  and 
employ  about  thirty  hands.  Their  mill  was  built  by  William  Badger 
about  twenty-five  years  since.  It  passed  into  other  hands,  and  was 
purchased  about  ten  years  since  by  Dinsmore  &  Grouard,  and  fitted 
up  with  a  new  engine  and  machinery. 

Mr.  Charles  Manning  and  Mr.  Frederick  Miller  are  both  engaged  in 
making  parlor  desks. 

Mr.  Sylvester  Harnden  came  here  from  Stoddard,  N.  H.,  about  1823, 
and  worked  at  the  furniture  business  with  Luther  Elliot,  and  afterwards, 
in  company  with  Amos  Sweetser,  in  a  building  that  stood  just  south  of 
W.  R.  Perkins's  present  residence.  In  1827  or  1828,  Mr.  Harnden 
erected  and  used  for  a  shop  the  building  occupied  for  many  years  by 
B.  E.  Beard  in  the  watch  business.  In  1831  he  built  the  house  now 


528  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

owned  by  his  son,  F.  Harnden,  and  another  shop  a  little  in  the  rear. 
His  business  rapidly  increased,  and  he  employed  for  many  years  about 
seventy-five  or  eighty  workmen. 

In  1856  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  refrigerators,  under  the 
patent  of  John  C.  Schooley,  which,  in  connection  with  the  furniture 
business,  is  still  continued  by  his  son,  F.  Harnden. 

Mr.  Harnden  was  a  prominent  man  in  town  matters,  always  ready  to 
aid  in  public  improvements,  and  to  do  his  share  in  sustaining  the  bur- 
dens and  performing  the  duties  required  of  a  true  citizen.  He  was  a 
native  of  Wilmington  ;  born  1804  ;  died  May  19,  1873. 

COOPERS. 

David  Emerson,  Joseph  Young,  Edward  Young,  John  Nichols,  David 
Ball,  Samuel  W.  Brooks,  Capt.  Abijah  Weston,  Jabez  Weston. 

CURRIERS. 

Oliver  Colburn  and  George  Flagg  were  curriers,  and  carried  on  busi- 
ness in  the  red  house  near  the  railroad  crossing  on  Main  Street,  known 
as  the  "  Dublin  House." 

WHEELWRIGHTS  AND   CARRIAGE-MAKERS. 

Mr.  Ambrose  Kingman  is  remembered  as  the  principal  one  here  in 
the  wheelwright  business.  Mr.  Samuel  Brown,  on  Haven  Street,  is  a 
carriage-builder.  In  the  same  building,  P.  McCall  makes  harnesses. 

MILLS. 

Messrs.  Dinsmore  &  Grouard,  F.  Harnden,  Solon  Parker,  and  H. 
Bachelder  have  steam  mills  for  sawing  lumber.  Mr.  John  Burrill  has  a 
saw-mill  operated  by  water  power,  formerly  owned. by  Cleaveland 
Beard.  This  mill  is  probably  referred  to  in  a  deed  by  Abraham  Foster 
to  Raham  Bancroft,  dated  in  1730.  There  is  also  a  saw  and  a  grist 
mill  at  "  Lob's  Pound,"  where  there  was  a  saw-mill  in  1694.  \ 

The  first  mill  in  this  part  of  the  town  for  sawing  boards  was  prob- 
ably the  one  often  referred  to  in  the  early  town  records  as  the  "  saw- 
pit  mill,"  which  was  near  where  Summer  Street  crosses  Main.  The 
little  bridge  just  east  of  the  corners  retained  the  name  "  Soppit 
Bridge,"  till  quite  recently.  Thomas  Sweetser,  Esq.,  recollects  seeing 
the  pit  in  which  the  under  man  stood  while  drawing  his  end  of  the 
saw.  It  is  referred  to  as  "Parker's  mill"  in  the  town  records,  but  the 
oldest  inhabitant  now  living  does  not  know  to  which  of  the  Parkers  it 


Ol-    THE    TOWA    Of  READING.  529 

belonged.  There  was  once  a  saw  mill  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  abojit 
thirty  rods  west  of  the  house  of  Capt.  George  Bancroft.  It  belonged 
to  Thomas  Bancroft,  and  a  Merrow.  It  is  believed  to  have  been  there 
in  1764.  There  was  a  tannery  about  twenty  rods  west  of  the  mill,  the 
relics  of  which  have  not  entirely  disappeared. 

The  reference  to  "  Lob's  Pound  "  suggests  an  inquiry  as  to  the  origin 
of  the  name.  Dea.  Wakefield  says  that  some  one  told  him,  there  was 
formerly  a  pound  there  for  keeping  colts  in  over  night,  and  that  the 
name  "  Lob  "  was  a  corruption  of  "  nobby "  or  "toob,"  a  child's  pet 
name  for  a  colt. 

BLACKSMITHS. 

Zadoc  Richardson  appears  to  have  been  in  the  business  here  from  1762 
to  1772,  and  may  have  been  for  a  much  longer  time.  Eli  Mead  had  a 
shop  at  the  corner  of  Woburn  and  Washington  Streets,  date  unknown. 
Samuel  Pratt,  who  died  in  1734,  and  who  lived  where  Herrick  Batch- 
elder  now  lives,  was  a  blacksmith.  His  son  Samuel  succeeded  to  his 
estate,  and  followed  the  same  occupation.  This  Samuel  left  no  chil- 
dren. His  nephew,  Benjamin,  son  of  Lieut.  Ephraim,  of  North  Read- 
ing, was  his  successor.  He  died  in  1842  at  the  age  of  84.  He  was 
a  soldier  of  the  Revolution  ;  a  town  officer  for  more  than  twenty  years  ; 
deacon  in  the  Old  South  Church  more  than  forty ;  and  the  father  of 
thirteen  children.  His  son  Benjamin  was  the  father  of  Benjamin, 
Joseph  L.,  and  Stillman  M.  Pratt,  of  the  present  time,  and  several 
daughters. 

Mr.  Joseph  Spokesfield,  whose  shop  stood  where  Edward  F.  Parker's 
house  now  is,  was  in  the  business  sixty  years  ago.  The  early  black- 
smiths supplied  the  people  with  "wrought"  nails,  which  were  sold  by 
count,  not  by  weight,  and  made  most  of  the  tools  used  by  the  farmers 
and  mechanics. 

The  more  recent  blacksmiths  have  been  Cephas  Parker,  D.  M. 
Damon,  E.  B.  Eames,  R.  C.  Totten,  John  Blunt,  Theo.  F.  Gould.  The 
last  named  four  are  still  in  business. 

TIN-WARE  AND  STOVES. 

T.  Littlefield  came  from  Wakefield  to  Reading  in  1843,  and  opened 
a  shop  on  Ash  Street.  He  removed  to  the  village  in  1853,  and  to  his 
present  shop  in  1860.  He  was  the  first  to  engage  in  the  business  in 
this  town,  and  for  a  time  had  no  competitor  here,  or  in  Wakefield,  or 
in  Stoneham.  Several  others  have  set  up  the  business  here  for  brief 
periods.  Mr.  Eugene  De  Jean  has  been  engaged  in  it  for  about  two 
years. 

67 


530 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


HOUSE  BUILDERS. 

Amos  Parker,  father  of  Dana  Parker,  was  one  of  the  principal  car- 
penters of  eighty  years  ago.  Dea.  Caleb  Wakefield  served  his  appren- 
ticeship with  him,  commencing  March  29,  1801.  Seventy  years  after- 
wards, within  an  hour  of  the  time  of  the  day  at  which  he  went  to  the 
house  of  Mr.  Parker  to  begin  his  service,  Dea.  Wakefield  called  at  the 
same  house,  now  occupied  by  the  son  above  named,  and  reminded  the 
family  of  the  fact,  jan  incident  of  rare  occurrence.  The  first  house 
built  by  Dea.  Wakefield  was  the  tavern  for  Col.  Nathan  Parker,  which 
stood  where  the  bank  building  now  stands.  This  was  in  1806.  It 
was  three  stories  high,  the  first  of  that  height  built  here.  The  old 
"try- rule  "  system  of  framing  had  been  followed  up  to  that  time,  which 
required  every  tenon  and  mortise  to  be  fitted  together  and  marked  so 
that  it  could  be  known  where  every  piece  belonged.  Dea.  Wakefield 
followed  that  system  called  also  "  scribe  "  rule,  and  the  critics  decided  he 
could  not  erect  the  building  in  that  way.  An  interested  party  declared 
that  the  builder  should  pay  a  dollar  for  every  false  mortise  made.  But 
the  frame  was  completed  and  raised  without  a  mistake.  The  modern 
system  called  "  square  rule  "  was  soon  after  generally  introduced.  In 
1801,  Dea.  Wakefield  purchased  the  first  screw  auger  he  had  seen. 
Previous  to  that,  mechanics  had  used  what  they  called  the  "  pod " 
auger.  Up  to  1806  the  farmers  used  wooden  shovels,  which  were 
sometimes  plated,  or  "  shod,"  upon  the  cutting  edge  with  iron. 

The  following  list  embraces  most  of  the  principal  carpenters  and 
builders  for  half  a  century,  coming  down  to  the  present  time  :  — 

Eben  Eaton,  John  Nichols,  Timothy  Temple,  Samuel  R.  Allen,  Joseph 
Spokesfield,  Daniel  Creesy,  Wendell  Bancroft,  David  C.  Temple,  Wm. 
M.  Phillips,  Edward  Safford,  Nath'l  W.  Broad,  Wm.  Bryant,  Edward 
C.  Nichols,  Ephraim  Wight. 

MASONS. 

Bridge  Wakefield,  William  Wakefield,  Stewart  P.  Wakefield,  Capt. 
Joseph  Gleason,  N.  H.  Turner,  S.  M.  Hall,  Edward  Parker. 

PAINTERS. 

Abner  Bancroft,  Wm.  H.  Bancroft,  Nathan  Bancroft,  Moses  Nichols, 
J.  C.  Cook,  Amos  Mclntire.  M.  H.  Garfield,  carriage  and  sign 

painter. 

MANUFACTURE  OF  SHOES. 

The  first  recorded  evidence  of  the  manufacture  of  shoes  in  this  part 
of  ancient  Reading  appears  to  be  in  the  account  book  of  Lieut. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING,  53! 

Joseph  Bancroft,  commencing  in  the  year  1758.  He  seems  to  have 
supplied  the  home  market  for  about  thirty  years  afterwards.  In  the 
summer  of  1794  he  charges  John  Temple,  Jr.,  for  making  about  four 
hundred  pairs  of  shoes. 

The  manufacture  of  shoes  as  an  article  of  trade  seems  to  have  fairly 
been  commenced  before  this  time.  During  the  Revolution  tradition 
connects  the  names  of  several  persons  with  the  business  who  were 
accustomed  to  carry  their  work  to  the  city  for  a  market.  Among  these 
was  Ephraim  Parker,  who  also  kept  the  tavern  in  Squire  Sweetser's  old 
house  on  Washington  Street.  He  employed  several  workmen  in  the 
business.  Phineas  Sweetser,  uncle  of  the  Squire,  did  a  smaller  busi- 
ness ;  and  Mr.  Daniel  Damon,  grandfather  of  Edgar,  D.  Myron,  and 
Albert  P.  Damon,  carried  on  the  business  as  early  as  1794,  employing 
several  hands.  He  learned  the  trade  in  Westford,  where  he  seems  to 
have  been  when  the  war  of  the  Revolution  commenced.  After  his  return 
to  Reading  he  lived  in  a  house  that  stood  where  Mr.  Francis  Kingman 
now  resides,  and  owned  the  land  in  that  vicinity,  including  the  grove 
now  owned  by  Solon  Parker.  His  first  wife,  Anna,  died  of  small-pox 
in  1793,  aged  28  years.  She  married  at  the  age  of  18,  and  in  the  short 
period  of  her  married  life,  became  the  mother  of  seven  sons  and  one 
daughter.  The  seventh  son,  Warren  Damon,  over  eighty  years  of  age, 
is  now  living  in  Amherst,  N.  H. 

The  first  to  engage  extensively  in  the  manufacture  of  boots  and  shoes 
here  was  probably  Daniel  Chute,  Esq.,  about  1792.  He  prosecuted  the 
business  with  great  energy  for  about  twenty  years,  but  we  have  few 
details  concerning  the  kind  or  amount  of  goods  made  by  him.  It 
appears  that  he  not  only  employed  many  workmen  here,  but  also  at  the 
same  time  in  Byfield,  his  native  town. 

Mr.  Jonathan  Temple  did  business  in  making  shoes,  commencing  as 
early  as  1794,  but  to  what  extent  is  not  known.  He  was  for  some 
time  connected  with  Mr.  David  Pratt.  Mr.  John  Temple  carried  on 
the  business  in  the  same  neighborhood. 

David  Pratt,  who  came  to  Reading  from  Saugus  about  1796,  and 
lived  where  Edward  Appleton,  Esq.,  now  resides,  was  early  employed 
in  the  business.  The  first  shoes  he  made  he  carried  to  Boston  and 
Charlestown  for  a  market.  He  employed  at  first  three  or  four  workmen, 
and  carried  the  shoes  in  saddle-bags,  over  his  own  shoulders.  He 
soon  procured  a  horse  and  a  two-wheeled  vehicle,  known  then  as  a 
"  milk  cart,"  which  he  used  for  transporting  his  goods.  People  consid- 
ered this  a  piece  of  extravagance,  and  predicted  his  failure.  But  his 
business  increased  till  he  eventually  employed  about  a  hundred  work- 


532 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


men.  His  goods  continued  to  be  delivered  in  Boston,  whence  they 
were  sent  to  the  Southern  States.  They  were  packed  in  barrels,  his 
boys  Daniel  and  Thomas  treading  them  down  as  they  were  put  in,  in 
order  to  get  as  many  as  possible  into  each  barrel.  In  1806  or  '7,  he 
bought  the  land  where  Thomas  Pratt's  store  now  is,  and  also  the  store 
that  stood  in  the  garden  just  below,  which  was  formerly  owned  by 
William  Johnson.  In  1817  he  built  the  house  and  store  which  his  son 
Thomas  has  since  continued  to  occupy.  He  intended  it  for  a  shoe 
factory  and  store  ;  but  he  died  in  1818,  before  completing  his  designs, 
and  left  them  to  be  carried  out  by  his  two  sons,  Daniel  and  Thomas. 
They  continued  the  business  together  for  a  few  years,  when  they  divided, 
Thomas  continuing  the  store,  and  Daniel  the  shoe  business.  In  1826, 
Daniel  removed  to  his  late  residence,  which  he  continued  to  occupy  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  gave  up  the  shoe  trade  and  engaged  in 
the  clock  business  in  1832,  as  related  elsewhere. 

Silas  Smith  did  considerable  business  in  the  shoe  manufacture  for 
several  years,  contemporary  with  Mr.  Pratt. 

Mr.  Ephraim  Weston  was  among  the  first  who  employed  any  consid- 
erable number  of  hands.  As  early  as  1804,  he  made  from  five  hun- 
dred to  seven  hundred  pairs  of  shoes  per  month.  He  seems  to  have 
supplied  quite  a  "number  of  families  with  work,  paying  from  seventeen 
to  twenty  cents  a  pair  for  making  children's  and  misses'  shoes,  and 
twenty-five  to  twenty-nine  cents  for  other  kinds.  Some  kinds  of  chil- 
dren's shoes  sold  at  that  time  in  market,  at  forty-six  cents  a  pair  ; 
women's  shoes,  from  seventy-four  to  ninety-one  cents.  Red  morocco 
skins  cost  twenty-five  dollars  per  dozen.  His  goods  for  some  years 
were  sent  to  the  West  Indies,  but  were  afterwards  sent  to  Baltimore,  to 
his  son  Asahel,  who  was  engaged  there  in  trade.  The  business  was 
continued  by  his  sons  Aaron  and  Luther,  and  is  now  carried  on  by 
Clifford  P.  Weston,  his  grandson. 

Mr.  Warren  Perkins,  father  of  Charles  W.,  came  here  from  Middleton, 
and  about  1807  began  the  manufacture  of  shoes,  which  he  continued 
for  about  forty  years.  He  employed  from  fifty  to  seventy-five  hands  in 
this  and  adjoining  towns,  whom  he  supplied  with  work.  He  built  the 
house  that  stood  where  the  Union  church  stands,  which  he  long  occu- 
pied, and  which  was  subsequently  the  residence  of  Mr.  William  Parker. 

Isaac  Upton,  Lilley  Eaton,  Lorenzo  Parker,  and Beers  were  also 

among  the  early  manufacturers 

H.  G.  Richardson  and  W.  R.  Perkins  were  in  company  for  seven 
years  manufacturing  shoes,  commencing  in  1835.  Mr.  Perkins  con- 
tinued  it  till  1846.  In  1857,  Mr.  Richardson  turned  his  attention  to 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  533 

the  hide  and  leather  business,  which  he  continued  till  his  store  was 
destroyed  in  the  great  fire  in  Boston  in  1872. 

John  Adden  commenced  the  manufacture  of  shoes  about  1830.  In 
1845  he  opened  a  general  jobbing  and  wholesale  store  in  New  Orleans, 
which  has  been  continued  without  .interruption,  save  for  a  few  years 
during  the  late  war.  In  1861,  Mr.  Adden  formed  a  partnership  with 
his  son,  J.  H.  Adden,  and  the  business  has  since  been  conducted  under 
the  name  of  J.  H.  Adden  &  Co.  They  formerly  employed  nearly  two 
hundred  hands  in  the  manufacture  of  their  goods ;  but  the  introduction 
of  labor-saving  machinery  has  diminished  the  necessity  for  employing 
so  many. 

Mr.  Abiel  Holden,  who  Came  to  this  town  from  Stoneham,  com- 
menced the  manufacture  of  morocco  shoes,  probably  in  the  year  1822. 
He  did  business  as  the  agent  of  Mr.  Isaac  Mead,  of  Charlestown,  who 
furnished  the  morocco.  Nearly  every  family  in  town  at  that  time  was 
employed  in  binding  and  stitching  shoes  for  the  different  persons 
engaged  in  their  manufacture.  Mr.  Stephen  Foster  came  here  from 
Wakefield  in  1823,  and  was  employed  by  Mr.  Holden  for  many  years 
in  giving  out  and  receiving  the  work,  keeping  books,  etc.  The  business 
was  carried  on  for  a  year  or  two,  at  Weston's  corner,  in  the  store  of 
Ephraim  Weston,  and  was  then  transferred  to  a  house  and  store  in  the 
village  that  stood  where  Mr.  Foster's  house  now  stands.  About  1830, 
Mr  Holden  gave  up  the  business  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Foster,  who 
continued  the  agency  till  the  fall  of  1834,  when,  upon, the  death  of  Mr. 
Mead,  he  bought  the  stock  and  continued  the  business  on  his  own 
account.  The  leading  business  at  that  time  was  making  what  was 
known  through  the  country  as  "  Reading  pumps,"  or  men's  dancing 
shoes.  Mr.  Foster  continued  manufacturing  here  till  1852,  when  he 
opened  a  store  in  Boston.  He  resumed  manufacturing  here  in  1859, 
and  in  1864  was  joined  by  Mr.  Charles  W.  Perkins.  The  company 
still  continue  the  business. 

Mr.  Holden,  who  had  been  for  several  years  employed  as  deputy 
sheriff,  resumed  the  manufacture  of  shoes  in  1840,  which  he  continued 
*  till  July,  1850,  when  he  took  in  his  sons  with  him.  In  August,  1862, 
the  business  fell  into  the  hands  of  his  sons,  Arkaid,  Clinton  B.,  and 
William  J.,  and  is  now  continued  under  the  name  of  Holden  Brothers. 
Before  the  introduction  of  machinery  they  employed  about  fifty  hands. 
For  about  fifteen  years  they  have  made,  exclusively,  children's  and 
misses'  shoes  for  the  Southern  market. 

Mr.  D.  F.  Weston  began  in  1835  >  has  sometimes  employed  fifty  hands  ; 


534 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


manufactures  children's  and  misses'  shoes ;  had  a  store  in  Boston  for 
several  years  for  their  sale. 

Mr.  Stillman  E.  Parker  manufactures  men's  and  women's  shoes  for 
the  Southern  market,  employing  about  twenty-five  hands  in  his  manu- 
factory, and  furnishing  work  to  about  as  many  others  outside.  He 
commenced  the  business  in  1845. 

Mr.  J.  H.  Bancroft  has  been  engaged  in  the  business  for  about  twenty 
years,  making  children's  and  youths'  sizes. 

Mr.  James  A.  Bancroft  commenced  in  1858  the  manufacture  of  chil- 
dren's shoes,  which  he  still  continues.  He  employs  from  eight  to 
twelve  hands. 

Among  those  who  have,  till  a  comparatively  recent  period,  been  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  shoes,  are  Joseph  L.  Pratt,  the  late  Dea. 
Thomas  H.  Sweetser,  Gilman  C.  Coggin,  Roswell  N.  Temple. 

Reading  is  known  among  the  shoe  trade  as  a  town  where  infant  shoes 
are  a  specialty. 

The  business  for  many  years  was  small  in  the  aggregate,  and  was 
conducted  by  women,  who  cut  and  made  their  goods,  and  then  sold 
them  at  the  country  stores,  or  exchanged  them  with  the  travelling  ped- 
lers  for  the  wares  which  they  carried  from  door  to  door.  Early  in  the 
present  century,  one  or  two  men  commenced  the  business  on  a  more 
extensive  scale,  cutting  out  the  shoes  themselves,  and  employing  women 
to  make  them  up  at  a  fixed  price  per  pair.  The  soles  were  of  thin 
sheepskin,  tanned  a  russet  color;  but  calico  and  velvet,  as  well  as 
leather,  were  sometimes  used  for  the  uppers.  The  shoes  were  cut  out 
and  made  by  hand,  and  the  whole  process  was  a  slow  and  tedious  one, 
yielding  to  the  manufacturers  a  profit  less  than  the  present  wages  of  a 
good  mechanic,  while  the  women  who  made  the  shoes  earned  from  two 
shillings  to  a  dollar  a  week  in  addition  to  performing  their  household 
duties. 

The  introduction  of  the  sewing-machine  and  other  mechanical  inven- 
tions has  greatly  developed  the  business,  and  there  is  as  much  taste  dis- 
played in  the  style  and  finish  of  infants'  shoes  as  in  any  other  branch 
of  shoe  manufacture.  But  little  of  the  work  is  now  done  without  the 
aid  of  machinery.  The  uppers  are  almost  exclusively  cut  out  with  dies, 
the  ornamental  figures  are  put  on  by  the  aid  of  a  stamp,  while  all 
the  stitches,  with  the  exception  of  sewing  on  the  rosettes,  are  taken  by 
a  sewing-machine. 

A  woman,  devoting  her  whole  time  to  the  work,  now  earns  from  six 
to  twelve  dollars  per  week,  and  some  earn  nine  dollars  besides  doing 
their  house- work. 


OF  7 HE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


535 


It  would  hardly  be  supposed  that  so  small  an  article  as  an  infant's 
shoe  afforded  much  room  for  variety.  But  there  is  quite  as  much  change 
demanded  in  the  style  of  shoes  for  the  little  folks  as  for  the  people  of 
larger  growth,  and  a  wonderful  skill  and  taste  is  displayed  by  our 
manufacturers  in  the  production  of  these  goods,  while  fond  mothers 
are  so  eager  for  novelties  that  the  manufacturer  who  produces  a  new 
style  that  pleases  the  fancy  of  the  public  is  su  re  of  a  large  demand 
and  a  good  profit  as  long  as  he  can  keep  it  a  secret  from  his  brother 
manufacturers. 

Some  of  the  manufacturers  secure  themselves  against  competition  by 
obtaining  a  patent  for  their  favorite  styles. 

Although  infants'  shoes  are  made  in  small  quantities  in  various  other 
places,  Reading  is  the  centre  of  the  business,  and  in  styles  and  gen- 
eral character  of  its  goods  is  the  leading  market  of  the  country.  The 
production  is  about  400,000  pairs  annually,  furnishing  constant  employ- 
ment to  nearly  a  hundred  women.  The  principal  manufacturers  are 
G.  A.  Richardson,  Clifford  B.  Weston,  George  E.  Leathe,  E.  Bassett, 
John  Burrill,  J.  W.  Richardson  &  Co.  There  are  also  several  ladies 
who  manufacture  dolls'  shoes  in  great  variety. 

Geo.  A.  Richardson  &  Co.,  two  years  since,  secured  a  patent  for  a 
sewing-machine  for  bottoming  shoes,  which  makes  a  saving  of  nine  or 
ten  cents  per  pair  in  making  children's  shoes.  They  make  yearly  about 
200,000  pairs,  representing  about  eighty  different  styles,  of  which  three 
are  patented.  They  have  eight  or  ten  different  patents  on  machines 
and  shoes. 

For  the  past  fifteen  years  the  business  has  been  steadily  increasing, 
and  the  products  of  our  Reading  manufacturers  are  found  in  every  store 
in  the  Union,  as  well  as  in  the  British  Provinces. 

MANUFACTURE  OF  HATS,  ETC. 

Nathan  Weston,  prompted  by  the  high  price  of  hats  during  the  war 
of  1812,  turned  his  attention  for  several  years  to  their  manufacture. 
The  bodies  were  made  by  him  of  pasteboard,  coated  with  a  preparation 
of  shellac  and  gum  copal,  to  render  them  waterproof.  For  the  outer 
covering,  he  used  cotton  plush.  The  cloth  was  prepared  for  this  pur- 
pose by  Adam  Hawkes  who  had  a  fulling  mill  and  clothiers'  works  in 
the  eastern  part  of  South  Reading  (Wakeneld),  near  Lynnfield.  Wes- 
ton employed  but  little  help,  and  did  not  prosecute  his  business  with 
the  energy  that  the  merits  of  his  work  might  well  have  prompted.  He 
sold  principally  to  customers  in  this  vicinity. 


536 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


It  seems  to  be  well  authenticated  that  Weston  was  the  first  manufac- 
turer, as  well  as  inventor,  of  the  silk  hat.  The  cotton  plush  he  used 
soon  faded,  and  he  was  ultimately  led,  it  is  claimed,  to  the  use  of  silk 
in  order  to  remedy  the  defect.  After  the  close  of  the  war  the  price  of 
hats  became  much  reduced,  and  in  1819  he  discontinued  their  manu- 
facture. Having  a  patent  under  which  he  had  made  them,  he  allowed 
others  the  benefit  of  it,  for  which  they  paid  him  a  royalty  of  twenty-five 
cents  for  each  hat  made  by  them.  Mr.  Thomas  Sweetser  (now  Esq.) 
took  up  the  business  and  carried  it  on  here  for  one  season,  and  then, 
in  1818,  removed  it  to  Charlestown.  Mr.  Warren  Perkins  was  for  a 
time  employed  in  the  business. 

W.  J.  Wightman,  Esq.,  commenced  the  manufacture  of  coach  lace 
here  in  1840,  employing  eighteen  hands.  He  continued  the  business 
with  encouraging  success  for  seventeen  years. 


NECKTIE  MANUFACTURE. 

Damon,  Temple  &  Co.  (D.  Myron  Damon,  A.  P.  Damon,  and  Joseph 
S.  Temple)  began  the  business  in  January,  1866,  in  the  bank  build- 
ing, with  about  a  dozen  employees.  The  business  increased  till  the 
number  of  hands  in  1869  was  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five. 
During  this  latter  year  their  factor}'  on  Woburn  Street  was  erected. 
They  were  pioneers  in  making  this  line  of  goods  a  specialty.  They 
opened  a  store  in  Boston  at  the  time  they  began  to  manufacture 
here,  and  another  at  Chicago  in  1867,  to  accommodate  their  Western 
customers.  The  Chicago  store,  with  its  contents,  was  burnt  in  the 
great  fire  of  October,  1871,  and  the  Boston  store  and  goods  in  the 
great  fire  of  November,  1872.  In  May,  1873,  they  were  compelled  to 
remove  their  g&ods  to  escape  impending  destruction  from  another 
extensive  fire  in  Boston.  Notwithstanding  these  serious  drawbacks, 
their  business  has  continued  to  flourish,  and  by  adopting  improved 
methods,  they  are  now  able,  with  one  hundred  hands,  to  turn  out  as 
much  work  as  formerly  with  many  more  employees.  They  now  import 
their  silk  and  other  materials  direct  from  the  foreign  market.  Twenty- 
five  persons  are  employed  in  the  distribution  of  their  goods  at  their 
store  in  the  city  and  elsewhere.  The  quality  of  their  work  is  of  such 
established  reputation  as  to  be  demanded  by  the  trade  throughout  the 
Union.  They  sell  considerable  quantities  to  "  Zion's  Co-operative 
Association  "  among  the  Mormons  in  Utah. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


537 


ORGAN  MANUFACTURE. 

The  first  to  engage  in  this  business  was  Thomas  Appleton.     He 
was   a  native  of  Boston,  where   he  began  the  manufacture  in   1809, 
working  in  company  with  his  brother-in-law,  in  Chambers  Street,  Boston, 
who  built  the  first  organ  in  this  country.     In  1810  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  Hoyts,.  Babcock  &  Appleton,  who  put  up  a  building 
for  the  manufacture  of  pianos  and  organs,  on  the  site  of  Franklin's 
birthplace  in  Milk  Street.      After  a  few  years  he  commenced  business 
alone.     In  September,  185 1,  he  came  to  Reading,  and  has  occupied  since 
that  time  the  factory  near  the  depot.     He  built  thirty-five  organs  for 
churches  in  Boston  :   the  first  being  for  the  church  in  Summer  Street, 
recently  removed  ;   the   second   for  the  Handel  and  Haydn  Society, 
which  was  long  used  in  Music  Hall.     He  also  built  organs  for  nearly 
every  principal  city  of  the  United  States,  in    all    nearly    thrice   as 
many  as  for  Boston.     He  built  his  last  organ  in  1868,  when  more  than 
sixty  years  of  age,  for  the  Baldwin  Baptist  Church  in  Canton  Street, 
Boston.     This  was  one  of  his  largest,  and  he  designed  it  to  be  his  best. 
Thirty  years  previously  he  had  built  one  for  the  same  church,  then  in 
Baldwin  Place,   which  during  all   that  time  never  cost  the  society   a 
dollar  for  repairs.     His  organs,  like  himself,  were  honest  clear  through. 
He  never  counted   the   cost,   but   made   every   instrument   as    thor- 
oughly  as   possible.       He   said   he   should   be    ashamed   to   pass   a 
church  that  had  in  it  an  organ  of  his  that  was  imperfectly  built.     He 
designed  his  work  to  last  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  as  the  best  monu- 
ment he  could  leave  to  perpetuate  his  memory.     His  instruments  were 
noted  for  sweetness  and  purity  of  tone,  as  well  as  for  perfection  of 
machinery.     His  ear  was  remarkably  accurate,  and  his  musical  judg- 
ment unerring.     Dr.    Shattuck,  of  Boston,  employed  him  to  select  a 
piano  for  his  daughter,  and  was  so  well  pleased  with  the  selection  that 
he  made  him  a  present  of  two  hundred  dollars.     Yet  as  a  musical 
performer  he  set  up  for  himself  no  claim.     Indeed,  he  was  accustomed 
to  say  he' neither  could    "sing,  whistle,  nor  play   a  jewsharp."     He 
possessed    a  remarkable  memory ;    could    remember  events  that   he 
witnessed  more  than  eighty  years  before.     He  retained  a  vivid  idea  of 
the  burning  of  the  ropewalk  on  Atkinson  Street,  Boston,  when  he  was 
seven  years  old,  and  the  hanging  of  three  pirates  on  the  same  day.     A 
cage,  with  a  post  in  the  middle,  was  hauled  on  trucks  from  the  jail-yard, 
where  the  Court-house  now  stands,  to  the  Common.      The  pirates  were 
hung  to  arms  extending  out  from  this  post.     This  was  also  used  for  a 
whipping-post  and  pillory,  and  usually  stood  near  the  head  of  State 

Street 

68 


538  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

He  was  a  man  of  rare  generosity,  often  giving  or  lending  consider- 
able amounts  of  money  where  needed,  when  he  had  no  reason  to  expect 
the  return  of  a  dollar.  Fie  was  a  stranger  to  all  feelings  of  malice  or 
ill-will.  One  who  knew  him  most  thoroughly,  says,  "  He  was  the  best- 
tempered  man  I  ever  knew."  An  organ  building  firm  were  accustomed, 
in  their  efforts  to  compete  with  him,  to  speak  in  severe  though  unjust 
terms  of  him.  When  he  heard  of  it  he  said,  "  They  would  feel  better 
if  they  only  had  work  enough  " ;  and  ever  ready  to  return  good  for  evil, 
he  soon  after  procured  for  them  a  good  contract.  It  is  needless  to  add 
that  they  became  his  firm  friends.  He  was  temperate  in  his  habits. 
Only  a  few  days  before  his  death  he  remarked  to  a  friend,  "  I  never 
smoked  nor  chewed  tobacco,  and  was  never  intoxicated." 

Mr.  Appleton  was  a  man  of  quiet  and  unobtrusive  manners,  tall  and 
erect,  with  a  genial  face  that  bore  a  striking  resemblance  to  that  of 
General  Washington.  He  was  a  cousin  to  the  Messrs.  Appleton,  the 
well-known  New  York  publishers,  and  a  descendant  of  Thomas  Apple- 
ton,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Ipswich. 

He  died  July  n,  1872,  in  the  8;th  year  of  his  age. 

Samuel  Pierce  began  the  manufacture  of  metallic  organ  pipes  in 
1847.  I*  was  trie  first  attempt  at  making  the  business  a  specialty.  It 
rapidly  increased,  and  necessitated  the  building  of  his  manufactory  in 
1852,  which  has  subsequently  been  enlarged,  to  furnish  room  for  the 
employment  of  about  thirty  workmen.  Mr.  Pierce  finds  a  market  for 
his  pipes  throughout  the  United  States  and  Canada,  among  first-class 
organ-builders. 

FIRE    ENGINES. 

The  engine  known  as  "  Union  No.  i,"  was  purchased  between  the 
years  1813-15,  by  private  contributions,  chiefly  from  those  who  desired 
to  become  exempt  from  doing  military  duty.  This  exemption  was  by 
law  allowed  to  those  who  belonged  to  a  fire  engine  company,  but  the 
number  belonging  to  a  company  was  limited  to  about  thirty-five.  Those 
holding  positions  in  this  company,  and  becoming  exempt  for  other 
reasons  from  doing  military  duty,  were  accustomed  to  sell  out  their 
rights,  at  fancy  prices,  to  others  who  desired  exemption. 

Engine  No.  2,  the  "Water  Witch,"  was  procured  in  1825,  for  similar 
reasons,  for  a  company  formed  in  the  neighborhood  of  Barnard's 
Hotel,  then  a  part  of  this  town.  It  was  last  used  when  the  hotel  was 
burnt,  April  18,  1867.  Its  first  captain  who  served  was  Nathaniel 
Batchelder,  Jr. ;  its  last,  Hiram  Batchelder,  chosen  in  1853. 

Engine   "Washington  No.    3,"  was  purchased  of  Charlestown,  in 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


539 


1836.  The  well  near  the  common,  so  long  used  for  the  comfort  of 
man  and  beast,  was  constructed  by  private  contributions  of  money  and 
labor  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  sufficient  reservoir  of  water  to 
supply  this  engine  in  case  of  fire. 

In  March,  1852,  the  shop  of  C.  H.  Goodwin  on  Salem  Street,  and 
in  the  same  year,  a  barn  belonging  to  Henry  Kingman,  were  destroyed 
by  fire.  In  May,  1853,  Harnden's  shop,  where  R.  C.  Totten's  shop 
now  is,  was  burnt,  with  lumber  and  other  property  valued  at  nearly 
$7,000.  There  was  no  fire  department  during  these  years,  but  the 
engines  were  worked  by  citizens.  The  frequent  recurrence  of  fires 
alarmed  the  people,  and  a  town-meeting  was  called  which  voted  to  pro- 
cure another  engine,  a  quantity  of  hose,  and  to  build  an  engine  house. 
On  the  sixth  of  June,  a  company  was  organized  to  take  charge  of  the 
new  engine,  which  was  christened  "  Eagle  No.  4."  Nathaniel  Vaughan, 
formerly  member  of  the  Boston  fire  department,  was  chosen  its  first 
foreman.  The  engine  was  built  by  Howard  and  Davis,  of  Boston.  It 
was  brought  to  Reading  October  29th,  and  its  arrival  was  celebrated  by 
a  large  gathering  of  people.  A  large  procession  marched  through  the 
principal  streets,  a  dinner  was  served  in  Harnden's  shop  just  rebuilt, 
and  a  levee  was  held  in  the  same  place  in  the  evening,  in  which  the 
ladies  participated.  The  successive  commanders  of  this  company 
have  been  Charles  H.  Lang,  Ira  W.  Ruggles,  N.  Vaughan,  Geo.  A. 
Niles,  W.  L.  Crowe,  J.  W.  Coburn,  James  M.  Day,  David  E.  Crowell, 
and  Wm.  L.  Crowe,  who  is  now  in  office. 

The  Hancock,  which  formerly  belonged  to  the  city  of  Charlestown, 
and  was  there  known  as  "Hancock  No.  i,"  was  purchased  in  1869, 
for  the  use  of  the  west  part  of  the  town,  to  take  the  place  of  Union 
No.  i,  which  was  put  out  of  commission.  It  had  been  stationed  in 
that  neighborhood  since  about  1865.  The  new  house  is  to  be  com- 
pleted for  the  occupancy  of  the  Hancock  on  the  first  of  April,  1874. 
It  is  located  near  the  school-house  on  Woburn  Street.  This  engine 
has  a  company  of  forty  men,  under  command  of  Capt.  S.  T.  Sweetser. 

The  town  appropriated,  in  1873,  for  building  engine  house  and  cis- 
terns, $7,000  ;  for  purchase  of  hose  for  use  of  engine  companies, 
$1,800. 

For  many  years  previous  to  1854,  the  different  organizations  when 
engaged  at  fires  were  under  command  of  fire-wards  chosen  by  the  town 
with  other  town  officers  ;  but  in  April  of  that  year,  a  fire  department 
was  established  under  an  act  of  the  Legislature.  Its  chief  engineers 
have  been  Benj.  M.  Boyce,  from  1854  to  1861,  inclusive;  Nathan  Car- 
ter, 1862  and  '63  ;  John  Clifford,  1864 ;  Dan'l  Creesey,  1865  ;  C.  D. 


540 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


Brown,  1866-67  (died  in  office);  James  McKay,  1868  to  1871  ;  Wil- 
liam H.  Temple,  1872  ;  Chas.  H.  Lang,  1873-4. 

BANKING    INSTITUTIONS. 

An  act  to  incorporate  the  Reading  Agricultural  and  Mechanical 
Association  was  approved  Feb.  10,  1831.  Edmund  Parker,  Joshua 
Prescott,  Warren  Perkins,  Abiel  Holden,  and  Jonas  Parker,  with  their 
associates,  are  named  as  corporators,  with  power  to  hold  real  estate  not 
exceeding  five  thousand  dollars  in  value  ;  and  the  annual  income  of  its 
personal  estate  not  to  exceed  two  thousand  dollars.  It  had  about  fifty 
members.  The  shares,  at  first,  were  ten  dollars  each.  The  institution 
did  business  as  a  bank  of  discount  and  deposit,  and  its  earnings  for 
many  years  were  applied  to  increase  the  amount  of  its  capital.  The 
par  value  of  its  shares  was  raised  in  1838  to  fifty,  and  ultimately  to  one 
hundred  dollars  each.  In  1846,  and  subsequently  to  1852,  the  divi- 
dends were  five  dollars  per  share  ;  in  1853-7,  six  dollars  ;  1858-60, 
twelve  dollars.  Its  customers  were  largely  engaged  in  trade  with  the 
Southern  States,  which  the  war  brought  to  an  abrupt  termination  with 
disaster  to  many  of  their  fortunes.  The  bank  suspended  operations 
and  eventually  closed  up  its  affairs,  without  loss  to  its  creditors. 

The  first  board  of  officers  was :  Edmund  Parker,  president ;  Warren 
Perkins,  vice-president ;  Jonathan  Frost,  secretary ;  Cyrus  Smith, 
treasurer ;  Thomas  Smith,  Abiel  Holden,  Caleb  Wakefield,  and  Eliab 
Parker,  Jr.,  directors. 

Hon.  Edmund  Parker  was  continued  as  president  till  his  death  in 
June,  1843,  when  Daniel  Pratt,  Esq.,  was  chosen.  Stephen  Foster 
succeeded  Cyrus  Smith  as  treasurer  in  1837.  The  present  officers  are 
Thomas  Sweetser,  president ;  S.  Foster,  vice-president ;  S.  E.  Parker, 
secretary  ;  Jonathan  Frost,  treasurer. 

The  corporation  has  never  forfeited  its  powers  and  privileges,  and 
has  the  right  to  resume  business  whenever  it  sees  fit. 

The  Reading  Savings  Bank  was  incorporated  June  12,  1869,  upon 
petition  of  Ephraim  Hunt,  William  Proctor,  and  others. 

The  corporation  organized  July  14,  1869,  by  the  choice  of  Ephraim 
Hunt,  president ;  Thomas  Sweetser,  vice-president ;  N.  P.  Pratt,  clerk 
and  treasurer ;  H.  G.  Richardson,  Stephen  Foster,  F.  O.  Dewey,  Al- 
fred Perkins,  N.  P.  Pratt,  Thomas  Sweetser,  William  Proctor,  F.  H. 
Knight,  Hiram  Barrus,  C.  P.  Judd,  E.  Hunt,  all  of  Reading;  Samuel  P. 
Breed,  of  North  Reading ;  and  Lemuel  Eames,  of  Wilmington,  trustees  ; 
E.  Hunt,  N.  P.  Pratt,  and  Stephen  Foster,  board  of  investment.  This 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


541 


list  of  officers  remains  nearly  unchanged.  Mr.  Sweetser  resigned  as 
vice-president,  and  Mr.  Dewey  was  elected  his  successor ;  N.  P.  Pratt 
resigned  his  position  on  the  board  of  investment,  to  which  H.  Barrus 
was  chosen. 

The  annual  report  of  the  treasurer,  dated  Nov.  i,  1873,  gives  tne  sum 
of  $181,224.76  as  the  total  assets  of  the  institution;  and  the  amount 
due  depositors,  $179,454.63;  leaving  a  surplus  of  $1,770.13.  The 
band  pays  its  depositors  a  semi-annual  dividend  of  three  per  cent.  It 
has  won  the  reputation  of  being  a  safe  institution  for  investments,  which 
the  financial  panic  of  1873  in  no  wise  disturbed. 

THE   CEMETERY. 

The  first  person  buried  in  the  cemetery  was  Ensign  Nathaniel  Par- 
ker, who  died  in  Dec.  1737.  There  is  a  tradition  that  he  was  the 
donor  of  the  land  to  the  town,  to  be  used  for  burial  purposes.  If  the 
tradition  is  true,  it  is  singular  that  nothing  appears  upon  the  records  of 
the  town  or  county  corroborating  it.  The  records  of  the  town  imply 
that  it  never  alienated  its  title  to  the  common,  or  to  the  old  cemetery 
adjoining.  Four  years  after  the  death  of  Ensign  Parker,  it  conveyed 
five  acres  lying  north  of  the  old  burying-ground,  and  bounded  on  it,  to 
John  Merrow.  The  few  acres  which  lay  between  the  common  and  the 
land  granted  to  Merrow  could  not  have  belonged  to  the  Boutwell  farm 
on  the  east,  or  to  the  Bancroft  farm  on  the  west,  without  following  most 
absurd  boundary  lines.  Nor  does  it  seem  probable  that  Ensign  Parker 
would  have  secured  a  title  to  the  same,  by  purchase  or  otherwise,  from 
the  town,  merely  for  the  sake  of  returning  it  as  a  donation.  If  he  did 
so  under  the  promptings  of  a  desire  to  leave  a  memorial  of  himself,  it 
seems  he  made  a  mistake  in  not  having  his  act  perpetuated  by  some 
record,  or  at  least  a  reference  to  it  in  his  will. 

A  committee  chosen  by  the  old  South  Parish,  in  1846,  report  at 
length  upon  the  subject,  March  16,  1848,  taking  the  position  that  the 
town  had  always  retained  its  ownership  of  the  burial-ground  till  it  was 
conveyed  to  the  parish.  The  report  of  the  committee  indicates  a  most 
thorough  examination  of  the  whole  matter,  and  their  conclusions  seem 
to  be  well  founded. 

In  1846,  the  parish  chose  Dr.  Horace  P.  Wakefield,  Sylvester  Harn- 
den,  and  Stephen  Foster  a^committee  to  purchase  land  of  Dana  Parker, 
lying  north  of  the  old  burying-ground,  to  lay  out  the  same  in  lots  and 
avenues,  and  make  sale  of  lots  for  payment  of  expenses.  The  commit- 
tee purchased  thirteen  acres  of  land,  and  employed  Amasa  Farrier,  an 


542 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


engineer  from  Stoneham,  to  superintend  the  work  of  laying  out  the  lots 
and  avenues,  and  prepare  a  lithograph  plan  of  the  new  cemetery.  The 
cemetery  was  consecrated  with  appropriate  services  Nov.  25,  1846. 
Rev.  Daniel  Temple,  the  returned  missionary,  made  the  invocatory 
prayer.  Rev.  Aaron  Pickett  delivered  the  address.  The  consecrating 
prayer  was  by  Rev.  E.  W.  Allen.  Several  original  hymns  were  sung. 
The  pleasure  of  the  occasion  was  seriously  marred  by  the  occurrence 
of  a  furious  snow-storm. 

In  1853,  the  parish  relinquished  its  interest  in  the  cemetery  to  the 
town,  which  thereupon  resumed  control  of  it 

March  7,  1870,  the  town  chose  a  board  of  trustees,  to  have  charge  of 
the  cemetery  and  of  all  moneys  appropriated  by  the  town,  or  contrib- 
uted by  individuals,  for  the  improvement  of  the  cemetery.  The  first 
board  of  trustees  were  Solon  Bancroft,  F.  H.  Knight,  for  three  years  ; 
F.  O.  Dewey,  Oilman  C.  Gleason,  for  two  years;  William  Proctor  and 
Thomas  B.  Pratt,  for  one  year.  The  same  persons  have  been  contin- 
ued by  re-election  to  the  present  time.  Three  and  a  half  acres  of  land 
have  been  purchased  of  Mr.  Dana  Parker,  which  extends  the  cemetery 
at  the  northwest  corner  to  "Love  Lane."  The  wall  on  Main  Street  has 
been  nearly  completed,  and  the  trustees  have  brought  the  cemetery  into 
a  condition  that  is  alike  creditable  to  themselves  and  the  town.  There 
are  few  cemeteries  that  possess  such  diversity  of  surface  in  so  small 
compass,  or  that  are  capable  of  being  made  so  attractive.  Mr.  Oilman 
C.  Gleason,  the  present  .efficient  sexton,  has  had  charge  of  the  cemetery 
for  many  years. 

SLAVES. 

It  is  said  that  previous  to  the  Revolutionary  war  nearly  every  large 
landholder  here  had  also  a  slave.  In  1754  there  were  twenty  colored 
persons  in  town  ;  in  1765,  thirty-four  ;  in  1783,  twelve.  It  is  probable 
that  nearly  all  of  these  were,  or  had  been,  slaves.  In  1744,  Sandy, 
servant  of  Dea.  Raham  Bancroft,  married  Pegg,  servant  of  Thomas 
Nichols.  In  1771,  Chester,  servant  of  Dea.  Samuel  Bancroft,  died. 
In  1723,  Benjamin  Pool  advertises  a  negro  man  who  had  run  away 
from  him.  In  1754,  Raham  Bancroft  in  his  will  orders  his  negroes 
sold.  In  1774,  Samuel  Bancroft  is  charged  by  Joseph  Bancroft  for 
shoes  for  "Prince"  and  "Cato"  and  "Fillis."  In  1764,  Joseph 
Damon  is  charged  for  shoes  for  "  Sesar."  Cesar  was  probably  a  native 
of  Africa.  His  face  was  scarred  with  tattoo  marks.  He  is  described 
as  "  a  clever  old  man,  and  a  favorite  with  the  children,"  but  inclined  to 
get  intoxicated.  When  in  this  condition,  he  said  he  "didn't  know 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  543 

what  the  matter  was,  but  things  would  go  round  and  round  just  like  a 
cart-wheel."  It  was  said  he  could  read  his  own  Bible,  but  no  other. 

"  Prince  Merrow "  was  the  name  of  another  slave  who  seems  to 
have  gone  into  the  army  as  a  substitute. 

"  Keemer,"  formerly  a  slave  in  Woburn,  removed  to  this  town  and 
married  "  Dinah,"  a  slave  belonging  to  the  Pool  family.  He  served  in 
the  army  of  the  Revolution,  and  received  a  pension. 

Sharper  Freeman  was  formerly  a  slave  to  Mr.  Breed,  of  Lynn.  He 
was  brought  from  Africa  when  about  sixteen  years  old,  and  was  believed 
to  be  the  son  of  a  king.  He  remembered  the  crying  of  his  mother 
when  he  was  brought  away.  He  gained  his  freedom,  as  did  several 
others  in  this  town,  by  enlisting  in  the  army,  when  he  received  the 
name  of  "Freeman."  By  the  aid  of  Gov.  Brooks  and  Dea.  Wake- 
field,  he  obtained  a  pension.  He  died  Jan.  4,  1833,  aged  about  90, 
and  was  buried  in  our  cemetery. 

Amos  Potamia,  son  of  Titus  and  Pegg  Potamia,  was  born  a  slave  in 
Wilmington,  and  baptized  Nov.  24,  1765.  He  removed  to  this  town 
and  accumulated  some  property.  He  invested  two  thousand  dollars  in 
the  Andover  and  Medford  turnpike,  which  shared  the  fate  of  similar 
investments  by  his  white  neighbors,  and  was  lost.  He  owned  the  house 
now  belonging  to  Mr.  John  Bowditch.  He  was  greatly  esteemed  as  a 
man  and  was  an  active  Christian.  He  never  married. 

TORNADOES. 

This  section  of  the  State  suffered  considerable  damage  in  the 
Great  Gale  of  Sept.  23,  1815.  Dea.  Caleb  Wakefield  relates  that 
a  storm  of  rain  with  wind  in  the  N.  E.  commenced  on  the  previous 
evening  and  continued  through  the  night.  In  the  course  of  the  next 
day  the  wind  changed  to  S.  E.  and  increased  till  about  two  o'clock, 
p.  M.  There  was  a  case  on  trial  before  John  Weston,  Esq  ,  that  day, 
in  which  Dea.  Wakefield  was  a  witness.  It  became  necessary  to  pro- 
duce the  commission  he  held  as  a  captain  of  the  military  company  to 
which  he  belonged.  He  went  home  for  it,  and  the  wind  blew  so 
strongly  that  on  the  way  his  horse  was  thrown  down.  On  his  arriving 
in  the  village  the  chimney  of  Mr.  Silas  Smith's  house  was  blown  down, 
giving  his  horse  a  sudden  fright.  On  his  way  he  noticed  several  sea 
gulls  that  had  been  driven  hither  by  the  wind,  trying  to  make  their 
descent  into  the  Quannapowitt.  They  were  repeatedly  driven  upward 
by  the  force  of  the  tempest  and  finally  disappeared.  The  wind  did 
not  appear  to  move  with  a  power  that  the  results  proved  it  to  possess. 
The  trees  were  borne  down  and  uprooted  by  it,  as  a  sapling  would  be 


546 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


during  him  to  come  here,  for  a  time  boarded  with  him,  and  subsequently 
married  the  niece  of  Mrs.  Chute.  The  parsonage  farm  extended  from 
the  common,  westward,  to  the  Jaquith  farm,  the  boundary  line  between 
the  two  passing  just  eastward  of  Mr.  William  Wakefield's  garden.  The 
.^  Jaquith  farm  extended  westerly  and  southerly  to  Washington  Street, 
and  northerly  to  the  Bancroft  farm.  Mr.  Chute  bought  the  Jaquith 
place,  and  in  1802  built  the  house  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mr. 
William  Carter,  the  conductor,  which  was  then  the  only  house  between 
the  parsonage  of  Mr.  Sanborn  and  the  old  Jaquith  house.  That  part 
of  Woburn  Street  which  connects  these  houses,  was  laid  out  in  1798. 
In  1809,  Mr.  Chute  erected,  a  little  eastward  of  his  house,  a  building 
which  was  for  some  years  used  for  an  academy.  The  school  kept 
here  was  under  the  instruction  of  Misses  Elizabeth  Eaton  and  Susan 
Eaton,  sisters  of  the  editress  of  the  "  Friend  of  Virtue."  One  room  in 
the  building  was  used  as  the  office  of  Dr.  Abner  Phelps,  who  came 
here  about  1812.  He  was  the  father  of  Hon.  Charles  A.  Phelps,  for- 
merly president  of  the  Massachusetts  Senate. 

Mr.  Chute  prosecuted  his  business  with  an  energy  that  for  many  years 
knew  no  rest,  and  was  considered  for  those  days  quite  wealthy.  He  was 
a  man  of  strict  integrity,  excellent  judgment,  devoted  piety,  and  uni- 
versally respected.  During  the  last  thirty  years  of  his  life  he  was  com- 
pelled, by  ill  health,  to  give  up  active  business.  He  died  March  2 1,  1843, 
in  the  eighty-third  year  of  his  age.  He  adopted  the  daughter  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Sanborn,  who  married  Samuel  W.  Carter,  father  of  William  Carter. 
Mr.  Chute  was  born  in  1760,  and  married  Polly  Stimpson,  of  Read- 
ing. He  was  the  tenth  child  of  Daniel,  born  1722  ;  who  was  a  son  of 
James,  who  commenced  a  settlement  in  Byfield  in  1681  ;  who  was  son 
of  James  Chewte,  register  in  Salem,  Mass. ;  who  was  son  of  Lionel, 
who  came  from  England  to  America"  in  1634  or  '5.  He  was  son 
of  Lionel,  son  of  Anthony,  son  of  Charles,  son  of  Robert,  son  of 
Edward,  of  Sussex,  who  sold  the  manor  of  Taunton  to  Lord  Dunhare 
in  1502.  Edward  was  son  of  Charles,  born  1438,  son  of  Robert,  Esq., 
of  Taunton,  son  of  Henry,  son  of  Edmond,  son  of  Ambrose,  son  of 
George,  son  of  Philip,  Esq.,  son  of  Cuthbard,  son  of  John,  son  of  Alex- 
ander, born  1268.  The  Chute' or  Chewte  family  had  a  coat  of  arms, 
described  as  "  Three  swords  barways  argeant,  hilt  and  pummeled,"  or, 
which  in  plain  English  appears  to  be  three  swords  placed  horizontally 
across  the  face  of  a  shield.  Henry  VIII  added  to  this  a  lion  of  Eng- 
land, and  a  crest  representing  a  hand,  couped  at  the  wrist,  holding  a 
broken  sword.  This  was  given  to  Philip  Chewte,  captain  of  Cumber 
Castle,  and  standard-bearer  of  the  arms  at  the  siege  of  "  Bollonge " 
(Boulogne). 


OF   THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


547 


The  genealogy  from  which  this  account  is  taken  is  written  on  an 
ancient  parchment,  now  in  possession  of  Rev.  Ariel  P.  Chute,  of  Bos- 
ton, a  nephew  of  Daniel,  Esq.  It  shows  the  coats  of  arms  of  the  Chute 
family,  and  of  other  families  with  whom  they  intermarried.  The  Chute 
families  still  exist  in  England,  soms  of  the  name  retaining  high  official 
and  social  positions.  Challoner  Chute,  who  was  a  descendant  of  the 
senior  branch  of  the  family,  was  speaker  of  the  House  of  Commons  in 
Cromwell's  Parliament.  His  estate  was  at  the  Vine  in  Hampshire, 
which  is  still  in  possession  of  his  descendants. 

John  Damon,  whose  name  appears  upon  the  town  records  in  1652, 
came,  it  is  said,  with  his  son  Samuel,  from  Reading,  County  of  Northum- 
berland, England.  He  may  have  been  here  some  years  earlier.  In  the 
list  of  those  "who  desire  to  be  made  freemen,"  in  May,  1645,  the  name 
John  Darning  is  given.  The  spelling  of  the  name  is  unusual ;  but  as 
none  of  that  name  appears  afterwards,  there  is  a  fair  presumption  that 
John  Damon  is  meant,  especially  as  in  the  same  list,  Humphreys  is 
spelled  "  Umphryes." 

John  Damon  at  first  located  near  Bear  Hill,  where  he  built  a  house 
over  the  cellar  which  is  still  visible.  The  year  of  his  death  is  uncertain. 
His  son  Samuel  was  born  in  1656,  which  seems  conclusive  evidence 
that  he  was  not  born  in  England.  On  his  way  to  or  from  church  he  was 
thrown  from  his  horse  and  killed ;  and  his  wife,  who  was  riding  on  the 
pillion  behind  him,  was  so  injured  as  to  be  unable  to  walk  for  the  re- 
mainder of  her  life.  It  is  unknown  when  the  family  removed  to  what 
is  since  known  as  the  John  Damon  farm.  The  present  house  was  built 
in  1751  by  his  grandson  Samuel,  who  used  in  its  construction  some  of 
the  material  from  the  house  preceding  this.  Some  of  these  old  boards 
used  in  the  roof  of  the  present  house,  are  said  to  have  been  sawed  by 
hand  in  what  was  called  a  saw-pit  mill. 

Samuel,  Jr.,  born  in  1756,  lived  with  his  father  many  years,  expect- 
ing to  succeed  to  the  ownership  of  the  farm.  At  length,  however,  he 
gave  up  his  expectations  to  his  younger  brother  John,  and  removed 
from  town.  The  father  soon  after  died,  and  Samuel  desired  a  portion 
of  the  property  to  remunerate  him  for  his  long  service  to  the  aged 
parent,  though  he  had  no  legal  claim  for  it.  John  magnanimously  paid 
his  demand,  and  thus  preserved  the  brotherly  ties,  where  many,  under 
similar  circumstances,  have  sundered  them.  His  subsequent  prosperity 
soon  replaced  more  than  he  had  sacrificed  for  peace.  His  son  John, 
born  in  1795,  sold  the  homestead  a  few  years  since,  and  now  lives 
near,  —  his  house  occupying  one  of  the  lots  belonging  to-  the  original 
farm. 


546 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


ducing  him  to  come  here,  for  a  time  boarded  with  him,  and  subsequently 
married  the  niece  of  Mrs.  Chute.  The  parsonage  farm  extended  from 
the  common,  westward,  to  the  Jaquith  farm,  the  boundary  line  between 
the  two  passing  just  eastward  of  Mr.  William  Wakefield's  garden.  The 
s  Jaquith  farm  extended  westerly  and  southerly  to  Washington  Street, 
and  northerly  to  the  Bancroft  farm.  Mr.  Chute  bought  the  Jaquith 
place,  and  in  1802  built  the  house  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mr. 
William  Carter,  the  conductor,  which  was  then  the  only  house  between 
the  parsonage  of  Mr.  Sanborn  and  the  old  Jaquith  house.  That  part 
of  Woburn  Street  which  connects  these  houses,  was  laid  out  in  1798. 
In  1809,  Mr.  Chute  erected,  a  little  eastward  of  his  house,  a  building 
which  was  for  some  years  used  for  an  academy.  The  school  kept 
here  was  under  the  instruction  of  Misses  Elizabeth  Eaton  and  Susan 
Eaton,  sisters  of  the  editress  of  the  "  Friend  of  Virtue."  One  room  in 
the  building  was  used  as  the  office  of  Dr.  Abner  Phelps,  who  came 
here  about  1812.  He  was  the  father  of  Hon.  Charles  A.  Phelps,  for- 
merly president  of  the  Massachusetts  Senate. 

Mr.  Chute  prosecuted  his  business  with  an  energy  that  for  many  years 
knew  no  rest,  and  was  considered  for  those  days  quite  wealthy.  He  was 
a  man  of  strict  integrity,  excellent  judgment,  devoted  piety,  and  uni- 
versally respected.  During  the  last  thirty  years  of  his  life  he  was  com- 
pelled, by  ill  health,  to  give  up  active  business.  He  died  March  21,  1843, 
in  the  eighty-third  year  of  his  age.  He  adopted  the  daughter  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Sanborn,  who  married  Samuel  W.  Carter,  father  of  William  Carter. 
Mr.  Chute  was  born  in  1760,  and  married  Polly  Stimpson,  of  Read- 
ing. He  was  the  tenth  child  of  Daniel,  born  1722  ;  who  was  a  son  of 
James,  who  commenced  a  settlement  in  Byfield  in  1681  ;  who  was  son 
of  James  Chewte,  register  in  Salem,  Mass.  ;  who  was  son  of  Lionel, 
who  came  from  England  to  America"  in  1634  or  '5.  He  was  son 
of  Lionel,  son  of  Anthony,  son  of  Charles,  son  of  Robert,  son  of 
Edward,  of  Sussex,  who  sold  the  manor  of  Taunton  to  Lord  Dunhare 
in  1502.  Edward  was  son  of  Charles,  born  1438,  son  of  Robert,  Esq., 
of  Taunton,  son  of  Henry,  son  of  Edmond,  son  of  Ambrose,  son  of 
George,  son  of  Philip,  Esq.,  son  of  Cuthbard,  son  of  John,  son  of  Alex- 
ander, born  1268.  The  Chute"  or  Chewte  family  had  a  coat  of  arms, 
described  as  "  Three  swords  barways  argeant,  hilt  and  pummeled,"  or, 
which  in  plain  English  appears  to  be  three  swords  placed  horizontally 
across  the  face  of  a  shield.  Henry  VIII  added  to  this  a  lion  of  Eng- 
land, and  a  crest  representing  a  hand,  couped  at  the  wrist,  holding  a 
broken  sword.  This  was  given  to  Philip  Chewte,  captain  of  Cumber 
Castle,  and  standard-bearer  of  the  arms  at  the  siege  of  "  Bollonge " 
(Boulogne). 


OF   THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


547 


The  genealogy  from  which  this  account  is  taken  is  written  on  an 
ancient  parchment,  now  in  possession  of  Rev.  Ariel  P.  Chute,  of  Bos- 
ton, a  nephew  of  Daniel,  Esq.  It  shows  the  coats  of  arms  of  the  Chute 
family,  and  of  other  families  with  whom  they  intermarried.  The  Chute 
families  still  exist  in  England,  some  of  the  name  retaining  high  official 
and  social  positions.  Challoner  Chute,  who  was  a  descendant  of  the 
senior  branch  of  the  family,  was  speaker  of  the  House  of  Commons  in 
Cromwell's  Parliament.  His  estate  was  at  the  Vine  in  Hampshire, 
which  is  still  in  possession  of  his  descendants. 

John  Damon,  whose  name  appears  upon  the  town  records  in  1652, 
came,  it  is  said,  with  his  son  Samuel,  from  Reading,  County  of  Northum- 
berland, England.  He  may  have  been  here  some  years  earlier.  In  the 
list  of  those  "who  desire  to  be  made  freemen,"  in  May,  1645,  the  name 
John  Darning  is  given.  The  spelling  of  the  name  is  unusual ;  but  as 
none  of  that  name  appears  afterwards,  there  is  a  fair  presumption  that 
John  Damon  is  meant,  especially  as  in  the  same  list,  Humphreys  is 
spelled  "  Umphryes." 

John  Damon  at  first  located  near  Bear  Hill,  where  he  built  a  house 
over  the  cellar  which  is  still  visible.  The  year  of  his  death  is  uncertain. 
His  son  Samuel  was  born  in  1656,  which  seems  conclusive  evidence 
that  he  was  not  born  in  England.  On  his  way  to  or  from  church  he  was 
thrown  from  his  horse  and  killed ;  and  his  wife,  who  was  riding  on  the 
pillion  behind  him,  was  so  injured  as  to  be  unable  to  walk  for  the  re- 
mainder of  her  life.  It  is  unknown  when  the  family  removed  to  what 
is  since  known  as  the  John  Damon  farm.  The  present  house  was  built 
in  1751  by  his  grandson  Samuel,  who  used  in  its  construction  some  of 
the  material  from  the  house  preceding  this.  Some  of  these  old  boards 
used  in  the  roof  of  the  present  house,  are  said  to  have  been  sawed  by 
hand  in  what  was  called  a  saw-pit  mill. 

Samuel,  Jr.,  born  in  1756,  lived  with  his  father  many  years,  expect- 
ing to  succeed  to  the  ownership  of  the  farm.  At  length,  however,  he 
gave  up  his  expectations  to  his  younger  brother  John,  and  removed 
from  town.  The  father  soon  after  died,  and  Samuel  desired  a  portion 
of  the  property  to  remunerate  him  for  his  long  service  to  the  aged 
parent,  though  he  had  no  legal  claim  for  it.  John  magnanimously  paid 
his  demand,  and  thus  preserved  the  brotherly  ties,  where  many,  under 
similar  circumstances,  have  sundered  them.  His  subsequent  prosperity 
soon  replaced  more  than  he  had  sacrificed  for  peace.  His  son  John, 
born  in  1795,  sold  the  homestead  a  few  years  since,  and  now  lives 
near,  —  his  house  occupying  one  of  the  lots  belonging  to-  the  original 
farm. 


548 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


In  1840,  Dea.  Wakefield,  who  administered  upon  the  Damon  estate* 
laid  out  that  portion  of  it  near  the  village,  in  streets  and  building  lots. 
The  streets  were  Union,  Pleasant,  Parker,  and  John.  The  last  was  so 
named  out  of  respect  to  its  then  late  owner,  and  may  be  considered  as 
a  compliment  to  each  of  those  who  bore  the  name,  and  owned  the  land* 
on  which  it  was  located.  The  ground  occupied  by  Union  Hall  was 
donated  for  its  use  by  Mr.  Damon.  After  the  laying  out  and  sale  of 
the  lots  by  Dea.  Wakefield,  the  Hon.  Edmund  Parker  remarked  to  him, 
"  Well,  you  have  laid  out  your  lots  and  sold  them  well,  but  you  will 
never  live  to  see  half  of  them  built  upon."  Whether  the  Squire  mis- 
judged as  to  the  length  of  the  good  deacon's  life,  or  as  to  the  future 
prosperity  and  progress  of  Reading,  need  not  be  decided ;  but  Dea- 
Wakefield,  now  nearly  eighty-nine  years  of  age,  still  in  the  enjoyment 
of  life,  health,  and  his  faculties,  lives  to  recall  the  prophecy,  and  re- 
mark that  he  has  seen  every  lot  built  upon  One  of  the  lots  which  then 
sold  for  thirty-six  dollars  was  divided,  and  one  of  the  halves  was  re- 
cently sold  for  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

Dea.  Wakefield  retains  a  vivid  recollection  of  the  memorial  services 
held  here  after  the  death  of  Washington.  The  people  from  both,  the 
other  parishes  met  here  on  that  occasion.  A  procession  was  formed 
at  the  tavern  of  Col.  Nathan  Parker,  under  his  superintendence,  which 
marched  to  the  church,  the  present  Union  Hall,  which  then  stood  on 
the  south  part  of  the  common.  A  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Stone,  of  the  North  Parish.  By  vote  of  the  town  it  was  printed,  and 
every  family  in  town  supplied  with  a  copy.  The  title-page  reads  :  "  A 
discourse  delivered  at  Reading,  Feb.  22,  1800:  the  day  recommended 
by  Congress  to  the  people  of  the  United  States,  by  their  assembling,  in 
such  manner  as  might  be  convenient,  and  publicly  testifying  their  grief 
for  the  death,  and  their  respect  for  the  memory  of  General  GEORGE 
WASHINGTON.  By  Eliab  Stone,  A.  M.,  minister  of  the  second  church  in 
Reading.  Boston  :  Manning  and  Loring,  printers,  near  the  Old  South 
meeting-house." 

Rev.  Aaron  Bancroft,  D.  D.,  born  in  Reading,  Nov.  10,  1755,  died  in 
Worcester,  Aug.  19,  1839,  was  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  most 
accomplished  scholars  of  the  country.  He  was  a  volunteer  in  the  bat- 
tles of  Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill ;  was  three  years  a  missionary  in 
Nova  Scotia,  graduated  at  Harvard,  and  was  settled  in  Worcester  in 
1785.  He  published  a  life  of  Washington,  and  a  volume  of  his  own 
sermons.  He  was  a  son  of  Samuel,  Esq.,  son  of  Capt.  Samuel,  son  of 
Dea.  Thomas,  son  of  Lieut.  Thomas,  son  of  John,  who  died  in  Lynn 
in  1637.  George  Bancroft,  the  historian,  is  a  son  of  Rev.  Aaron. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  . 

James  Bancroft,  Esq.,  and  captain  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution, 
was  son  of  Dea.  Raham,  who  was  a  brother  of  Capt.  Samuel,  the  grand- 
father of  Rev.  Aaron.  The  only  son  of  James,  Esq.,  died  unmarried. 
The  ancestors  of  Lieut.  Joseph  Bancroft,  —  who  was  a  cousin  of  Rev. 
Aaron,  — for  four  generations,  reaching  back  to  John  of  Lynn,  were 
each  named  Thomas.  In  the  sixth  generation,  to  which  Lieut.  Joseph 
belonged,  there  were  fifty-three  of  the  Bancroft  name,  but  it  is  a  singu- 
lar fact  that  all  the  Bancrofts  now  belonging  .in  Reading  are  the  de- 
scendants of  Lieut.  Joseph,  b.  1735,  who  m.  Elizabeth  Temple,  and 
had  five  sons:  Joseph,  b.  1762,  Timothy,  b.  1764,  Thomas,  b.  1766, 
Nehemiah,  b.  1768,  and  Jonathan,  b.  1774.  Capt.  Joseph,  Jr.,  had  Joseph, 
father  of  John  M.,  and  Lewis  H.  ;  and  Emery,  father  of  Solon,  Esq. 
Emery,  and  Frederic.  Timothy  had  Timothy,  father  of  Newton,  Charles, 
James,  Nathan,  Wendell,  and  Moses  ;  Capt.  George,  father  of  Thomas 
E.,  killed  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion ;  Parker,  father  of  Parker  E.  and 
Francis  J. ;  Abner,  father  of  Wm.  Hazen ;  Bradley ;  John  Hart.  Nehe- 
miah had  James  H.,  father  of  James  A.,  the  land  surveyor  and  present 
town  treasurer.  Jonathan  was  father  of  Harrison. 

Col.  Nathan  Parker  was  a  leading  man  in  this  part  of  Reading.  He 
kept  the  hotel  where  Mr.  James  Davis  has  resided  for  many  years,  near 
the  head  of  Ash  Street.  It  is  not  known  when  he  commenced,  but  he 
is  credited  in  1781  with  "a  pale  of  toddy,"  and  again  with  "  i  quart 
wetin  and  3  pints  rum,"  which  implied  that  he  was  then  keeping  tavern 
there,  and  it  is  probable  that  he  continued  to  keep  it  until  his  removal 
to  the  new  tavern  in  1806,  where  the  bank  now  stands.  He  was  the 
first  postmaster  here,  and  held  the  office  till  the  appointment  of  John 
Weston,  Esq.  The  law  passed  by  Congress  imposing  what  was  called 
"  the  direct  tax,"  to  raise  money  for  paying  the  expenses  of  the  war  of 
1812,  was  an  unpopular  enactment,  and  a  meeting  was  called  here  which 
passed  resolutions  disapproving  it.  Col.  Parker  presided  over  the 
meeting,  which  gave  offence  to  the  President,  and  was  the  cause  of  his 
removal  from  the  office  of  postmaster. 

When  John  Weston,  Esq.,  was  appointed  his  successor,  with  due  for- 
mality he  waited  upon  the  Colonel,  and  commenced  a  speech,  saying, 
"  It  becomes  my  painful  duty,  sir,  to  inform  you  that  the  post:office  is 
transferred  "  —  "  No  pain  to  me.  Squire,"  replied  the  Colonel,  inter- 
rupting the  speech,  "I  am  glad  to  get  rid  of  it." 

The  first  wife  of  Col.  Parker  was  Phebe,  daughter  of  Ephraim 
Pratt.  Hon.  Edmund,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Nathan,  afterwards  of  Ports- 
mouth, N.  H.,  were  her  sons.  Col.  Parker's  second  wife  was  widow 
Abigail  Eaton,  whose  daughter  m.  Joshua  Prescott,  Esq.,  father  of 


550 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


A.  A.  Prescott,  Esq.  The  children  of  the  second  wife  were  Thomas 
Parker,  the  storekeeper,  and  Susan,  who  m  Thaddeus  B.  Pratt,  Esq., 
father  of  N.  P.  Pratt,  Esq.  The  third  wife  of  Col.  Parker  was  Lydia 
Stearns,  of  Bedford.  Her  daughter  Phebe  m.  Thomas  Pratt.  Her  son, 
Nathaniel,  kept  the  hotel  for  a  few  years;  Gould,  Sarah,  and  Eunice  m. 
and  removed  from  town. 

Hon.  Edmund  Parker,  son  of  Col.  Nathan,  is  remembered  as  a  man 
of  excellent  judgment,  sensible  and  practical,  well  known  and  popular 
throughout  the  county.  He  was  a  "  Federal  "  and  afterwards  "  Whig  " 
in  political  sentiment,  and  repeatedly  served  as  the  representative  of 
his  town  in  the  Legislature.  He  was  councillor  in  1840,  and  senator 
in  1841.  He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  was  often  called  upon  to 
act  as  referee  in  cases  decided  by  arbitration.  Caroline,  daughter  of 
Hon.  Edmund,  m.  James  Davis,  father  of  William  Wallace. 

The  Parker  families  in  this  town  all  descend  from  Thomas,  who 
embarked  at  London  March  n,  1635,  and  came  to  Lynn.  He  was 

made  freeman  in   1637,   m.  Amy ,  d.   1683,  aged  74  years ;  was 

probably  a  resident  of  Reading  for  upwards  of  twenty  years.  His  son, 
Sergt^  John,  b.  1640,  m.  Hannah  Kendall,  1667,  had  John,  b.  1668, 
who  had  John,  b.  1701,  who  had  Jonas,  1728,  who  had  Jonas,  Aaron, 
William,  and  Amos.  Jonas  had  Capt.  Jonas,  and  Ephraim,  father  of 
Jerome  and  Clarkson.  Aaron,  b.  1756,  m.  Jerusha  Damon,  and  had 
Aaron,  b.  1788,  who  m.  Rebekah,  daughter  of  Capt.  Joseph  Bancroft, 
and  had  Dea.  Stillman  E.,  Henry  F.,  and  Rebekah,  who  m.  John  Adden, 
parents  of  John  Henry.  The  other  sons  of  Aaron,  born  1756,  were 
Jabez  D.,  father  of  Samuel  and  Wyman ;  John ;  William,  father  of 
Warren,  Edward,  and  William  C. ;  and  Rev.  B.  Wyman,  the  mission- 
ary. Polly,  the  daughter  of  Aaron,  m.  Silas  Smith,  parents  of  Sydney, 
who  was  as st.  engineer  on  the  "  Kearsarge."  William,  son  of  Jonas, 
b.  1728,  had  Luther,  father  of  William  Strong  ;  Sarah,  who  m.  William 
Wakefield,  parents  of  Frederick  and  Rev.  William ;  Sophronia,  who  m. 
Henry  Kingman,  parents  of  William  P.  and  Oilman  D. ;  and  Lavinia, 
who  m.  Daniel  Nichols,  parents  of  Howard  P.,  Hartwell,  and  Wyman. 

Amos,  son  of  Jonas,  b.  1728,  m.  Polly  Taylor,  and  had  Amos,  who 
m.  Nancy  Batchelder,  parents  of  Solon  A. ;  and  Dana,  who  m.  Eliza- 
beth Steele,  parents  of  Milton  D.,  who  m.  Melvina  Bancroft,  and  Galen 
A.,  who  m.  Edna  S.,  daughter  of  Hiram  Barrus ;  Betsey,  first  wife  of 
Amos  Temple ;  Philomela,  who  m.  Walter  Damon,  parents  of  Washing- 
ton P. ;  and  Harriet,  who  m.,  ist,  Samuel  Dinsmoor ;  zd,  Jacob  Smith 

Benjamin  Parker,  b.  1703,  brother  of  John,  b.  1701 ;  had  William,  b. 
1735,  and  Asa,  b.  1740,  and  others.  William  had  Richard,  father  of 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


551 


William,  Cephas,  Theron,  and  Loton.  Asa  had  Loea,  b.  1782,  m. 
Anna  Bancroft ;  parents  of  Loea,  b.  1809,  Asa  and  Harrison  Loea, 
Jr.,  was  father  of  Oilman  L.  and  Elmore. 

Thomas,  the  pilgrim,  had  Ensign  Nathaniel,  who  was  the  first  person 
buried  in  the  Reading  cemetery,  b.  1651,  d.  1737,  who  was  the  father 
of  Lieut.  Nathaniel,  b.  1679,  d.  1761,  who  had  Capt.  Nathan,  b.  1719, 
who  was  father  of  Col.  Nathan,  b.  1748,  d.  1815,  and  Dr.  Nathaniel, 
who  died  in  Salem  at  the  age  of  36,  and  Edmund,  who  died  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  Ensign  Nathaniel,  who  d.  1737,  had  Jonathan,  b. 
about  1682,  who  m.  Barbara  Ilsley  in  1706,  and  had  Daniel,  b.  1725, 
who  m.  Sarah,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Parker.  Daniel,  Jr.,  b.  1752,  m. 
Sarah  Richardson,  1780,  and  had  Jonathan,  b.  1783,  who  m.  Susanna, 
daughter  of  Capt.  Joseph  Bancroft.  They  were  the  parents  of  Dea, 
Milo  Parker. 

/  Thaddeus  B.  Pratt,  Esq.,  b.  1777,  was  father  of  Nathan  P.  Pratt, 
Esq.,  b.  1811,  who  m.  Louisa  Wakefield ;  Abigail,  b.  1809,  m.  Hon.  H. 
P.  Wakefield,  M.  D.  ;  and  Louisa,  b.  1814,  m.  Stephen  Foster,  Esq. 

Mr.  Pratt  was  an  active  business  man,  and  a  prominent  citizen  of 
the  town  ;  had  excellent  judgment,  was  thoroughly  honest,  fearless  in 
the  expression  of  his  opinions,  and  interested  and  active  in  everything 
that  promoted  the  well-being  of  the  town,  and  was  often  called  to  serve 
his  fellow-citizens  in  official  positions.  He  was  son  of  Isaac,  b.  1740, 
son  of  Timothy,  b.  1702,  son  of  John,  who  came  to  Reading  about 
1692,  and  who  was  the  ancestor  of  most  of  the  families  of  that  name 
now  in  Reading.  He  was  son  of  John,  of  Medfield,  who  died  in  1707. 
His  will  is  recorded  in  the  Suffolk  Probate  Office,  vol.  16,  page  328. 
He  was  son  of  John,  of  Dorchester,  who  came  from  England,  and  was 
made  freeman  in  1634. 

George  Minot,  lawyer,  born  in  Haverhill,  Jan.  5,  1817,  graduated  at 
Harvard,  studied  law  with  Rufus  Choate,  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
1839,  was  for  ten  years  editor  of  the  U.  S.  Statutes  at  Large,  published 
an  edition  of  nine  volumes  of  English  Admiralty  Reports,  and  was  the 
editor  of  the  well-known  "  Minot's  Digest,"  of  the  Decisions  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Massachusetts.  He  removed  to  Reading  about 
1847,  and  was  the  attorney  of  the  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad  corpora- 
tion, up  to  the  time  of  his  decease,  April  16,  1858. 

William  F.  Harnden,  son  of  Amariah  and  Sally  Harnden,  a 
cousin  of  the  late  Sylvester  Harnden  ;  was  born  in  Reading} 
Aug-  23>  1812,  and  lived  here  till  about  fourteen  years  of  age. 
He  originated  the  express  business,  March  4,  1839,  when,  agree- 
ably to  previous  announcement  through  the  newspapers,  he  made  a 


552 


GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 


trip  as  a  public  messenger,  from  Boston  to  New  York,  via  Boston  and 
Providence  Railroad,  and  a  Long  Island  Sound  steamboat.  He  had  in 
charge  a  few  booksellers'  bundles  and  orders,  and  some  brokers'  parcels 
of  bank-notes  to  deliver  or  exchange,  for  which  he  charged  an  adequate 
compensation.  He  also  made  arrangements  for  the  rapid  transit  of 
freight,  and  the  delivery  of  the  latest  intelligence  to  the  press  in  advance 
of  the  mails.  The  business  was  rapidly  extended,  not  only  in  this 
country,  but  to  foreign  countries.  Mr.  Harnden  employed  his  brother, 
Adolphus  H.,  as  his  agent  over  the  route  to  New  York.  The  latter 
lost  his  life,  with  young  Weston  of  this  town,  in  the  ill-fated  steamer 
«' Lexington,"  which  was  burnt  on  Long  Island  Sound,  Jan.  13,  1840. 
Mr.  Harnden  himself  died  in  1848.  The  business  had  increased  to 
such  an  extent  that  ten  years  ago  it  was  estimated  that  the  aggregate 
capital  employed  in  carrying  it  on  was  from  ten  to  fifteen  millions  of 
dollars,  yielding  a  return  to  the  stockholders  of  nearly  fifteen  per  cent. 

Mr.  Alfred  Perkins,  born  in  Dunbarton,  N.  H.,  Nov.  26,  1808,  came 
to  Boston  about  1826  or  '27,  and  engaged  in  the  wood  and  coal  busi- 
ness. He  furnished  fuel  to  the  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad  corpora- 
tion from  the  commencement  of  its  business  till  he  was  appointed  fuel 
agent  by  them,  which  position  he  held  for  seventeen  years.  He  first 
came  to  Reading  in  1844,  but  soon  returned  to  the  city.  He  repur- 
chased in  1 86 1  the  residence  here  which,  during  the  summer  season, 
he  continued  to  occupy  till  his  decease,  which  occurred  in  Boston,  Feb. 
8,  1874.  He  was  a  genial  man,  extensively  known,  and  greatly 
esteemed  for  his  many  virtues.  The  officers  of  the  Savings  Bank  in 
Reading,  of  which  he  was  a  trustee,  passed  a  vote  of  respect  to  his 
memory. 


PERSONS  RESIDING  IN  READING   DOING  BUSINESS   PRINCIPALLY 

IN   BOSTON. 

Edward  Appleton,  Esq.,  was  borri  in  Boston.  He  received  the 
Franklin  medal  in  the  Latin  School  in  1830,  graduated  at  Harvard 
College  1835,  and  taught  in  the  Latin  School  one  year,  and  in  Beverly 
Academy  in  1842-3.  'He  commenced  studying  civil  engineering  with 
James  Hayward  in  1838,  and  assisted  him  in  the  construction  of  the 
Boston  and  Maine  Railroad.  In  1842,  he  married  Miss  Frances  Anne 
Atkinson,  a  relative  of  Theodore  Atkinson,  who  died  in  1769,  the  first 
husband  of  Lady  Frances  Deering  Wentworth,  one  of  the  maids  of 
honor  to  the  Queen.  The  portrait  of  Lady  Wentworth,  who  was  a 
woman  of  great  beauty,  was  painted  by  Copley  the  artist,  and  was 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


553 


recently  sold  in  New  York  for  two  thousand  dollars.  The  towns  of 
Atkinson  and  Wentworth,  N.  H.,  received  their  names  from  her  fami- 
lies. Mr.  Appleton  came  to  Reading  in  1844,  and  continued  his  work 
upon  the  extension  of  the  railroad  through  this  town  to  Boston.  He 
was  subsequently  employed  upon  the  Ogdensburg  Railroad,  N.  Y. 
State ;  and  for  several  years  upon  railroads  in  Maine  ;  then  upon  the 
South  Reading  Branch,  and  also  in  building  the  Saugus  Branch  rail- 
roads. In  1855  he  spent  nearly  a  year  in  the  oil  regions  of  Pennsyl- 
vania in  railroad  business,  where  he  frequently  saw  the  oil  flowing  off 
on  the  surface  of  the  water  in  the  creeks,  but  the  discovery  of  the  mar- 
vellous supply  contained  in  the  earth  had  not  then  been  made.  He 
was  employed  in  engineering  upon  the  Cambridge  Horse  Railroad  — 
the  first  of  the  kind  in  this  vicinity ;  then  for  six  years  in  making  sur- 
veys and  constructing  railroads  in  the  State  of  Wisconsin.  From  1862 
to  1867,  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Boston,  Hartford  and  Erie  Rail- 
road corporation.  He  served  as  one  of  the  first  Board  of  Railroad 
Commissioners  in  this  State  from  1868  to  1870.  His  son  Thomas, 
civil  engineer,  is  actively  employed  in  the  same  profession. 

Charles  W.  Abbott,  born  in  Lowell,  was  for  fourteen  years  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Salmon  Falls  Manufacturing  Co.  as  clerk  and  pay-master ; 
came  to  Reading  in  1869  ;  is  engaged  in  the  wool  commission  business. 
"  Has  no  political  aspirations." 

Milo  L.  Allen,  born  in  Manchester,  Massachusetts,  1838,  removed  to 
Lawrence,  1848,  thence  to  Reading  in  1873.  Is  clerk  in  the  U.  S. 
Treasury  in  Boston,  having  been  appointed  in  1870. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Barrows,  now  about  nineteen  years  a  resident  in 
Reading,  marks  a  type  of  family  slowly  disappearing  from  New  Eng- 
land. His  early  home  was  a  family  of  twelve,  Yankee  on  both  sides 
of  the  house  from  Pilgrim  days ;  a  farm  of  sixty  acres,  and  obstinate 
for  boys'  culture  ;  parental  common-sense  ;  a  spindle  ;  a  loom  ;  annual 
barrels  of  home  beef  and  pork ;  indefinite  bushels  of  grain  and  vege- 
tables ;  a  few  books  well  chosen  and  thumbed ;  a  district  school,  well 
attended  without  regard  to  weather ;  and  the  Sabbath  uniformly  divided 
between  home  and  the  Lord's  house,  three  miles  away.  The  old-fash- 
ioned virtues,  ideas,  and  knowledge  ruled  the  home,  more  than  a  din- 
ner, new  jacket,  or  two-story  house.  The  Bible  and  Catechism  and 
New  England  Primer  furnished  moral  lessons  ;  Proverbs  and  Franklin's 
Aphorisms,  the  industrial  and  economical  teachings.  The  Old  Testa- 
ment stories  were  never  threadbare.  Elijah's  ravens,  Elisha's  bears, 
Daniel's  lions,  and  Noah's  menagerie  always  came  out  with  a  new 
feather,  claw,  or  antic.  Books  were  in  the  highest  honor,  and  all 
70 


554  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

printed  matter  was  sacred.  No  winter  snows  were  too  lively  or  deep 
for  the  ox-sled  and  a  load  of  neighborhood  children  on  the  way  to 
school,  where  the  firewood  was  four  feet  long,  and  many  of  the  boys 
six.  Naturally  from  such  a  home  three  of  the  sons  entered  college,  yet 
with  great  pecuniary  struggle.  There  were  dark  valleys  and  rough 
cliff1?  and  miserable  sloughs  all  the  way.  It  was  sawing  and  hoeing 
and  mowing  to  pay  bills  in  classics  and  mathematics,  science  and  litera- 
ture. Garden  roots  were  cultivated  by  day  and  Greek  ones  by  night, 
by  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  while  in  Andover ;  and  in  New  York, 
Hebrew  and  private  teaching  by  the  hour,  theological  polemics  in  the 
Seminary,  classes  in  Brooklyn  and  five-minute  lunches  on  Fulton  ferry, 
were  all  sandwiched  together.  So  every  bill  was  paid  to  its  full  face, 
and  every  borrowed  dollar  returned.  This  is  wellnigh  one  of  the  lost 
arts  in  getting  a  liberal  education,  and  therefore  mentioned  here.  This 
struggle  made  labor  a  habit  and  fair  success  a  rule  with  Dr.  Barrows. 
Rare  good  health  has  allowed  unbroken  toil,  —  in  a  ministry  of  twenty- 
five  years  only  two  Sabbaths  having  been  lost  from  the  pulpit  by 
sickness.  Perhaps  his  habits  of  recreation  should  be  named  in  this 
connection.  His  resting  hours  have  been  taken  in  kindling  camp-fires 
all  the  way  from  New  Brunswick  to  Colorado,  as  his  Twelve  Nights  in 
the  Hunter's  Camp  has  sketched.  If  he  has  a  weakness  it  is  for  a 
good  fish-hook  and  fowling-piece  away  from  home,  and  a  spade  at  home 
in  leisure  hours. 

In  the  spring  of  1873  Dr.  Barrows  was  appointed,  by  a  unanimous 
and  to  himself  totally  unexpected  vote,  to  the  secretaryship  of  the 
Massachusetts  Home  Missionary  Society,  which  office  he  now  holds. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Adams  (Gate)  Barrows,  wife  of  the  Rev.  W.  Barrows, 
D.  D.,  was  born  in  Pembroke,  N.  H.  Her  parents  were  Meshach  Gate 
and  Lucy  (Adams)  Gate.  She  was  the  second  daughter,  and  the 
youngest  of  three  children.  Her  early  school  days  were  spent  in  Bos- 
ton. She  afterwards  took  the  full  course  at  Bradford  Academy,  where 
she  was  graduated  in  1842.  Leaving  as  a  graduate,  she  soon  re- 
turned as  a  teacher,  and  so  remained  for  about  four  years.  Thence 
she  went  as  an  instructor  to  the  Beacon  Hill  Seminary,  Boston,  an 
institution  belonging  to  the  Rev.  Hubbard  Winslow,  D.  D.  From  this 
school  of  young  ladies  Mrs.  Barrows  was  called  to  be  the  principal  of 
Wheaton  Female  Seminary,  where  she  had  the  charge  for  about  three 
years  immediately  prior  to  her  marriage,  which  took  place  in  1849. 

In  addition  to  the  instruction  of  many  private  pupils  resident  in  the 

•  family,  Mrs.  Barrows  has  used  her  pen  more  or  less  for  the  public  in 

Christian  and  literary  periodicals,  and  in  the  production  of  several 


OF  THE   TOWtf  OF  READING.  555 

Sabbath-school  books.  At  the  request  of  the  Trustees  of  her  alma 
mater,  she  prepared  the  Memorial  of  Bradford  Academy,  an  octavo 
and  illustrated  volume,  a  well-merited  tribute  to  that  superior  school, 
and  an  interesting  contribution  to  the  history  of  the  Christian  educa- 
tion of  woman.  The  work  gives  large  space  to  an  outline  memoir  of 
that  noble  woman  and  pioneer  in  female  education,  Abigail  Carleton 
Hasseltine. 

Hiram  Barrus,  born  in  Goshen,  Mass.,  July  5,  1822  ;  brought  up  on  a 
farm ;  fitted  for  college,  but  changing  his  plans,  pursued  his  studies  as 
opportunities  presented. 

He  was  employed  in  teaching  portions  of  nearly  every  year  from 
1840  to  1852,  and  for  a  few  terms  subsequently.  Was  engaged  from 
1853  for  several  years  in  closing  up  the  affairs  of  a  manufacturing  cor- 
poration, and  managing  suits  at  law  connected  with  its  affairs.  Several 
questions  growing  out  of  these  suits  were  carried  to  the  Supreme  Court, 
in  which  new  and  important  principles  were  for  the  first  time  estab- 
lished. He  was  frequently  engaged  in  his  own  and  adjoining  towns  in 
settlement  of  estates  in  Probate  Court,  making  out  legal  papers,  and 
doing  the  usual  routine  business  pertaining  to  the  office  of  justice  of 
the  peace,  to  which  he  was  appointed  nearly  twenty  years  since.  In 

1 86 1,  he  received  from  his  personal  friend,  Collector  Goodrich,  an 
appointment  in  the  Boston  Custom  House,  serving  in  several  positions 
to  which  he  had  been  promoted,  without  request  on  his  part ;  he  was 
appointed  in  1864  to  his  present  position,  Assistant  Cashier.     In  the 
spring  of  1869,  by  order  of  the  Treasury  Department,  he  was  detailed 
with  Deputy  Collector  J.  M.  Fiske,  to  assist,  in  Washington,  in  revising 
and  making  uniform  the  system  of  blank  forms  used  in  keeping  the 
customs  accounts  in  the  various  ports  through  the  country.     He  was 
subsequently  recalled  by  the  department  to  supervise  the  proofs  of  the 
revised  system,  as  they  passed  through  the  governmental  printing  office. 
He  came  to  Reading,  May  19,  1863.     He  has  occasionally  contributed 
to  the  newspapers,  and  in  1865,  published  a  serial  history  of  his  native 
town.     Though  not  claiming  to  be  an  author,  some  of  his  writings  have 
found  their  way  into  books  published  by  others. 

T.  T.  Briggs  was  born  in  Turner,  Me.,  June  15, 1832  ;  came  to  Read- 
ing Sept.  1867.  He  was  engaged  in  the  grocery  trade  from  1855  to 

1862.  Since  March,  1870,  he  has  been  connected  with  Gilman  L. 
Parker  in  the  coffee  and  spice  business,. under  the  name  of  Briggs  & 
Parker. 

Mr.  William  Butler  was  a  native  of  Oxford,  Mass.;  came  to  Boston 
in  1825,  and  removed  to  Reading  in  1849  or  '50.  He  was  long  en- 


556 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


gaged  in  the  hardware  business  near  Dock  Square  in  Boston.  In  1832 
he  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  combs,  which  for  many  years  he 
made  an  article  of  export.  For  several  years  he  owned  a  number  of 
vessels,  and  was  engaged  in  commercial  pursuits.  The  depression 
produced  in  that  department  of  business,  by  the  war  of  the  rebellion, 
led  him  to  go  to  England  and  France,  where  he  disposed  of  his  vessels, 
and  then  relinquished  the  business.  His  son,  William,  Jr.,  is  in  the 
employ  of  the  Saxonville  Manufacturing  Corporation,  of  which  his  uncle, 
J.  W.  Blake,  is  treasurer. 

Joshua  Clark,  born  in  Dennis,  Mass.,  1829,  received  his  educational 
the  academies  of  Dennis,  Brewster,  and  Andover ;  came  to  Boston  in 
1848,  and  entered  as  clerk  in  the  Shoe  and  Leather  Dealers  Bank. 
He  has  served  in  his  present  position  as  paying  teller  sixteen  years. 
He  removed  to  Reading  in  1866,  having  previously  resided  in  Medford 
six  years,  and  in  East  Boston  eleven. 

Maj.  A.  M.  Cook,  born  in  New  Durham,  N.  H.,  1823,  came  to  Bos- 
ton, 1845 ;  engaged  in  trucking  and  express  business  from  1854  to 
1870. 

He  was  commander  of  Cook's  Battery  in  Boston,  and  was  ordered  to 
parade  on  the  common,  April  19,  1861,  when  Gov.  Andrew  informed 
them  they  might  be  ordered  into  service  at  any  moment.  A  telegram 
was  received  that  night. of  the  assault  upon  our  soldiers  in  Baltimore, 
and  a  request  from  Gen.  Butler  that  more  troops  be  forwarded  imme- 
diately. Saturday,  the  20th,  was  spent  in  hurried  preparations,  and  at 
nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  batteries,  with  horses  and  ammunition, 
were  upon  the  cars,  ready  to  move.  They  were  delayed  till  sunrise  in 
waiting  for  the  Fifth  Regiment,  but  then  started  and  reached  New  York 
in  the  evening.  There  they  embarked  on  the  steamer  "  De  Soto  "  for 
Annapolis.  They  were  in  Baltimore,  with  their  field-pieces  stationed 
in  Monument  Square,  and  at  the  Custom  House  and  Post-office,  when 
the  Rebel  Legislature  was  arrested.  They  returned  home  at  the  end 
of  their  three  months'  service.  In  1862,  Major  Cook  recruited  the 
Eighth  Massachusetts  Battery,  which  enlisted  for  six  months,  and  was 
in  the  battles  of  the  second  Bull  Run,  Chantilly,  South  Mountain,  and 
Antietam.  Major  Cook  was  appointed  superintendent  of  warehouses 
in  the  Boston  Custom  House,  in  Aug.  1861,  which  position  he  still  holds. 
During  his  absence  in  the  army  the  place  was  supplied  by  another. 
He  came  to  Reading,  July,  1871,  and  built  his  present  residence  in  the 
following  year. 

Charles  R.  Corkins,  born  and  lived  at  Whitingham,  Vt.,  till  the  age 
of  fourteen  years.  Removed  to  Charlestown  in  1861,  and  to  Reading 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  557 

in  1870.  Has  been  for  seven  years  engaged  in  the  insurance  busi- 
ness. 

Francis  O.  Dewey,  born  in  Berlin,  near  Montpelier,  Vt.,  June  20, 
1823  ;  came  to  South  Reading,  now  Wakefield,  1841,  remaining  five 
years  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Burrage  Yale ;  then  commenced  his  present 
business  in  Boston,  removing  his  residence  to  Brighton.  He  came  to 
Reading,  May  12,  1863,  and  still  resides  on  the  place  formerly  occupied 
by  Frank  Palmer,  superintendent  of  the  Merchants  Exchange,  in 
Boston. 

Mr.  Dewey  is  one  of  the  largest  dealers  in  New  England  in  his 
branch  of  the  glassware  trade.  His  business  extends  throughout  New 
England,  Canada,  and  the  British  Provinces.  His  sons  Edgar  and 
Frank  H.  are  engaged  with  him. 

W.  F.  Durgin,  a  native  of  Peabody,  lived  in  Bradford  till  he  attained 
his  majority ;  was  educated  at  Atkinson  and  Middleboro'  academies ; 
taught  school  and  lived  several  years  at  Martha's  Vineyard,  where  he 
was  employed  as  agent  of  a  manufacturing  company.  In  1865,  came 
to  Boston  and  was  engaged,  first,  in  the  office  of  the  "  Watchman  and 
Reflector,"  and  subsequently,  in  his  present  position,  as  the  commercial 
editor  of  the  "  Advertiser."  "  Never  held  a  political  office."  Removed 
to  Reading  in  1867,  and  to  his  present  residence  in  1873,  which  was 
built  by  him. 

Wm.  W.  Elliott ;  foundry  business  ;  native  of  Mason,  N.  H. ;  came 
to  Boston,  and  opened  business  in  1854  ;  came  to  Reading,  May,  1873. 

Oscar  Foote,  born  in  Fairfield,  Vt.,  May  5,  1826;  came  to  Boston  in 
1850,  and  has  since  been  principally  employed  in  business  connected 
with  the  market,  and  has  done  a  large  business  in  the  Western  pork 
trade. 

He  lived  in  Charlestown  eight  years,  and  came  to  Reading  in  Sep- 
tember, 1864.  Since  living  here  he  has  built  several  valuable  houses 
upon  his  homestead,  which  formerly  belonged  to  the  Temple  family, 
and  which  continued  in  their  name  for  a  hundred  and  thirty-four  years. 
Mr.  Foote  has  laid  much  of  it  out  in  building  lots,  with  suitable  streets. 

Jacob  Graves,  born  in  Vienna,  Me.,  Dec.  5,  1829 ;  entered  on  busi- 
ness in  Faneuil  Hall  Market,  1847;  came  to  Reading  1852,  bought  here 
1864;  does  an  extensive  business  in  fancy  fowls,  and  is  the  patentee 
pf  "  Graves'  Incubator  and  Artificial  Mother,"  which  entirely  dis- 
penses with  the  services  of  the  hen  (after  the  egg  is  laid)  in  hatching 
and  raising  chickens. 

S.  E.  Gould,  bridge  contractor  and  builder,  born  in  Warwick,  Mass., 
1 8 10;  soon  removed  to  Newfane,  Vt. ;  came  to  Boston,  1836,  removed  to 


558  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Reading,  1872.  In  1856  was  an  alderman  in  Boston,  and  also  served 
three  years  as  assessor.  He  is  proprietor  of  the  store  near  his  resi- 
dence on  Woburn  Street. 

Ira  C.  Gray,  a  native  of  Mendon,  Mass.,  came  to  Reading  in  1871. 
He  has  been  in  business  in  Boston,  as  dealer  in  gentlemen's  furnishing 
goods,  about  twenty-five  years. 

Luther  Hutchins  came  to  Reading  from  Boston,  1862,  where  he 
had  been  employed  for  many  years  as  constable  in  the  criminal  courts. 
He  still  holds  a  position  connected  with  the  Boston  courts.  He  was  a 
native  of  Kennebunkport,  Me. 

A.  F.  Hollis,  of  the  firm  of  Hollis  and  Gunn,  job  printers,  Boston, 
came  from  Berkshire  County  in  1840  or  1841,  and  to  Reading  in  1868. 
Previously  resided  at  Jamaica  Plain  thirteen  years. 

William  Hawes  and  Sons,  Newell  B.,  Jabez  S.,  and  William  G.,  came 
from  Holliston  in  1868,  and  purchased  the  residence  of  "Father 
Kemp."  The  "  St.  Joachim  "  store,  of  which  the  brothers  are  the  pro- 
prietors, was  started  by  them,  and  was  the  first  "  dollar  store  "  in  Bos- 
ton, and  second  in  the  country. 

E.  B.  Harrrington,  b.  in  Roxbury,  was  seven  years  in  California,  and 
has  been  in  the  leather  trade  in  Boston  twelve  years.  Removed  to 
Reading  in  1869. 

A.  G.  R.  Hale,  Esq.,  born  in  Stowe,  Mass.,  1834,  came  to  Reading  from 
Cambridge  in  1873,  and  resides  on  West  Street.  He  was  a  graduate  of 
Bridgewater  State  Normal  School,  spent  several  years  teaching  in  Del- 
aware, being  called  there  by  Gov.  Cannon  as  tutor,  served  nine  months 
in  the  Union  army  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  was  subsequently 
admitted  as  a  member  of  the  Suffolk  Bar  by  the  Supreme  Court.  The 
degree  of  LL.B.  was  conferred  upon  him  by  Harvard  University.  Law 
office  in  Boston. 

Andrew  Howes,  born  in  Chatham  Aug.  26,  1826,  went  by  sailing 
vessel  to  London  in  1843,  resided  ten  years  in  Essex  in  business  as 
ship-joiner,  came  toReading  1857,  was  with  E  H.  Ryder  &  Co.,  ship- 
chandlers,  for  ten  years,  and  has  since  been  in  the  employ  of  H.  &  G. 
W.  Lord,  net  and  twine  manufacturers.  Mr.  Howes  represents  the 
Middlesex  District,  No.  6,  in  the  Legislature  for  the  current  year,  1874. 

Ephraim  Hunt,  LL.  D.,  b.  Readfield,  Me.,  Oct.  20,  1829  ;  graduate 
of  Waterville  College ;  received  his  first  honorary  degree  before  attain- 
ing the  age  of  twenty-one  years ;  taught  in  the  South  1853-4;  became 
principal  of  the  Boston  English  High  School,  1854,  and  held  the 
position  fourteen  years.  He  was  then  appointed  principal  of  the 
Girls'  High  and  Normal  Schools,  where  he  remained  until  the  schools 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  559 

were  divided  in  1872.  Dr.  Hunt  is  the  author  of  an  "English  Litera- 
ture," a  work  of  decided  merit,  published  in  Boston  in  1871.  He  was 
one  of  the  originators  of  the  Reading  Savings  Bank,  suggested  by  him, 
of  which  he  is  president. 

C.  P.  Judd,  Esq.,  born  in  Westhampton,  Mass.,  Jan.  25,  1815,  grad- 
uated at  Yale  College,  1840,  read  law  with  Judge  Huntington ;  was  a 
teacher  in  South  Carolina  two  years  and  a  half,  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
Northampton,  1844,  came  to  Reading,  1846,  and  kept  an  office  here, 
over  Mr.  Reed's  store,  till  1860.  He  succeeded  Geo.  Minot,  and  still  acts 
as  attorney  of  the  Boston  &  Maine  Railroad.  Mr.  Minot  an4  Mr.  Judd 
married  sisters,  Misses  Elizabeth  and  Sarah  A.  Dawes,  of  Cambridge. 
They  were  daughters  of  William  Dawes,  merchant,  of  Boston,  son  of 
Judge  Thomas  Dawes,  son  of  Major  Thomas  Dawes,  who  drew  the 
plan  for  Brattle  Street  Church  in  Boston,  which  was  accepted,  instead 
of  one  drawn  by  J.  S.  Copley,  the  artist.  Major  Dawes  was  one  of 
the  leading  patriots  of  the  Revolution.  His  house  was  occupied  by 
the  British  when  they  were  in  possession  of  Boston.  When  they  evac- 
uated the  city,  they  left  an  army  blanket  in  the  house,  marked  "  G.  R.," 
which  is  now  in  possession  of  Mrs.  Minot,  who,  among  other  interest- 
ing relics,  has  a  locket  containing  a  braid  of  Gen.  Washington's  and 
John  Adams's  hair. 

Robert  Kemp,  better  known  as  "  Father  Kemp,"  was  born  in  Well- 
fleet,  Mass.,  June  6,  1821. 

He  came  to  Reading  in  1853,  and  bought  a  farm,  tried  "fancy  farm- 
ing," and  in  one  year  sold  two  hundred  and  twenty  five  barrels  of  apples, 
at  a  profit  of  exactly  eight  cents  a  barrel ;  then  took  the  "  hen  fever," 
which  culminated  one  fine  morning  when  he  counted  up  his  hundred 
chickens,  and  "  turned  "  as  suddenly,  when,  after  the  storm  of  the  fol- 
lowing night,  he  found  his  hundred  chicks  reduced  to  five. 

The  inspiration  received  from  the  songs  of  a  few  neighbors  at  his 
home  one  winter  evening,  suggested  an  "  Old  Folks'  Concert."  "  Dress 
rehearsals"  followed,  and  the  evening  of  Dec.  6,  1856,  saw  the  first 
performance  of  the  kind.  It  was  given  in  Lyceum  Hall,  Reading, 
which  was  packed  with  hearers.  Other  concerts  followed,  till  it  was 
decided  to  try  one  in  Boston.  It  took.  Tremont  Temple  was  crowded, 
and  ten  concerts  more  were  given  there  without  any  apparent  diminution 
of  the  public  enthusiasm.  A  singing  tour  to  New  York  and  Washington 
was  planned,  and  the  troupe  was  made  up  of  forty-seven  singers. 

All  the  prominent  places  on  the  route  gave  them  a  cordial  welcome 
and  crowded  houses.  In  the  New  York  Academy  of  Music  six  thou- 
sand people  listened  to  their  singing.  The  largest  hall  in  Philadelphia 


560  .  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

was  crowded  to  hear  them.  In  Washington  they  sung  patriotic  airs  to 
President  Buchanan,  and  appropriate  music  to  his  cabinet  and  the  Con- 
gressmen. 

They  visited  Mount  Vernon  and  sang,  "  Why  do  we  mourn,"  around 
the  tomb  of  Washington.  On  their  return  homeward  they  continued 
their  concerts  in  the  principal  cities  with  unvarying  success.  An  Albany 
paper,  among  other  things  in  their  favor,  said,  "  Seldom  have  our  people 
had  an  opportunity  of  hearing  church  music  rendered  with  such  an  in- 
spiring effect  and  elevating  influence." 

The  next  year,  1858,  a  seven  months'  tour  was  made  in  the  West, 
with  similar  results ;  and  subsequently  they  continued  their  work  in 
other  States.  While  in  Connecticut  they  met  Abraham  Lincoln  on  a 
political  lecturing  tour,  who  playfully  suggested  that  he  would  like  to 
swap  audiences  with  them.  After  the  rebel  war-cloud  began  to  darken 
the  Southern  horizon,  they  sang  the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner"  in  Balti- 
more to  a  crowd  of  unionists  and  incipient  rebels  mid  applauses  and 
hisses. 

In  1 86 1  they  visited  England,  and  had  rousing  concerts  in  Liverpool, 
where  they  remained  eight  days,  and  cleared  about  five  hundred  dol- 
lars. One  of  the  papers,  in  reference  to  their  singing,  said,  "The 
vocalization  was  magnificent.  Never  have  we  heard  voices  more 
beautifully  or  equally  blended.  The  effect  produced  was  truly  charm- 
ing." In  London  and  other  places  they  secured  good  audiences,  but 
their  receipts  were  only  about  enough  to  pay  expenses,  which  hastened 
their  return  home  the  same  year. 

Some  of  the  original  members  of  the  company  were  Mrs.  Sarah 
(Mark  M.)  Temple,  R.  N.  Temple,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stillman  M.  Pratt, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Brown,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  P.  Bancroft,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  F.  J.  Bancroft,  Messrs.  Brown  and  Needham  Nichols,  Henry 
Brown,  Train  Sweetser,  Henry  Temple,  Daniel  Foss  (the  "  Grandfather 
with  the  big  fiddle  "  ),  Edward  Safford,  doorkeeper ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rufus 
Pierce,  of  Stoneham ;  John  Wiley,  of  Wakefield ;  Miss  Abby  Owen, 
of  Lowell.  Mrs.  Emma  J.  Nichols,  the  popular  solo  singer,  was  long 
connected  with  the  company.  Mr.  R.  N.  Temple  played  the  flute  in 
the  orchestra  till  their  return  from  Europe.  He  afterwards  acted  as 
agent  for  the  troupe  in  their  subsequent  tours  in  this  country.  Father 
Kemp  occasionally  gives  an  Old  Folks'  Concert  at  the  present  time, 
and  Music  Hall  is  not  capacious  enough  to  receive  all  who  rush  to 
hear  him  and  his  antique  choir. 

F.  H.  Knight,  a  native  of  Lexington,  was  educated  at  Hancock 
Academy,  N.  H. ;  was  five  years  with  Jewett  &  Prescott,  Boston ;  has 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


56l 


been  in  his  present  business  since  1851,  first  with  Bates  &  Goldthwait, 
and  since  1861,  one  of  the  firm  of  Goldthwait,  Snow  &  Knight,  carpet 
dealers.  He  came  to  Reading  in  1862. 

Henry  Manley,  born  in  Bridgewater,  Aug.  31,  1841,  graduated  at  the 
Normal  School  in  that  town,  July,  1860.  Taught  in  South  Scituate 
and  Easton.  Was  corporal  in  Co.  K,  3d  Mass.  Vols.,  at  Newbern, 
N.  C,  and  vicinity,  nine  months  in  1862-3.  In  1864  he  went,  via  Rio 
Janeiro,  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  where  he  carried  on  the  business 
of  photography  for  nearly  two  years.  Since  February,  1869,  he  has 
been  employed  as  assistant  engineer  of  the  city  of  Boston,  and  now 
has  charge  of  the  construction  and  repairs  of  the  bridges  within  the 
city  limits. 

Wm.  H.  Nash,  born  in  Wakefield,  Dec.  17,  1827,  soon  removed  to 
Salem,  and  received  his  education  in  the  city  schools.  Came  to  Read- 
ing, 1843.  Has  done  business  in  Boston  several  years. 

Jas.  D.  Norris  was  in  the  gents'  furnishing  trade  here  from  1870  to 
1873,  first  on  Main,  and  then  on  Haven  Street,  Simes's  Block.  He 
sold  his  business  here  to  Francis  Bartley  in  1873,  and  is  now  engaged 
with  Lucius  Turner  and  Milton  D.  Kingman,  in  Boston,  as  jobbers  and 
manufacturers  in  the  same  business. 

S.  D.  Niles,  born  in  Orford,  N.  H.,  Oct.  22,  1829,  was  employed 
in  Atlanta,  Ga.,  seven  years  in  teaching,  and  subsequently  several 
years  in  the  wholesale  produce  business.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the 
rebellion,  misjudging  as  to  the  extent  to  which  the  rebels  would  carry 
their  extreme  measures,  he  was  shut  in,  like  many  others  of  Northern 
sentiment  and  sympathies,  to  take  his  chances  under  rebel  rule.  In 
order  to  escape  service  in  their  army,  he  purchased  a  mill  and  be- 
came a  miller  to  take  advantage  of  the  exemption  that  that  afforded 
from  military  service.  When  that,  by  change  of  law,  would  no  longer 
protect  him,  he  purchased  a  newspaper  office,  and  became  an  editor, 
which  for  a  time  secured  him  from  being  drafted.  When  Gen.  Sher- 
man took  Atlanta,  he  established  his  head-quarters  upon  Mr.  Niles's 
premises.  Mr.  Niles  had  changed  his  property  as  far  as  he  was  able 
into  gold,  which  was  secretly  buried  in  his  garden.  It  so  happened 
that  the  tent  of  Gen.  Sherman  was  erected  directly  over  it.  During 
the  continuance  of  the  firing  Mrs.  Niles  sometimes  abandoned  their 
house  and  sought  protection  from  the  flying  balls  among  the  large  trees 
near  by.  Mr.  Niles  became  well  acquainted  with  Gen.  Sherman  and 
his  staff,  among  whom  was  Gen.  O.  O  Howard.  The  firing  of  cannon 
was  heard  one  night  in  the  far  distance,  and  about  two  o'clock  in  the 
morning  Gen.  Sherman  sent  a  messenger  requesting  the  attendance  of 


562  GENEALOGICAL    HISTOKY 

Mr.  Niles  He  referred  to  the  firing,  and  inquired  of  Mr.  Niles  his 
opinion  as  to  where  it  was.  The  answer  was  satisfactory,  and  the  Gen- 
eral replied  that  it  relieved  him  of  a  burden  of  anxiety. 

Before  Gen.  Sherman  left  Atlanta  on  his  march  to  the  sea,  he  gave 
Mr.  Niles  and  family  a  pass  that  enabled  them  to  escape  from  their 
captivity ;  and  after  passing  through  many  perils,  they  reached  their 
friends  in  this  vicinity.  Mr.  Niles  purchased  his  present  residence  in 
March,  1865,  and  has  since  been  variously  employed  in  Boston. 

Charles  H.  Nowell,  pay-master  of  the  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad 
corporation,  removed  to  Reading,  March,  1872.  He  was  born  in 
Lowell,  October,  1843,  and  graduated  at  the  high  school  in  that  city. 

S.  G.  B.  Pearson,  native  of  Wilmington,  was  a  dealer  in  produce 
and  provisions  in  Lawrence  for  eight  years.  Has  been  in  Boston  since 
1866,  dealing  in  hides.  Came  to  Reading  in  1869. 

William  S.  Pease,  born  in  Shrewsbury,  Mass.,  1830 ;  graduate  of 
Leicester  Academy,  1845  ;  has  been  variously  employed  as  agent  in 
New  York  and  Boston.  Removed  to  Reading,  1866. 

William  Proctor,  born  Oct.  5,  1826,  in  Deptford,  Kent  County,  Eng- 
land,—  the  place  where  Peter  the  Great  learned  ship-building.  Mr. 
Proctor  served  his  apprenticeship  in  London  at  boot  and  shoe  making, 
was  in  Nova  Scotia  three  years,  came  to  Boston,  1845,  to  Reading, 
1851.  Before  coming  to  this  country  he  served  as  non-commissioned 
officer  in  the  rifle  brigade,  belonging  to  a  regiment  which  went  through 
the  Crimean  war,  and  had  just  returned  to  England  from  the  Ashantee 
was.  He  was  naturalized  in  1849,  and  during  our  war  of  the  rebellion 
was  on  every  town  committee  here  having  in  charge  the  supplying  of 
men  for  service.  He  was  representative  from  this  district  in  the  Legis- 
lature of  1866.  He  has  been  prominently  engaged  in  promoting  public 
improvements  and  the  building  of  dwelling-houses  in  this  town.  He 
was  one  of  the  originators  of  the  Reading  Savings  Bank,  of  which  he 
has  always  been  a  trustee  ;  and  also  of  the  public  library,  of  which  he 
is  likewise  a  trustee. 

Dr.  A.  C.  Smith,  a  native  of  Unity,  N.  H.,  graduate  of  Baltimore 
Med.  College,  attended  medical  lectures  at  Dartmouth,  1838-9,  and 
was  in  practice  in  Haverhill  four  years.  Losing  faith  in  drugs,  he 
gave  up  his  profession  and  became  a  teacher  in  Salem.  Receiving  an 
invitation  from  Rev.  Dr.  Stearns  and  others  in  1845,  he  accepted  the 
appointment  of  master  of  the  Webster  School  in  Cambridge,' which  he 
retained  nearly  thirty  years.  He  had  under  his  superintendence  from 
six  hundred  to  seven  hundred  pupils,  and  twelve  assistant  teachers. 
He  removed  to  Reading  in  1873,  having  formerly  resided  here  a  few 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


563 


years.     He  is  still  employed  as  teacher  of  penmanship  in  the  Cam- 
bridge schools. 

Charles  D.  Thomas,  born  in  Williamstown,  Mass.,  Nov.  16,  1831 ; 
received  education  at  Mills'  High  School,  and  at  Williston  Seminary, 
Easthampton,  Mass. ;  was  engaged  in  1857  in  making  a  preliminary 
survey  of  Pacific  Railroad,  and  in  1858,  with  Mr.  Haupt,  on  the  Troy 
and  Boston  Railroad ;  was  assistant  storekeeper  in  the  Boston  Custom 
House  from  1861  to  1870,  when,  upon  the  decease  of  E.  M.  Brown, 
storekeeper,  he  was  promoted  to  the  vacancy,  which  position  he  still 
holds.  He  came  to  Reading  in  1861  with  Mr.  Brown,  who  was  a  resi- 
dent here  for  nearly  ten  years.  Mr.  Brown  was  a  graduate  of  Williams 
College  in  1843,  and  among  other  important  positions  held  by  him,  was 
assistant  sergeant-at-arms  in  the  State  House  in  1859-60-61,  and  was 
clerk  of  the  State  Valuation  during  a  portion  of  the  time.  He  was  for 
several  years  a  member  of  the  Republican  State  Committee.  He  was 
appointed  storekeeper  in  the  Custom  House  1861.  He  was  a  man 
widely  known  and  much  respected. 

G.  M.  Wethern,  dealer  in  millinery  goods,  has  a  store  in  Boston ; 
came  to  Reading  1872,  and  now  occupies  the  house  built  by  himself 
on  Prospect  Street. 

Col.  Carroll  D.  Wright,  born  in  Dunbarton,  N.  H.,  July  25,  1840 ; 
removed  to  Reading  in  1856  ;  received  his  education  in  Reading  High 
School  and  in  academies  at  Washington,  and  Alstead,  N.  H.,  and  Ches- 
ter, Vt.,  and  engaged  in  teaching ;  read  law  with  Hon.  W.  P.  Wheeler, 
of  Keene,  and  afterwards  in  Boston  with  T.  Willey,  Esq.  In  August, 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  i4th  Regiment  N.  H.  Volunteers,  and  was  commis- 
sioned lieutenant  by  Gov.  Berry ;  was  commissary  of  brigade  at  Pooles- 
ville,  Md. ;  officer  in  charge  of  central  prison,  and  adjutant  to  provost- 
marshal,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  aid-de-camp  to  Gen.  Martindale,  military 
governor  of  department  of  Washington,  and  there  had  charge  of  all 
guards  at  bridges,  ferries,  etc.,  in  and  around  Washington.  In  October, 
1863,  was  appointed  adjutant  of  his  regiment,  and  was  employed  as 
assistant  adjutant  general  in  district  of  Carrollton,  La.,  and  of  the  ist 
brigade,  2d  division  of  the  igth  corps,  in  Louisiana,  and  during  Sher- 
man's campaign  in  the  Shenandoah  in  the  autumn  of  1864,  when  he  was 
commissioned  colonel.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Keene,  N,  H., 
October,  1865  ;  and  in  August,  1867,  to  practise  in  the  courts  of  Massa- 
chusetts, and  of  the  United  States.  He  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate 
from  the  Middlesex  Sixth  District  in  1871,  and  again  in  1872.  As 
chairman  of  the  Senate  Committee  on  Military  Affairs,  he  remodelled 
the  militia  system  of  the  State,  which  was  adopted  by  the  Legislature. 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

In  1873,  Col.  Wright  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Washburn  chief  of  the 
Bureau  of  Statistics  of  Labor.  His  first  official  report  to  the  Legisla- 
ture of  1874  is  a  work  that  gives  evidence  of  extensive  research,  and 
a  full  comprehension  of  the  duties  involved  in  the  position  he  holds. 

Col.  Wright  has  attained  a  deserved  reputation  as  a  lecturer.  He 
has  thoughts,  and  has  the  happy  faculty  of  presenting  them  in  an  at- 
tractive manner. 

George  E.  Abbott,  architect,  has  an  office  in  Pemberton  Square. 

E.  S.  Batchelder,  salesman,  with  Rogers  &  Co.,  came  from  Exeter, 
N.  H. ;  has  resided  in  Reading  several  years. 

Osgood   Eaton,  tuner,  has  been  for  several  years  with  Mason  & 
Hamlin,  organ  manufacturers. 
^-    Luther  Elliott,  broker,  has  resided  here  several  years. 

John  C.  Gleason,  bookkeeper  with  F.  Harnden. 

Dudley  F.  Hunt,  of  the  firm  of  F.  W.  Hunt  &  Co.,  came  to  Reading 
in  1873. 

Edmund  A.  Hyde,  firm  of  Cutter,  Hyde  &  Co.,  fancy  goods. and 
toys,  was  a  native  of  Bangor,  Me. ;  has  been  in  Boston  about  eighteen 
years ;  came  to  Reading  1870. 

Wm.  M.  Home,  iron  dealer,  came  to  Reading  in  1873. 

Charles  H.  Lang,  Jr.,  clerk,  with  the  Wakefield  Rattan  Co. 

J.  Mitchell,  Jr.,  bookkeeper,  with  Rogers  &  Co.,  born  in  Wellfleet ; 
came  to  Boston  about  fifteen  years  since,  and  to  Reading  in  1871. 

Walter  H.  Perkins,  clerk,  with  H.  C.  Thacher  &  Co. 

Harley  Prentiss  is  employed  as  chief  clerk  in  the  freight  department 
of  the  Fitchburg  Railroad  Co. 

Geo.  A.  Parker  is  bookkeeper,  Clark  &  Co.,  on  India  Street. 

Galen  A.  Parker,  bookkeeper  with  Kelham,  Fitz  &  Co. 

O.  A.  Ruggles,  salesman,  with  Calder  &  Otis. 

Henry  Robinson,  firm  of  E.  Thompson  &  Co. 

Wm.  S.  Richardson,  clerk,  with  Geo.  P.  Banchor. 

Frank  M.  Smith,  clerk,  with  Frye,  Phipps  &  Co.,  born  in  Lowell  ; 
has  been  eight  years  in  Boston ;  came  to  Reading  in  1869. 

Daniel  Stockwell,  general  insurance  business,  came  to  Reading  in 
1870. 

Wm.  M.  Weston,  broker,  dealer  in  watches,  jewelry,  etc.,  has  long 
resided  in  Reading. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Dr.  F.  F.  Brown  was  born  in  Sudbury  in  1834 ;  graduate  of  Amherst 
College,  1855;  teacher  three  years ;  studied  medicine  at  Harvard  and 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


565 


at  Berkshire  Medical  Institution ;  was  assistant  surgeon  in  the  48th 
Massachusetts  Regiment  in  1862-3  >  came  to  Reading  in  April,  1864. 

Dr.  E.  G.  Barton,  surgeon  dentist,  a  native  of  Moriah  Centre,  N.  Y., 
graduate  of  the  Boston  College  of  Dental  Surgery ;  came  to  Reading 
in  1870. 

Dr.  Sarah  A.  Colby,  born  in  Sanbornton,  N.  H. ;  graduate  of  Phil- 
adelphia Medical  College,  1861 ;  was  for  several  years  in  general  prac- 
tice in  Manchester,  N.  H. ;  removed  to  Reading  Sept.  30,  1869 ; 
and  opened  an  office  in  Boston,  to  which  her  present  practice  is  con- 
fined. 

Dr.  J.  H.  Hanafordwas  born  in  New  Hampton,  N.  H.,  in  1819.  He 
pursued  his  preparatory  studies  at  the  institute  in  that  town,  and  in  Pern 
broke,  N.  H. ;  graduated  in  New  York  city ;  practised  medicine  at  Nan- 
tucket  six  years ;  at  Beverly,  seven ;  at  Reading,  ten.  He  has  been 
employed  as  editor  and  correspondent  of  several  newspapers  and  literary 
publications  ;  and  is  the  author  of  "  Ocean  Melodies,"  and  "  Lights  and 
Shadows  of  Sailor  Life,"  published  in  Boston.  Has  taught  in  schools 
of  all  classes.  His  wife,  Rev.  Phebe  A.  Hanaford,  a  relative  of  Dr. 
Franklin,  was  born  at  Nantucket  in  1829,  and  was  married  at  the  age 
of  17.  She  has  been  editress  of  "Ladies  Repository,"  and  "Myrtle," 
published  in  Boston  ;  and  employed  also  as  teacher.  She  is  more  ex- 
tensively known  as  a  preacher.  She  was  settled  first,  at  Hingham; 
then  at  Waltham  ;  afterwards  at  New  Haven  ;  now  at  Jersey  City.  Her 
published  works  are,  "The  Captive  Boy,"  "  The  Young  Captain,"  "Our 
Martyred  President,"  "Life  of  Abraham  Lincoln,"  "Frank  Nelson," 
"Field,  Gunboat,  Hospital,  and  Prison,"  "The  Soldier's  Daughter," 
"The  Life  of  George  Peabody,"  "From  Shore  to  Shore,"  "The  Life 
and  Writings  of  Charles  Dickens." 

Howard  A.  Hanaford,  son  of  Dr.  J.  H.  and  Rev.  P.  A.,  graduate  of 
Tufts  College,  preaches  at  Wellfleet,  Mass. 

Dr.  Samuel  H.  Elliott,  surgeon  dentist,  born  in  Haverhill,  Mass.  ; 
resided  in  Lowell  fifteen  years;  followed  his  profession  in  Lawrence 
eleven  years ;  in  Haverhill,  twelve  ;  removed  to  Reading  in  November^ 
1869.  Retired  from  practice. 

Dr.  F.  B.  Kimball,  born  in  Bridgeton,  Me.,  March  27, 1829  ;  graduated 
at  Harvard  Medical  College  1858  ;  practised  in  Kennebunk  three  years ; 
was  three  years  with  3d  N.  H.  Reg.  Vols.,  and  as  surgeon  had  charge 
of  hospital  six  months  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  and  subsequently  of  Marine 
Hospital  at  Wilmington,  N.  C.  He  was  at  the  taking  of  Morris  Island  ; 
at  the  bombarding  of  Fort  Sumter,  and  the  attacks  on  Battery  Wag- 
ner, and  at  the  taking  of  Fort  Fisher,  where  the  carnage  compelled 


566 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


twenty-four  hours  unremitting  labor  at  the  operating  table.     After  the 
war  he  practised  in  Manchester,  N.  H. 

In  September,  1869, he  came  to  Reading,  where  he  still  resides;  and, 
in  addition  to  the  usual  duties  of  his  profession,  occupies  the  chair  of 
Instructor  of  Histology  in  the  Medical  Department  of  Boston  Uni- 
versity. 

YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  BUSINESS. 

Barrows  &  Foote  (Morton,  son  of  Rev.  Dr.  Barrows,  and  Perley,  son 
of  O.  Foote,  Esq.,  minors)  have  a  printing-press  in  Reading,  and  fur- 
nish bill-heads,  business  cards,  etc.,  doing  their  work  in  a  very  neat 
manner. 


[The  Barrows  and  Barrus  families  in  this  country  are  nearly  all  de- 
scended from  John  Barrow,  of  Plymouth,  in  1665-92.  He  had  Robert, 
who  remained  in  Plymouth,  and  Benajah,  Joshua,  and  Ebenezer,  who 
went  to  Attleboro' ;  and  Deborah,  who  m.  1687,  Archippus  Fuller,  of 
Plympton,  and  Mary,  who  m.  1698,  John  Wormall,  of  Duxbury. 

Robert  had  John,  a  portion  of  whose  descendants  lived  in  Roches- 
ter ;  Capt.  George,  b.  1670,  ancestor  of  the  Plympton  families;  Dea. 
Samuel,  of  the  Middleboro'  branch;  Elisha,  of  Rochester;  Robert 
and  Thomas,  of  the  Mansfield,  Conn.,  line. 

Capt.  George  had  Samuel,  b.  1700,  who  had  Noah,  b.  1727,  and 
Samuel,  b.  1733. 

Noah  had  William,  father  of  Rev.  Dr.  Barrows,  of  Reading ;  Samuel 
had  Lazarus,  who  had  Levi,  father  of  Hiram  Barrus,  of  Reading.] 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING, 


CHAPTER    XIII. 


BURIAL-GROUNDS. 

FOR  many  years  after  the  first  settlement  of  the  town,  the  "  Com- 
mon," so  called,  in  the  First  Parish,  extended  northerly  from  its  present 
limits  to  the  "  Great  Pond,"  and  included  all  that  territory  that  lies 
west  of  Main  Street,  and  between  what  is  now  Church  Street  and  said 
pond,  as  far  west  as  the  homestead  of  the  late  Col.  James  Hartshorn. 
That  portion  of  this  territory  which  was  recently  occupied  by  the  town 
house  and  engine  house,  and  including  the  town-house  lot,  and  perhaps 
a  pait  of  the  adjoining  blacksmith's  shop  lot,  was  the  earliest  burying- 
place  of  old  Reading.  Here,  for  about  fifty  years,  was  the  only  place 
of  interment  for  the  fathers  and  mothers  of  the  first  generation  of  set- 
tlers, with  the  children  who  early  died. 

Many  of  these  first  graves,  it  is  presumed,  were  without  monuments, 
and  as  the  ground  was  for  a  long  time  unfenced,  many  of  the  grave- 
stones, earliest  erected,  were  broken  down  and  destroyed.  The  land 
around  the  graves  was  subsequently  sold,  the  purchaser  being  bounded 
by  the  graves.  In  process  of  time,  therefore,  the  portion  of  land 
allowed  as  grave-yard  was  reduced  to  very  contracted  dimensions,  and 
much  of  the  land  occupied  by  the  dust  of  our  ancestors  was  disturbed 
by  the  plough  of  the  agriculturist,  and  yielded  a  crop  that  made  literal 
the  figurative  language  of  Scripture,  that  "  all  flesh  is  grass." 

Upon  the  erection  of  the  town-house,  in  1834,  the  town  of  South 
Reading  purchased  what  was  the  town-house  lot,  or  so  much  thereof  as 
had  not  been  sold,  took  up  the  old  gravestones,  many  of  which  were 
broken  and  defaced,  and  placed  them  in  a  continuous  row  on  the  east- 
erly side  of  the  lot ;  and,  if  the  particular  dust  which  they  memorialized 
did  not  lye  beneath  them,  it  is  certainly  true  that  the  stones  did  lie  above 
them. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  more  noticeable  inscriptions  upon 
these  old  gravestones :  — 

"  Memento  te  esse  mortalem." 

"  Fugit  Hora.     Vive  memor  laethi.     Fugit  hora. 

"C.  yezd. 


568 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


"  Here  lyes  the  body  of  Capt.  Jonathan  Poole,  who  deceased  in  the  44th  year  of  his 
age,  1678. 

"  Friends  sure  would  prove  too  far  unkind, 
If,  out  of  sight,  they  leave  him  out  of  mind  ; 
And  now»he  lyes,  transform'd  to  native  dust, 
In  earth's  cold  womb,  as  other  mortals  must. 
It 's  strange  his  matchless  worth  intomb'd  should  lye, 
Or  that  his  fame  should  in  oblivion  dye." 

NOTE.  —  This  stone  contains  the  oldest  date  and  the  most  artistic  and  elaborate 
work  of  any  of  the  old  monuments  in  this  yard,  representing,  in  relief,  swords,  hour- 
glass, coffin,  spade,  pickaxe,  cross-bones,  etc. 

"  Memento  te  esse  mortalem. 
"  Fugit  hora.     Vive  memor  laethi.     Fugit  hora. 

"  Here  lyes  the  body  of  John  Person,  Senor,  aged  64  years.  Deceased  April  17, 
1679."' 

"  Memento  mori.     Fugit  hora. 

"  Here  lyeth  within  this  arched  place  the  body  of  Deacon  Thomas  Parker,  who 
was  won  of  the  foundation  of  the  church,  who  dyed  the  I2th  of  August,  1683,  aged 
about  74." 

In  1688-9,  the  town  erected  its  second  church,  and  located  it  a  few 
rods  northwest  of  the  present  Orthodox  church  in  Wakefield ;  and 
around  this  church,  soon  after  its  erection,  in  accordance  with  ancient 
custom,  that  has  made  <r/zz//r/$-yards  and  ^nzw-yards  synonymous  terms, 
our  fathers  began  to  inter  their  dead,  and  thus  and  here  commenced 
their  second  burial-ground.  This  ground  has  been  enlarged  from  time 
to  time  considerably  beyond  its  early  limits.  For  more  than  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  years,  it  has  been  the  chief  place  of  sepulture  for  what  is 
now  the  town  of  Wakefield.  Here  rest  the  ashes  of  the  greater  por- 
tion of  its  former  inhabitants.  Consequently  it  possesses  a  most 
lively  interest,  as  the  place  where  many  a  noble,  many  a  beautiful, 
and  many  a  loved  form  has  been  enshrined. 

We  shall,  therefore,  be  excused  for  inserting  a  considerable  number 
of  its  inscriptions.  •  The  earliest  date  upon  any  stone  in  this  yard,  is 
in  memory  of  Lieut.  Thomas  Bancroft,  aged  69,  who  deceased  Aug. 
19,  1691. 

The  first  three  ministers  of  the  first  parish  were,  it  is  believed,  buried 
away  from  Reading ;  the  first  at  Watertown,  the  other  two  at  Boston, 
among  their  relatives. 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Jonathan  Pierpont,  late  pastor  of  the  church  of  Christ,  in  Redding, 
for  the  space  of  twenty  years,  Aged  44  years ;  who  departed  this  life  June  2,  1709. 
"A  fruitful  Christian  and  pastor,  who 
Did  good  to  all,  and  lov'd  all  good  to  do ; 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  569 

A  tender  husband  and  a  parent  kind, 

A  faithful  friend,  which  who,  Oh  who  can  find  ! 

A  preacher  that  a  bright  example  gave 

Of  rules  he  preach'd,  the  souls  of  men  to  save ;  — 

A  Pierpont,  all  of  this,  here  leaves  his  dust, 

And  waits  the  resurrection  of  the  just." 

"  Here  lyes  interr'd  ye  body  of  ye  Rev.  Richard  Brown,  ordained  Pastor  of  ye  Is* 
church  in  Reding,  June  25,  1712.  His  character  bespeaks  him  faithful  in  his  preach- 
ing, impartial  in  his  discipline,  and  exemplary  in  his  conversation ;  a  man  greatly 
beloved  in  his  life,  and  much  lamented  at  his  death,  which  was  Oct  20,  1 732,  Aged 
57  years." 

"  In  this  Sepulchre  is  reposited  the  mortal  part  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  William  Hobby,  A.M., 
late  Pastor  (the  sixth  in  the  order  of  succession)  of  the  first  church  in  the  town  of 
Reading,  —  learned,  vigilant,  and  faithful;  he  was  a  preacher  of  the  word  of  God, 
deservedly  commended  for  his  pure  evangelical  doctrine,  replenished  with  erudition 
and  piety,  together  with  solid  judgment  and  eloquence,  being  at  length  worn  out  with 
studies  and  labors,  and  most  acute  pains  of  long  continuance,  calmly  resigning  to  the 
will  of  his  Almighty  Father,  and  earnestly  aspiring  after  the  Heavenly  Habitation  and 
Rest,  he  breathed  out  his  soul  into  the  hands  of  his  Savior,  June  18,  Anno  Christi 
1765,  ^EtaL  58  years.  He  left,  to  profit  his  bereaved  flock,  a  written  monument  of 
sage  advice,  in  which,  though  dead,  he  speaks,  in  solemn  strains." 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Rev.  Caleb  Prentiss,  late  Pastor  of  the  first  church  in 
this  town,  who  passed  into  the  world  of  spirits,  Feb.  7,  1803,  in  the  57*  year  of  his 
age,  and  34th  of  his  ministry.  Faith,  piety,  and  benevolence,  with  a  kindred  assem- 
blage of  Christian  graces  and  moral  virtues,  adorned  his  public  and  private  character, 
endeared  his  memory  to  a  bereaved  family,  a  mourning  flock,  his  brethren  in  office, 
and  all  acquainted  with  his  merits. 

"  He  tried  each  art,  reprov'd  each  dull  delay, 
Allur'd  to  brighter  worlds  and  led  the  way  ; 
Though  gone,  he  is  not  dead,  —  no  good  man  dies,  — 
But  like  the  day-star,  only  sets  to  rise." 

"  Here  lyes  ye  body  of  Major  Jeremiah  Sweyen,  Esq.,  who  departed  this  life  Aug. 
13,  1710,  in  ye  6o.th  year  of  his  age. 

" '  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed.' " 

"  Here  lyes  interred  ye  remains  of  Doct.  Thomas  Sweyn,  who  departed  this  life 
Apl.  22,  1759,  aged  53  years. 

"An  useful,  beloved  physician,  —  an  extensive  blessing  in  life,  and  much  lamented 
in  death." 

"In  memory  of  Doct.  Thomas  Swain,  who  departed  this  life  Oct  26,  1780,  Aged 
30  years. 

".Blessed  with  a  penetrating  genius,  improved  by  application,  he  was  a  skilful  and 
successful  Physician,  highly  esteemed  and  beloved, 
72 


570 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


"  Death,  fearing  the  loss  of  his  empire  over  the  children  of  men,  pointed  a  fatal  dart, 
cut  down  this  rising  Genius,  secured  his  own  dominions  and  disappointed  the  hopes  of 
many." 

"Here  rests  what  was  mortal  of  Lieut  John  Pool,  who  deceased  Nov.  22,  1721, 

Aged  56. 

"An  humble  Christian,  useful  and  sincere, 

Much  given  to  hospitality,  lies  here. 

"  Rich  in  alms  to  the  poor,  and  in  distress  the  widow's  friend,  father  of  the  father- 
less, a  loving  husband  and  a  parent  kind ;  a  neighbor  good  and  a  most  useful  friend. 

"  All  this  was  he,  and  more,  but  now  at  rest, 
The  memory  of  the  righteous  man  is  blest" 

"  Here  lyes  ye  body  of  Mrs.  Abigail  Bancroft,  wife  of  Mr.  Raham  Bancroft,  who 
died  Mar.  26,  1728,  Aged  40. 

"  A  prudent,  pleasant  wife  was  she, 
An  helpmate  like  the  laboring  bee, 
Kind  parent ;  —  virtue's  graces  tell, 
That  she  in  those  did  most  excel ; 
Full  ripe  for  heaven,  assur'd  of  bliss, 
Long'd  to  depart  to  happiness. 
If  men  forget  to  speak  her  worth, 
This  stone  to  ages  sets  it  forth." 

"  Here  lyes  buried  ye  body  of  Mrs.  Mary  Smith,  wife  to  Mr.  Samuel  Smith,  who 
died  Feb.  3,  1760,  in  ye  26th  year  of  her  age. 

"  Nipt  in  the  beauteous  bloom  of  life  she  lies, 
A  faded  flower,  bedew'd  by  numerous  eyes  ; 
Oh  !  could  our  tears  revive  so  fair  a  flower, 
Sure  every  eye  would  spring  the  quick'ning  shower." 

"  Here  lies  buried  the  body  of  David  Green,  Esq.,  who,  as  a  Christian,  was  an  orna- 
ment to  his  profession.  He  was  improved  in  his  day ;  faithful  to  his  trust ;  and  by 
his  prudence  and  assiduity  acquired  the  approbation  and  esteem  of  his  acquaintance, 
and  in  a  composed  frame  resigned  his  spirit  on  the  I7th  July,  1781,  in  his  67th  year." 

"Mrs.  Rebekah  Evans,  widow  of  Thomas  Evans,  born  Aug.  27,  1758;  married 
Jan.  4,  1776  ;  died  of  Palsy  Apl.  22, 1835  ;  Aged  77  years. 

"  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  lives, 
All  that  I  need  his  goodness  gives  ; 
I  'm  calm  and  happy,  blessed  Lord  ! 
My  faith  unshaken  in  thy  word  ; 
In  praise  I  spend  my  parting  breath, 
And  hail  this  joyful  hour  of  death ; 
I  've  waited  long  to  hear  thy  call, 
My  Father,  Friend,  my  God  of  all  I 
I  go  to  rest  and  bliss  above, 
To  sing  my  great  Redeemer's  love." 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  571 

"  In  memory  of  Joseph  Walton,  sonjof  Lieut  Timothy  Walton,  who  was  drowned 
in  Lynn,  Sept.  17,  1792,  in  his  2jd  year. 

"  Death,  thou  hast  conquer'd  me, 

I,  by  thy  dart,  am  slain, 
But  Christ  has  conquer'd  thee, 
I  shall  rise  again." 

"  In  memory  of  Mr.  Edmund  Eaton,  who  lost  his  life  by  the  fall  of  the  Swing 
Bridge  in  Charlestown,  Jany  i,  1800,  Aged  33. 

"  Death  often  strikes  unseen  and  unexpected.  Frail  is  man.  Scarce  were  the  wishes 
of  the  New  Year's  morn  exchanged,  when  fell  the  tender  husband,  brother,  son.  And 
great,  as  sudden,  was  the  mourners'  grief." 

"  In  memory  of  Deacon  Ebenezer  jHopkins,  who  -died  Feb.  21,  1796,  Aged  75 
years. 

"  He  was  strong  in  the  doctrine  of  free  unmerited  grace,  and  exhibited  to  the  world 
that  he  had  been  with  Jesus  ;  and  died  with  a  firm  hope  of  a  glorious  immortality. 

"  The  greatest  purity 
Attain'd  on  earth,  I  would  deny, 
Nor  good  confess  in  name  or  thing,  — 
But  Christ  my  Lord,  my  life,  my  King." 

"In  memory  of  Sophia  Prentiss,  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Caleb  &  Mrs.  Pamela 
Prentiss,  who  died  Oct  12,  Act  25. 

"  Taste,  Fancy,  Virtue,  Piety,  combined, 
Enlarg'd,  improv'd  her  heaven  born  mind. 
To  pale  disease  she  gave  her  early  breath, 
But  courted  more  tha.nffar'<f  the  approach  of  death." 

In  1846,  the  town  burial-ground  having  become  so  fully  occupied 
that  the  selection  of  eligible  spots  for  single  burials  was  difficult,  and 
the  securing  of  sufficient  room  therein  for  family  lots  wholly  impracti- 
cable ;  and  as  there  were  no  suitable  adjacent  lands  obtainable  with 
which  to  enlarge  it,  sundry  individuals,  perceiving  the  necessity  for  a 
new  place  of  sepulture,  and  appreciating  the  desirableness  and  value  of 
family  burial  lots,  took  measures  for  the  formation  of  a  private  ceme- 
tery company,  and  became  organized  and  incorporated  under  the  Gen- 
eral Laws  by  the  name  of  the  "  Proprietors  of  the  Lake  Side  Ceme- 
tery." This  organization  was  effected  in  1846.  A  tract  of  fourteen 
acres  of  land  on  the  westerly  side  of  the  lake  and  bordering  thereon, 
had  been  previously  secured,  at  a  cost  of  $  1,400.  The  westerly  part 
of  this  tract,  reserving  a  street  over  the  same,  was  soon  after  sold  by 
the  company  for  $1,200,  and  the  balance,  about  seven  acres,  was  en- 
closed and  laid  out  into  avenues,  paths,  lots,  and  bowers,  from  a  design 
furnished  by  Chas.  H.  Hill,  Esq  ,  now  of  Wakefield. 


572 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


The  lots,  about  four  hundred  in  number,  were  appraised  at  an  aver- 
age price  of  five  dollars  each,  and  on  Oct.  15,  1846,  the  choice  of 
these  lots  was  sold  at  public  auction,  and  about  one  hundred  of  them 
were  taken. 

On  the  same  day  of  the  sale  the  grounds  were  consecrated  as  a  cem- 
etery, by  public  exercises,  in  a  bower  of  grape-vines,  on  the  premises, 
consisting  of  a  very  able  and  pertinent  address  by  Rev.  Caleb  Stetson, 
then  of  Medford,  the  singing  of  the  following  original  hymns  and  other 
appropriate  services  by  the  resident  clergy. 

"  Together  we  have  gathered  now, 

Upon  the  fair  Lake  Side,  — 
Old  men  and  gray,  with  wrinkled  brow, 

And  youthful  forms  of  pride,  — 
We  've  come  with  pleasing  thoughts  tho'  grave, 

This  spot  to  consecrate, 
To  bid  the  flowers  their  perfumes  wave 

Above  death's  iron  gate  ! 

"  And  here  we  '11  build  for  those  we  love, 

A  tomb  beneath  the  trees ; 
That  nature's  song  may  swell  above, 

In  sweetest  melodies ;  — 
For  friends  and  for  ourselves  a  tomb, 

When  we  are  earth's  no  more, 
When  are  exchang'd  its  joys  and  gloom, 

For  brighter  —  fadeless  shore. 

"  And  here,  as  oft  in  coming  years,  * 

Our  children's  children  tread, 
Glad  thoughts  will  rise  to  quell  their  fears, 

Among  the  silent  dead. 
Oh !  hallowed  spot !    A  cherished  grave 

Beneath  the  flowery  sod  ! 
The  form  shall  rest  by  sparkling  wave, 

The  spirit  with  its  God  ! " 


"  When  all  life's  cares  with  us  are  gone, 
And  we  have  reach'd  our  journey's  bourne, 
With  woes  distress'd,  with  age  oppress'd, 
And  longing  for  a  place  of  rest ; 
How  sweet  't  will  be  to  find  a  home, 
Where  we  can  lay  the  weary  frame, 
Mid  fragrant  flowers  and  vine-wrought  bowers, 
On  this  dear  Lake  Side  seat  of  ours. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  573 

M  And  know  that  we  've  secured  a  bed 
.   In  this  fair  garden  of  the  dead, 

Where  friends  will  love  to  come  and  rove, 

And  weep  and  hope  and  look  above ; 

Where  roses  will  embalm  the  air, 

And  warbling  birds  their  requiems  bear, 

And  shady  trees,  with  sighing  breeze, 

And  rippling  waves  our  dirges  raise. 

"  Oh  !  sacred  spot !  may  angels  tread 
These  mansions  of  the  coming  dead  ; 
Or,  hov'ring  o'er  this  field  and  shore, 
Illume  these  pathways  evermore  ; 
Be  ever  ready,  on  their  wings, 
Rising  above  all  earthly  things, 
To  bear  aloft  to  heavenly  day 
The  souls,  who  here  have  dropp'd  their  clay." 

Additional  territory  has  been  purchased  and  reclaimed,  from  time  to 
time,  for  enlarging  the  limits  of  the  grounds,  on  which  some  one  hun- 
dred additional  lots  have  been  laid  out,  making  the  present  number  of 
lots  five  hundred,  of  which  nearly  four  hundred  have  been  sold. 

A  plan  of  the  cemetery  lands,  drawn  by  C.  W.  Eaton,  Esq.,  assisted 
by  Mr.  B.  F.  Abbott,  the  efficient  superintendent  of  the  cemetery,  who 
has  always  taken  a  lively  and  intelligent  interest  in  its  improvement, 
has  been  lithographed. 

A  still  further  addition  of  adjacent  land  has  been  secured  for  future 
enlargement  of  the  cemetery.  The  present  price  of  lots  to  residents  is 
twenty-five  dollars  each.  Any  person,  owning  a  lot,  may  become  a 
member  of  the  corporation  by  signing  the  by-laws. 

This  cemetery  has  been  planted  with  trees,  shrubbery,  and  flowers  ; 
many  of  its  lots  have  been  enclosed  with  iron  fences,  and  adorned  with 
marble  and  granite  monuments,  mausoleums,  etc.,  and  with  its  imposing 
water  scenery,  is  already  a  most  beautiful,  romantic,  and  interesting 
spot 

The  officers  of  the  corporation  at  present,  are  :  —  President,  Edward 
Mansfield  ;  secretary,  B.  F.  Abbott,  and  trustees,  ex  qffirio  ;  treasurer, 
Edward  Mansfield  ;  trustees,  Samuel  Kingman,  Hiram  Eaton,  E.  S. 
Upham,  Oliver  Walton,  2d ;  superintendent,  B.  F.  Abbott ;  sextons, 
Jotham  Walton,  and  Oliver  Walton,  ad. 


574 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


CHAPTER   XIV. 


REBELLION    HISTORY    AND   RECORD. 

WHEN  the  clouds  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  began  to  overshadow 
our  beloved  land,  and  the  mutterings  of  their  thunder  began  to  be  heard 
in  the  distance,  the  inhabitants  of  the  three  Readings,  true  to  that 
spirit  of  liberty  and  patriotism  which  animated  their  fathers  and  prede- 
cessors in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  were  found  to  be  almost  unani- 
mously loyal  to  the  old  flag,  alive  to  the  wickedness  of  the  treasonable 
insurrection,  and  ready  to  go  in  for  the  defence  and  preservation  of  the 
Union  at  all  hazards  and  at  any  cost.  And  when  the  reverberations 
of  actual  conflict  filled  the  air,  the  people  of  these  towns,  in  common 
with  those  of  most  other  towns  in  the  free  States,  uprose  with  alacrity 
and  determined  resolution  boldly  to  meet  the  crisis. 

There  was  at  this  time  but  one  military  organization,  the  "  Richard- 
son Light  Guard,"  in  the  three  towns.  This  company,  with  its  armory 
and  head-quarters  at  South  Reading,  was  composed,  mainly,  of  citizens 
of  South  Reading,  but  contained  members  from  other  portions  of  old 
Reading.  It  was  a  well-disciplined  and  flourishing  corps. 

By  the  wise  foresight  and  sagacious  action  of  Gov.  Andrew,  who 
seemed  endued  with  prophetic  ken,  this  company  had.  been  notified, 
some  days  before  the  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter,  to  be  in  readiness  at  a 
minute's  warning  to  rally  and  march  to  the  defence  of  the  Government. 

To  the  honor  of  the  company  be  it  recorded,  that  they  not  only  sig- 
nified their  willingness  to  be  thus  called  upon,  but  also  expressed  a 
strong  desire  to  do  and  dare  in  defence  of  the  Union,  and  longed  for 
an  opportunity ;  and  especially  after  the  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter,  were 
earnest  and  even  clamorous  for  orders  to  go. 

It  was  then  understood  that  orders  to  proceed  to  Washington  would 
probably  come  soon ;  that  the  town  bell  would  be  rung  upon  their 
reception,  when  the  Guards  would  be  expected  to  rally  at  their  place  of 
parade. 

On  the  ever  memorable  igth  of  April,  1861,  the  desired  orders  came, 
and  at  12  o'clock,  noon,  of  that  day,  the  old  town  bell  struck  its  loudest 
peals,  and  all  understood  the  stirring  signal.  The  Guards  hurried  to 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


575 


the  armory,  and  before  5  o'clock  of  the  same  day,  Capt.  Locke,  with  his 
company  in  full  ranks,  and  all  its  members  inspired  with  patriotic  ardor 
and  heroic  zeal  to  fight  in  defence  of  their  country's  flag,  was  at  the 
railroad  station  to  take  the  train.  And  amid  a  crowd  of  earnest  citi- 
zens, who  had  thronged  about  the  railroad  station  to  witness  their 
departure,  some  of  whom  addressed  to  these  departing  heroes  pathetic 
and  glowing  words  of  encouragement  and  hope,  with  exhortations  to 
bravery  and  gallantry,  and  promises  of  support,  of  gratitude,  and  future 
fame ;  and  amid  the  prayers,  the  tears,  the  tender  leave-takings  and 
farewells  of  relatives  and  friends,  all  electrified  by  the  exciting  news, 
just  received,  of  the  bloody  tragedy  which  had  that  day  occurred  in  the 
city  of  Baltimore,  —  amid  all  these  stirring  incidents  and  circumstances, 
and  after  an  impressive  invocation  of  Heaven's  blessing  upon  the  expe- 
dition by  Rev.  Mr.  Phillips,  these  gallant  soldiers  went  forth  to  glorious 
war. 


LIEUT.  J.   H.  WOODFIN. 


The  company  were  enlisted  for  three  months ;  were  stationed  in 
Alexandria,  in  Virginia,  where  they  performed  valuable  service  in  guard- 
ing and  protecting  the  National  Capital ;  fought  bravely  in  the  first 


576  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

battle  of  Bull  Run,  in  which  some  of  their  number  were  wounded,  and 
three  were  taken  prisoners. 

At  the  expiration  of  their  term  of  enlistment,  the  company  (except 
the  three  soldiers  who  had  been  taken  prisoners)  returned  to  South 
Reading,  where  a  public  reception  awaited  them. 

On  their  arrival  at  the  railroad  station,  in  South  Reading,  they  were 
saluted  by  shouts  of  welcome  from  a  great  multitude  of  the  inhabitants 
of  South  Reading,  Reading,  and  other  neighboring  towns,  and  were 
addressed  by  Edward  Mansfield,  Esq.,  chairman  of  the  board  of  select- 
men in  South  Reading,  in  these  appropriate  words :  — 

Mr.  Commander  and  Soldiers  : 

I  can  hardly  realize  that  we  are  in  the  midst  of  a  civil  war,  —  that  a 
portion  of  the  States  of  this  once  united  and  happy  Republic  are  in 
open  and  wicked  rebellion  against  the  constitutional  government  estab- 
lished and  cemented  by  the  blood  of  our  fathers,  —  under  which  they 
and  we  have  lived  and  prospered,  and  to  which,  in  a  great  measure,  we 
are  indebted  for  our  social  and  religious  blessings. 

I  can  hardly  realize  that  the  cry  "  to  arms  "  has  been  echoed  and 
re-echoed  over  hill  and  vale  and  mountain-top,  to  our  New  England 
homes,  and  that  now  the  tramp  of  the  war-horse  and  the  glitter  of 
arms  present  a  spectacle  awfully  sublime  on  our  American  soil. 

I  can  hardly  realize  that  at  the  call,  and  in  behalf  of  my  fellow-citi- 
zens, I  now  stand  before  a  portion  of  an  American  army,  recently 
organized  for  the  defence  of  our  dearest  rights,  —  for  the  better  estab- 
lishment and  perpetuation  of  all  that  is  sacred  in  government.  Yet 
truth,  which  is  sometimes  stranger  than  fiction,  declares  this  state  of 
things  to  exist. 

I  recognize  before  me  a  part  of  our  own  community,  from  whom,  for 
a  time,  we  have  been  separated,  who,  when  a  dark  and  portentous 
cloud  hung  over  the  capital  and  the  nation,  and  the  administration 
inquired  who  would  go  to  avert  the  impending  danger,  promptly 
responded,  "  Here  are  we,  send  us." 

Yes,  I  recognize  you,  though  the  vertical  sun  of -summer  has  bronzed 
your  cheeks  and  in  part  disguised  your  manly  brows ;  though  the 
effacing  fingers  of  care  and  toil  have  traced  their  lines  upon  your  per- 
sons and  your  habiliments,  —  still  I  recognize  you. 

I  recognize  the  forms  that  left  us  on  the  igth  of  April  last,  just  as  the 
news  reached  the  village  that  our  neighbors  had  been  struck  down  in 
Baltimore,  and  had  been  marred  and  slain  by  traitors.  That  was  a  thrill- 
ing moment,  and  all  our  hearts  beat  quickly  with  feverish  emotions,  as  we 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  577 

bid  you  adieu  for  the  present,  feeling  that  we  were  looking  upon  some 
of  your  faces  perhaps  for  the  last  time  in  life. 

But  our  hearts  still  lingering  with  you,  and  with  the  cause  you  had 
espoused,  we  followed  you  in  thought  to  Boston,  to  Annapolis,  thence  in 
part  through  an  enemy's  country,  by  railroad  and  on  foot,  until,  way- 
worn and  weary,  you  arrived  at  Washington  to  guard  one  of  our  most 
important  public  buildings  from  threatened  destruction  by  an  invet- 
erate foe. 

The  scenes  of  hardships,  of  toils  and  sacrifices,  of  physical  suffer- 
ings since  endured,  I  need  not,  I  cannot  describe ;  they  are  already  a 
part  of  your  experience  by  too  full  a  realization. 

Real  war  is  not  the  image  which  we  have  seen  painted  before  us  on 
occasions  of  parade  and  review.  It  has  a  sterner  reality,  reaching 
deep  down  into  the  soul,  and  moving  to  sighs  and  tears,  and  groans 
and  blood. 

With  profound  gratitude  would  we  acknowledge  an  overruling  hand 
in  the  care  and  protection  over  you  in  all  your  pathway  of  dangers 
and  sufferings. 

Though  the  peril  to  our  country  is  not  yet  averted,  though  the  vic- 
tory is  not  yet  achieved,  you  have  thus  far  fulfilled  the  mission  assigned 
to  you  ;  you  have  performed  well  your  part  in  the  great  drama  which 
is  now  being  enacted,  —  and  when  the  din  of  arms  shall  cease,  when 
the  smoke  of  battle  shall  be  cleared  away,  and  the  history  of  this 
second  war  for  our  independence  shall  be  written,  then  will  Company 
B,  of  South  Reading,  claim  an  honorable  mention  on  one  of  its  bright- 
est pages. 

Worn  out  with  marchings  and  with  fatigues  in  actual  service  on  the 
field  of  battle,  we  welcome  you  back  to  our  quiet  village  to  recover 
your  exhausted  natures.  We  welcome  you  to  the  kind  congratulations 
of  neighbors  and  citizens,  who  have  met  in  these  numbers  with  warm 
and  sympathetic  hearts  to  receive  you.  We  welcome  you  to  the 
sacred  endearments  of  home,  made  doubly  dear  by  a  painful  absence. 
We  welcome  you  to  the  embraces  of  friendship,  by  companions,  by 
children  and  parents,  by  brothers,  sisters,  and  loved  ones.  We  wel- 
come you  to  the  pure  and  invigorating  air  of  freedom,  which  circulates 
nowhere  so  freely  as  in  these  more  northern  climes. 

But  our  rejoicing  to-day  is  tempered  with  sorrow.  Of  the  seventy 
and  nine  who  departed  from  us,  where  are  the  three  ?  They  are  not 
here  to  receive  our  greetings ;  their  friends  in  silence  mourn ;  but 
their  names  and  their  valor  shall  be  held  in  lasting  remembrance.  And 
may  the  glad  sound  which  fell  upon  the  ear  of  the  patriarch  of  old, 
73 


578 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


"  Joseph  is  yet  alive,"  vibrate  through  our  saddened  spirits,  and  we  yet 
be  permitted  to  make  merry  with  our  friends,  because  these  our  broth- 
ers are  alive  again,  though  lost  they  now  are  found. 

Soldiers  and  friends,  in  behalf  of  your  fellow  townsmen  and  citizens, 
I  have  extended  to  you  this  welcome,  but  they,  through  the  president 
(Hon.  Lilley  Eaton)  and  other  gentlemen,  at  another  place,  will  give 
you  a  more  hearty  greeting  in  stronger  and  more  eloquent  words,  to 
which  mine  were  intended  but  as  a  prelude. 

May  the  rights  of  the  people  to  govern  soon  be  established  beyond 
the  possibility  of  a  contingency ;  and  may  the  members  of  the  Rich- 
ardson Light  Guard  long  live  to  uphold  and  enjoy  the  blessings  of 
union  and  liberty,  for  which  they  have  bared  their  bosoms  so  nobly. 

At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Mansfield's  remarks,  the  company  were 
escorted,  amid  the  ringing  of  bells,  the  roaring  of  cannon,  the  display 


MAjOri    HORACE    M.    WARRbN. 


OP   THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  579 

of  banners,  and  the  rejoicings  of  the  people,  to  the  common  in  South 
Reading,  where,  in  a  spacious  tent,  with  greetings  of  rejoicing,  in 
strains  pathetic,  with  flowing  verse  and  martial  music,  these  bronzed 
heroes  were  welcomed  to  the  festal  boards,  and  to  the  homes  and  hearts 
of  the  people. 

In  the  same  year,  soon  after  the  departure  of  the  Richardson  Light 
Guard  for  the  seat  of  war,  Major  John  Wiley,  2d,  of  South  Reading, 
who  had  been  an  accomplished  officer  in  the  volunteer  militia,  was 
anthorized  to  recruit  a  company  of  "three  years'  men,"  in  South 
Reading  and  vicinity,  which  he  succeeded  in  doing,  and  of  which  he 
was  chosen  and  commissioned  captain.  The  members  of  this  com- 
pany belonged  principally  to  South  Reading,  but  included  some  from 
Reading  and  other  neighboring  towns.  They  were  attached  to  the 
Sixteenth  Massachusetts  Regiment,  and  went  into  camp  at  Cambridge 
in  July,  1861,  and  left  for  the  seat  of  war  Aug.  17,  1861  (see  roll  of 
this  company  in  this  chapter). 

This  company  served  in  Virginia  in  the  grand  army  of  the  Potomac, 
and  during  its  three  years'  term  performed  much  severe  duty,  endured 
many  hardships  and  fatigues,  engaged  in  many  hard-fought  battles,  and 
many  of  its  members  were  either  killed  in  battle,  or  died  of  wounds 
and  disease,  or  of  starvation  in  rebel  prison  pens ;  but  it  ever  sus- 
tained the  reputation  of  a  brave,  faithful,  efficient,  and  gallant  corps, 
and  is  entitled  to  the  everlasting  gratitude  and  highest  honors  of  all 
loyal  people. 


LlfcUf.    B.    F.    BARNARD. 


5  So 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


During  the  summer  of  1861,  the  spirit  of  patriotism  of  the  citizens 
in  the  three  Readings  was  lively  and  overflowing.  Contributions  of 
those  inestimable  sinews  of  successful  war,  brave  men,  were  proffered 
to  the  Government  in  profusion. 

Drill  clubs  were  formed  in  the  several  towns,  composed  of  numerous 
members,  young  and  old,  who  earnestly  trained  themselves  in  the  tac" 
tics  of  war. 

The  Star  Spangled  Banner  was  unfurled  from  liberty  pole  and  church 
tower,  and  from  dwelling,  school-house,  and  hill-top,  all  around  us. 

New  flag-staffs  were  erected,  and  the  heavens  were  gay  with  the 
bright  symbols  of  liberty,  union,  and  determined  victory. 

In  South  Reading  and  Reading,  lofty  masts  were  raised  upon  the 
respective  commons,  still  standing,  from  which  were  unrolled,  with  im- 
posing ceremonies,  large  and  beautiful  ensigns. 

An  account  of  the  services  at  a  flag-raising  in  South  Reading,  on 
July  4,  1 86 1,  may  serve  as  [a  specimen  of  many  other  similar  occa- 
sions :  — 

A  procession  was  formed  near  the  town  house,  under  the  direction 
of  N.  S.  Dearborn,  Esq.,  chief  marshal,  consisting  of  the  Yale  engine 
company,  Capt.  Dunn,  with  engine  following,  drawn  by  horses ;  com- 
pany of  Massachusetts  volunteers,  Capt.  Wiley  (just  recruited)  ; 
South  Reading  drill  club,  Capt.  Carpenter ;  the  thirteen  schools  and  a 
numerous  retinue  of  citizens.  The  engine  and  horses  were  handsomely 
decorated,  and  the  pupils  made  a  fine  appearance  with  wreaths, 
flowers,  and  appropriate  banners. 

The  procession,  preceded  by  the  Maiden  Band,  after  marching 
through  some  of  the  principal  streets,  formed  in  front  of  the  speaker's 
stand  and  awning,  erected  for  the  purpose,  near  the  flag-staff,  on  the 
common,  where  the  following  exercises  occurred. 

The  president  of  the  day,  Lilley  Eaton,  said :  — 

'•'•Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  —  My  duty  on  the  present  occasion  is  an 
honorable,  a  pleasant,  and  an  easy  one ;  for  while  it  is  not  expected  of 
me  that  I  shall  pour  forth  those  streams  of  eloquent  sentiment  that 
the  occasion  demands  and  is  calculated  to  inspire,  still  I  have  the 
honor  to  be  intrusted  with  those  magic  keys,  that  at  a  touch  will  un- 
lock and  uplift  the  vocal  gates,  and  let  come  a  gushing  flood  of  invo- 
cation and  patriotism  and  harmonious  enthusiasm  that  shall  animate* 
refresh,  and  gladden  all  our  hearts." 

Whereupon  the  Rev.  Mr.  Phillips,  of  the  Baptist  Church,  at  the 
president's  request,  offered  a  most  fervent  and  appropriate  invoca- 
tion. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING 


58I 


The  president  then  continued  :  — 

"  We  are  assembled  on  the  anniversary  of  that  declaration,  which 
has  made  this  day  the  consecrated  birthday  of  our  beloved  country's 
independence  ;  and  we  are  met  together  under  very  unusual,  peculiar, 
and  exciting  circumstances.  Our  government,  the  freest,  wisest,  and 
most  prosperous  that  has  ever  existed  ;  our  grand  palladium  of  liberty, 
law,  union,  and  safety ;  that  was  secured  by  the  toil,  sufferings,  and 
valor,  established  by  the  wisdom  and  sanctified  by  the  blood  of  our 
heroic  and  sainted  forefathers ;  a  government  beloved  by  the  immortal 
Washington,  and  his  illustrious  compeers,  is  assailed  by  a  most  gigantic 
and  wicked  rebellion.  Armed  traitors,  led  by  ambitious,  unprincipled, 
and  talented  men,  are  seeking  its  overthrow ;  and  are  now,  like  the 
Goths  and  Vandals  of  old,  hovering  around  the  nation's  capital,  furi- 
ous for  its  possession,  and  swearing  that  that  starry  banner,  that  sym- 
bolizes freedom,  law,  and  union,  that  has  waved  triumphantly  over 
many  a  battle-field,  and  commands  respect  in  every  clime  and  on  every 
sea,  shall  be  struck  down  and  trampled  in  the  dust. 

But  we  rejoice  to  know,  thanks  to  those  brave  Massachusetts  soldiers 
who  hastened  early  to  Washington,  that  the  Stars  and  Stripes  still  wave 
from  the  great  dome  of  the  Capitol ;  that  our  Government  still  lives 
and  moves  and  has  a  being  ;  that  our  chosen  and  honored  civil  and 
military  chiefs  still  stand,  tall  and  strong,  wise  and  brave,  fearless  and 
hopeful  amid  the  storm  ;  that  the  genius  of  freedom  from  slumber  is 
waking ;  that  the  sons  of  liberty,  in  valiant  hosts,  have  rallied  and 
rushed,  and  are  still  rallying  and  rushing,  to  the  rescue.  Joyfully  and 
gratefully  do  we  call  to  mind  at  this  time,  that  at  the  first  tocsin  of 
alarm  our  own  Guards,  our  sons,  brothers,  and  husbands,  were  seen 
rallying,  and  at  the  earliest  possible  moment  were  observed  hastening 
to  the  post  of  danger;  that  they  are  to-day  standing  in  the  front  ranks 
of  that  bright  array  of  loyal  heroes,  who  are  staying  and  forcing  back 
that  fearful  tide  of  treason  that  threatens  to  overwhelm  the  land.  We 
rejoice,  too,  to  think  and  know  that  another  company  of  our  gallant 
sons  is  organized,  and  its  members  ready  and  earnest  to  join  their 
brethren  in  the  field.  Their  presence  with  us  to-day  adds  interest  to 
our  exercises  ;  but  they  are  soon  to  depart  to  fight  for  freedom,  for 
union,  and  for  their  country's  flag ;  may  they  go  resolute  and  cheerful ; 
our  best  wishes  and  most  fervent  aspirations  will  go  with  them  ;  may 
they  return  covered  with  laurels,  —  or,  reposing  upon  them  ! 

We  forget  not  the  reserved  corps  before  us,  no  less  patriotic  and 
brave,  who  are  educating  themselves  in  military  science,  and  preparing 
themselves  to  follow  when  necessary. 


582 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


The  firemen,  too,  are  here,  and  we  greet  their  presence,  believing 
that,  whenever  their  country  calls  them,  they  are  ready,  like  Ellsworth's 
Fire  Zouaves,  to  go  forth  to  the  contest,  whether  it  be  to  fight  fire,  or 
fire  and  fight ;  and  either  or  both  will  be  well  done  (Dunn). 

The  schools  are  here,  the  coming  hope  of  the  country ;  we  joyfully 
hail  their  smiling  presence ;  may  they  catch  the  inspirations  of  the 
occasion,  study  its  symbols,  understand  its  memorials  and  stirring  inci- 
dents, and  make  improvement  in  that  knowledge  and  wisdom  that  will 
the  better  enable  them  to  grow  up  into  the  stature  of  perfect  and  intelli- 
gent free-men. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  —  Amid  all  these  eventful  movements,  excit- 
ing associations,  and  glorious  memories,  we  meet  to-day  to  unfurl  anew 
the  American  ensign ;  to  swing  it  from  our  new  liberty  pole ;  to  swear 
fresh  allegiance  to  our  Star  Spangled  Banner,  and  to  all  the  glorious 
principles  of  freedom,  equal  rights,  law  and  union,  which  this  bright 
flag  symbolizes. 

This  is  no  party  or  sectarian  color ;  it  is  the  national  flag,  procured 
by  the  united  contributions  of  all.  It  is,  therefore,  the  "  Union  Ameri- 
can Flag,"  and  represents  not  only  the  Federal  union  of  these  States, 
but  also  that  glorious,  democratic  union  of  the  people,  which  recent 
treason  and  rebellion  have  served  to  produce  and  cement  in  the  free 
States  of  this  Republic. 

I  would  fain  wish  that  there  still  lingered  among  us  one,  at  least,  of 
those  brave  old  Revolutioners,  whose  heroic  deeds  first  gave  meaning 
and  beauty  to  this  banner,  that  I  might  ask  his  aid  in  again  unfurling 
it  to  the  breeze  ;  but,  alas  !  the  besom  of  time  has  swept  them  all  away, 
—  not  one  remains.  With  your  permission,  therefore,  I  will  call  upon 
our  venerable  and  esteemed  friend,  Capt.  and  Hon.  Thomas  Emerson, 
who  inherits  some  of  the  best  blood  of  the  Revolution,  whose  birth  was 
nearly  coeval  with  that  of  the  Republic,  and  who  loves  the  Government 
and  Union  which  this  flag  represents.  I  will  call  upon  him  to  unfurl, 
shake  out,  and  lift  up  our  new  —  our  old  —  the  starry  banner  of  free- 
dom, of  union,  of  victory." 

(Here  the  flag  unrolled  and  rose  majestically  upward.) 

The  president  continuing:  — 

"Let  it  rise  to  its  mast-top  —  its  topmost  height!  In  the  glowing 
words  of  our  eloquent  as  well  as  excellent  Governor,  — 

"  Let  it  float  on  every  wind,  — to  every  sea  and  every  shore,  — from 
every  hill-top  and  house-top  let  it  wave  ;  down  every  river  let  it  run. 
Respected  it  shall  be,  not  in  Massachusetts  only,  but  in  South  Carolina 
also,  —  on  the  Mississippi  as  on  the  Penobscot,  —  in  New  Orleans  as 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


583 


•»  in  Cincinnati, — in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  as  on  Lake  Superior,  —  and 
by  France  and  England,  now  and  forever.  Catch  it,  ye  breezes,  as  -it 
swings  aloft.  Fan  it  every  wind  that  blows  ;*  clasp  it  in  your  arms,  and 
let  it  float  forever  as  the  ensign  of  the  Republic ! " 

The  multitude  were  then  addressed  in  eloquent  and  patriotic  phrase, 
by  Hon.  Thomas  Emerson,  Hon.  P.  H.  Sweetser,  Rev.  E.  A.  Eaton, 
and  Prof.  Elam  Porter. 

Poetic  recitations  by  Mrs.  E.  C.  Poland  and  Miss  Sarah  J.  W.  McKay 
followed. 

The  following  original  poem  was  then  pronounced  by  John  Sullivan 
Eaton,  Esq. :  — 

Beneath  the  flag  our  fathers  wrought, 

We  stand,  to-day,  most  proudly ; 
Beneath  that  flag  the  fathers  fought, 

Where  cannon  rattled  loudly. 

That  flag  they  bore  on  many  a  field, 

Rent  with  war's  wild  commotion  — 
To  victory,  bore  its  star-gemmed  shield, 

On  bloody  plain  and  ocean. 

Where  fiery  shells  the  hottest  flew, 

Those  gallant  heroes  bore  it, 
Where  Indian  arrows  pierc'd  it  through, 

And  British  lances  tore  it 

It  floated  from  the  bending  mast,  — 

O'er  the  blue  billows  dashing ; 
While  from  the  port-holes,  red  and  fast, 

The  fierce  broadsides  were  flashing. 

While  crashing  ball  and  bursting  shell 

Sent  the  firm  timbers  flying,  — 
Clear,  'bove  the  smoke,  it  floated  still. 

And  sailors  clasp'd  it,  dying. 


That  flag  has  flutter'd  in  the  air 
That  sweeps  the  polar  seas,  — 

Its  red  and  blue  have  glitter'd  fair, 
Amidst  the  orange  trees. 

Where  winter  stern,  with  icy  bars, 
River  and  lake  had  fetter'd, 

The  gallant  Kane  unfurl'd  the  Stars, 
With  Union,  golden-letter'd  :  — 


584  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Upon  the  ice-hill's  topmost  crest,  — 
Beyond  the  sunlight  lying,  — 

That  noble  leader,  fearless,  prest, 
And  set  our  flag  a-flying. 

From  Rocky  Mountains'  lofty  crag,  — 
No  human  footprint  bearing,  — 

Was  fair  unfurl'd  our  nation's  flag, 
By  John  Fremont,  the  daring. 

On  every  sea,  behold  our  sails, 
And  ev'ry  river  flecking  ; 

Behold  that  flag,  on  balmy  gales, 
Each  lofty  peak  bedecking  ! 


On  all  the  free  pure  airs  of  heaven, 
Its  colors  flash  —  undying  — 

By  heroes,  to  their  children  given  — 
They  '11  keep  those  colors  flying  ! 


Shall  Treason,  'neath  that  starry  flag, 

Its  snaky  head  upraising,  — 
To  depth  infernal,  seek  to  drag 

The  Union,  all  are  praising  ? 

It  may  —  it  has  !  —  E'en  now,  they  march 

Along  our  Southern  border,  — 
Led  by  a  traitor,  keen  and  arch  — 

Those  minions  of  disorder. 

Are  words  of  him  who  calmly  sleeps 

Upon  the  earth's  cold  pillow, 
In  Marshfield's  sod  —  while  round  him  sweeps 

The  broad  Atlantic  billow ; 

Are  all  the  clear  and  warning  words, 
By  the  great  Statesman  spoken  — 

In  rush  of  trade,  —  in  lapse  of  years,  — 
Unheeded,  and  forgotten  ? 

Not  yet !    The  heroes'  worthy  sons 

Hold  to  the  Union,  steady  ; 
With  purpose  firm,  they  man  their  guns  ; 

Are  for  the  conflict  ready. 


Of    THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 

When  the  war  summons,  startling,  rang 

Along  our  Northern  border  — 
How  then,  our  sturdy  yeomen  sprang, 

In  answer  to  that  order. 

From  the  white  sands  that  belt  the  Cape, 

Wet  with  the  spray  of  ocean, 
To  where  the  trees  of  Berkshire  bend 

With  fair  and  gentle  motion  ;  — 

From  Essex'  smooth  and  fruitful  farms, 

Where  flows  the  Merrimack ; 
From  Concord's  glorious,  hallow'd  plains, 

Bright  with  the  martyr's  track  ;  — 

From  Bunker's  swelling  mount  of  green, 
Where  stands  the  granite  tow'ring. 

Where  Prescott  fought  and  Warren  fell, 
'Midst  British  bullets  show'ring  ! 

Our  "  Spindle  City  "  sends  its  youth  — 

First  sacrifice  to  Freedom  ! 
It  sends,  as  well,  its  lawyers  forth, 

When  dangerous  "  cases  "  need  'em  ! 

Our  own  dear  town,  with  ready  hand, 
Its  treasures  quick  un-Z^-ing  — 

When  rang  the  call,  sent  forth  its  "  Guard," 
'Round  Freedom's  banner  flocking  ! 

God  guard  them  in  their  distant  camp, 

By  the  Potomac's  waters  ; 
And  bring  them  safe  to  peaceful  homes, 

To  mothers,  wives,  and  daughters ! 


From  many  a  wild  and  rocky  gorge, 
With  mountain-spring  outgushing  — 

New  Hampshire's  earnest,  rugged  sons, 
To  guard  their  soil,  came  rushing. 

From  the  far  bounds  of  rocky  Maine, 
Where  rush  Penobscot's  waters  — 

Sprang  forth  the  hardy  lumber-men, 
Cheer'd  by  her  blooming  daughters. 

From  where  the  Hudson  rolls  in  pride, 

By  cro'nest,  and  the  Highlands,  — 
.  Bearing,  at  length,  his  silver  tide, 

Along  Manhattan's  islands  ;  — 
74 


585 


586 


GENEALOGICAL    HIS  TOR  Y 

On  fair  Ohio's  waving  grounds, 

In  many  a  sunny  valley, 
The  trumpet  for  the  battle  sounds  — 

The  sons  of  freemen  rally  ! 

O'er  prairies  green  the  columns  wind, 

In  firm  and  shining  order  ; 
And  Western  traitors  wake,  to  find 

A  "  Lyon  "  on  their  border  ! 

O'er  all  the  acres,  free  and  broad, 
With  food  for  millions  teeming, 

Banners  uplift  and  gay  plumes  nod, 
And  bayonets  are  gleaming. 

Our  Eagle  has  his  wings  outspread, 
And  floats  on  mighty  pinion ; 

Our  armies  march  with  fearless  tread, 
And  shake  the  "  Old  Dominion  "  ! 

With  Leaders  true  our  columns  press, 
To  silence  batteries,  rebel ; 

The  war-cry  ringing  as  they  charge  — 
"  Ells-worth  —  Winthrop  —  Greble." 


He  who  on  bloody  Mexic  plains, 
Made  sure  and  dread  advances, 

Now  guides  our  military  trains, 
And  calculates  the  chances. 

Brave  Winfield  Scott — enjoying  fame, 
More  worth  than  youthful  Morphy's, 

Moves  new  the  pieces  in  this  game, 
Where  Empires  are  the  trophies  ! 

Calmly  he  sits,  and  views  the  field, 

As  on  a  chess-board  gazing ; 
While  his  firm  squares  which  will  not  yield, 

Entrenchments  strong  are  raising. 

"  Old  Abraham,"  — the  faithful  one,— 

Alone  has  supervision ; 
And  all  the  hero's  moves  are  done 

With  infinite  precision. 

The  men  he  moves,  as  by  a  spring, 
Are,  'round  his  "  Castle,"  closing, 

And  soon  will  "  check  "  the  "  Cotton-King  " 
The  foe  he 's  now  opposing  ! 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 

Ne'er  fear  the  end,  nor  chide  delay  ; 

Hath  Heaven  no  finger  in  it  ? 
Treason,  be  sure,  will  lose  the  day, 

And  Truth  and  Right  will  win  it! 

i 

Be  sure,  a  brighter  day  shall  come, 
A  calm  and  peaceful  morrow  ; 

No  battle-shout,  no  roll  of  drum, 
No  wailing  cry  of  sorrow;  — 

Peace,  with  her  olive-wreath,  shall  bind 

Our  States,  again  United, 
And  plant  with  flowers  the  sunny  fields 

War's  cruel  breath  has  blighted  ! 

Flag  of  the  free  hearts'  hope,  float  on  ! 

No  single  star  dissever  ! 
No  stripe  erased,  no  glory  gone  ; 

Thus  let  it  float,  forever  ! 


587 


The  exercises  were  interspersed  with  patriotic  and  inspiring  songs 
by  the  choir,  and  stirring  music  by  the  band. 


UEUT.    R.    S.    BECKWITH. 


The  i4th  day  of  June,  1862,  was  signalized  and  made  historic  by 
the  return  to  town  of  members  of  the  Richardson  Light  Guard,  who 
were  taken  captive  by  the  rebels  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  in 
July,  1861;  and  by  the  impressive  ceremonies  of  a  public  reception, 


588  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

performed  in  South  Reading  in  honor  of  those  returned  heroes,  and  in 
joy  at  their  safe  arrival. 

Two  of  the  returning  soldiers,  Sergeant  Geo.  W.  Aborn  and  James 
H.  Greggs,  had  arrived  in  Boston  some  days  before,  and  the  third, 
Frank  L.  Tibbetts,  had  reached  New  York,  and  was  expected  to  reach 
Boston  in  season  to  accompany  his  comrades  to  South  Reading  on  the 
day  appointed  to  receive  them.  For  some  cause,  to  the  universal  regret, 
Mr.  Tibbetts  was  not  present. 

Yale's  mammoth  tent  was  pitched  upon  the  'common.  The  tables 
therein  for  the  festive  repast  were  spread  and  loaded  by  the  ladies  of 
the  town. 

Edward  Mansfield,  Esq.,  was  appointed  president  of  the  day;  N.  S. 
Dearborn,  Esq.,  chief  marshal ;  and  L.  Eaton,  Esq.,  orator. 

At  one  o'clock,  p.  M.,  the  people  of  the  towns  of  South  Reading, 
of  Reading,  and  of  the  surrounding  towns  generally,  begun  to  assem- 
ble in  crowds  upon  the  common,  and  soon  after  a  procession  was 
formed,  under  direction  of  the  marshal,  consisting  of  the  Richardson 
Light  Guard,  under  command  of  Capt.  H.  D.  Degen,  who  had  suc- 
ceeded to  the  captaincy,  accompanied  by  the  Boston  Brigade  Band ; 
military  and  civic  guests  ;  reception  committee  in  carriages  ;  president, 
orator,  and  poet,  in  carriages  ;  clergymen,  town  officers,  public  schools, 
citizens,  etc. 

The  procession  moved  through  some  of  the  principal  streets  to  the 
Junction  railroad  station,  there  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  three  o'clock 
train  from  Boston,  which  was  to  bring  the  returning  heroes. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  the  train  it  was  found  that  Messrs.  Aborn  and 
Greggs,  two  of  the  rescued  prisoners,  were 'on  board  in  charge  of  Capt. 
John  W.  Locke  (recently  the  commander  of  the  Guards,  and  subse- 
quently appointed  Lieut-Colonel  of  the  soth  Mass.  Reg't),  who  imme- 
diately conducted  them  to  the  committee  appointed  to  receive  them, 
who  were  in  waiting  at  the  station. 

Dr.  S.  O.  Richardson,  the  chairman  of  this  committee,  and  the  god- 
father, namesake,  and  long  tried  friend  of  the  Guards,  took  them  by 
the  hand,  and  thus  addressed  them :  — 

"Gentlemen,  —  This  is  indeed  a  happy  moment  to  me,  and  one  I 
shall  never  forget.  I  take  pleasure  in  informing  you  that  Messrs. 
Beebe,  Wheeler,  and  myself  have  been  delegated,  in  behalf  of  the 
citizens  of  South  Reading,  to  greet  you  on  this .  happy  occasion,  and 
bid  you  a  thrice  joyful  welcome.  We  hope  to  show  you  by  the  ovation 
this  afternoon,  that  although  you  have  been  from  us  a  long  time,  as 
prisoners  of  war,  our  love  for  you  has  not  diminished.  You  have 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


589 


shown  us  that  on  the  battle-field  you  were  full  of  pluck  and  fight,  and 
nobly  risked  your  lives  to  restore  the  Stars  and  Stripes  to  our  glorious 
Union.  Permit  me  to  say  you  have  done  honor  to  yourselves,  to  this 
town,  and  as  members  of  the  Richardson  Light  Guard  have  conferred 
great  honor  on  him  for  whom  the  corps  is  named.  After  leaving  here, 
we  hope  to  introduce  you  from  the  "  Rebels'  Field  "  of  the  South,  to  a 
"  Man's-field"  of  the  North,  where  you  will  receive  a  welcome  by  the 
"Lily"  of  the  field,  surrounded  by  a  host  of  friends,  with  warm  hearts 
and  open  arms,  ready  to  receive  and  show  you  that  you  are  not  forgot- 
ten even  at  home," 

The  returned  soldiers  were  conducted  to  a  carriage  and  joined  the 
procession,  which  took  up  a  line  of  motion  in  return  to  the  common ; 
and  passing  through  many  of  the  principal  streets,  amid  the  ringing  of 
bells,  the  booming  of  cannon,  and  the  congratulations  of  die  people, 
reached  and  er.tered  the  spacious  pavilion. 

After  a  sumptuous  repast,  prepared  by  the  ladies  of  the  town,  and 
after  a  voluntary  by  the  band,  a  hollow  square  was  formed  by  the 
Richardson  Light  Guard  in  front  of  the  speakers'  stand,  where  the  re- 
turned soldiers  appeared  and  were  introduced  by  the  committee, 
through  P.  C.  Wheeler,  Esq,,  to  the  president  of  the  day,  Edward 
Mansfield,  Esq.,  who  descended  from  the  platform  to  receive  them  and 
escorted  them  to  seats  provided  for  them.  Then  followed  the  singing 
of  the  "Star  Spangled  Banner"  by  the  children,  and  a  fervent  invoca- 
tion by  Rev.  C.  R.  Bliss,  of  the  Congregational  church. 

The  president  then  said :  — 

Fellow-citizens,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  —  It  was  one  of  the  most  un- 
welcome duties  that  I  was  ever  called  to  perform,  to  extend  the  parting 
hand,  and  utter  farewell  words,  as  more  than  one  year  ago  the  Rich- 
ardson Light  Guard  left  their  friends  and  pleasant  firesides,  to  protect 
the  nation's  capital,  and  to  engage  in  scenes  of  strife  and  blood. 

But  life  has  its  changes.  Sorrow  and  joy  follow  each  other  some- 
times in  quick  succession.  The  company  went  forth  and  wrote  their 
names  on  the  scroll  of  fame.  Most  of  them  in  a  few  months  returned 
from  the  dreadful  conflict  with  the  smell  of  fire  upon  them,  and  some 
with  scars  and  wounds,  and  were  joyfully  welcomed  by  their  numerous 
friends.  But  a  stricken  few  remained,  and  a  terrible  suspense  hung 
over  us.  The  festive  hour  that  witnessed  our  rejoicings  over  the  many, 
was  also  an  hour  of  lamentation  and  mourning.  It  was  like  "  Rachel 
weeping  for  her  children,  refusing  to  be  comforted  because  they  were 
not."  But  later  events  proclaimed  the  welcome  truth,  "  the  missing 
ones  are  yet  alive."  Waning  hope  revives,  the  lost  are  found,  the 


590 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


scalding  tears  may  yet  be  wiped  away.  What  has  since  transpired 
and  been  experienced  will  often  be  related  in  the  social  circle  and  at 
the  fireside  of  home. 

After  long  months  of  imprisonment  by  a  cruel,  a  merciless  and  re- 
lentless foe,  —  in  loathsome  warehouses  and  gloomy  Southern  jails, — 
cut  off  from  the  comforts  of  home,  from  the  sympathy  of  friends,  and, 
I  had  almost  said,  from  all  communication  with  intelligent  humanity, — 
these  our  friends  are  with  us  again  to  receive  our  congratulations,  and 
to  enjoy  repose  in  the  quiet  of  home. 

And  it  is  with  a  pleasure  commensurate  with  a  former  sadness,  that 
I  now  perform  the  part  assigned  me,  and  present  them  to  one  who  has 
been  appointed  to  receive  them  in  behalf  of  the  citizens,  and  who  well 
knows  how  to  speak  fitting  words  of  welcome  on  this  joyous  occasion 

Friends,  I  refer  to  the  Hon.  Lilley  Eaton,  to  whom  1  introduce  and 
commit  you ;  not  now  as  prisoners  in  a  Southern  clime  to  a  barbarous 
people,  but  as  free  men,  breathing  the  free  air  ot  New  England,  and 
under  the  protection  of  the  Stars  and  Stripes  of  our  glorious  old 
republic. 

Mr.  Eaton  then  delivered  the  following  address :  — 

Mr.  President,  —  I  desire  to  thank  you,  sir,  and  through  you  the  com- 
mittee of  arrangements,  for  this  kind  invitation  ;  above  all,  I  desire  to 
thank  heaven  that  I  am  permitted,  on  this  rare  and  stirring  occasion,  amid 
this  brilliant,  crowded,  and  earnest  assembly,  with  the  symbols  of  loyalty, 
of  union,  of  liberty,  and  of  beauty,  spread  gayly  around  me,  hearing  and 
witnessing  these  exultant  demonstrations,  with  the  animating  notes  of 
victory  coming  in  on  the  wings  of  every  wind,  —  that  I  am  permitted, 
under  such  glorious  circumstances,  to  rise  and  declare  my  hearty  con- 
.currence  and  sympathy,  and  the  sincere  and  united  sympathy  of  all 
this  concourse,  with  all  these  expressions  of  congratulation,  of  warm 
welcome,  of  joy  and  rejoicing,£and  of  thanksgiving  and  gratitude  to 
the  great  disposer  of  events,  in  view  of  the  return  at  last  of  those 
heroic  young  men  who,  more  than  a  year  since,  at  the  earliest 
call  of  their  country,  when  in  sudden  and  fearful  peril,  buckled  on 
their  armor,  and  hastened  to  the  post  of  danger,  to  defend  the  sacred 
ark  of  their  country's  capital,  to  protect  the  government  of  the  union, 
and  to  fight  anew  the  battles  of  liberty  ;  and  who  now,  after  exposure 
to  bloody  perils,  having  suffered  severe  hardships,  privations,  and  im- 
prisonment, and  made  to  bear  insults  and  reproach  at  the  hands  of 
malicious  enemies,  for  ten  long  and  weary  months,  have  at  length,  thanks 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  PEADLVG.  egi 

be  to  the  God  of  battles  for  the  great  and  glorious  victories  that  have 
secured  their  release,  been  returned  to  us  in  life,  health,  and  gladness. 

Mr.  President,  and  ladies  and  gentlemen,  —  Amid  the  memories  of 
the  exciting  and  startling  events  of  the  last  year,  as  they  come  throng- 
ing upon  the  mind,  as  suggested  by  the  present  occasion,  and  the  emo- 
tions of  joy  and  pleasure  awakened  by  recent  victories,  and  in  view  of 
the  presence  here  in  our  midst  of  these  heroes,  rescued  from  captivity 
and  death,  and  of  these  other  gallant  youth,  not  less  heroic  and  true 
and  worthy,  who  have  spilled  their  blood  for  their  country  and  for  us 
in  the  same  great  cause,  and  who,  with  the  utmost  propriety,  are 
included  in  the  list  of  those  whom  we  this  day  delight  to  honor,  — we 
say,  amid  these  recollections  of  the  past,  the  felicities  of  the  present, 
and  the  hopes  of  the  future,  we  know  not  what  to  say  or  how  to  speak  ; 
we  are  overcome  and  confused  by  the  magnitude  of  our  privilege. 

We  read  that  the  ancient  saints, "  when  the  Lord  turned  again  their 
captivity,  were  like  those  that  dreamed  ;  that  their  mouths  were  filled 
with  laughter  and  their  tongues  with  singing,  and  they  were  led  to 
exclaim :  '  The  Lord  has  done  great  things  for  us,  whereof  we  are 
glad."' 

Thus  do  we  find  ourselves :  the  past  seems  like  a  dream,  the  present 
full  of  joy,  congratulation,  thanksgiving,  and  hope. 

But  there  are  certain  events  and  scenes  recalled  and  revived  by 
the  facts  of  the  present  occasion,  that  seem  to  stand  out  in  bolder 
relief  than  others.  The  first  are  those  which  occurred  on  the  igth  of 
April  of  last  year.  The  igth  of  April  1  most  memorable  day  in  the 
calendar  of  liberty ! 

Who  of  us  who  heard  it,  will  ever  forget  the  rousing  clangor  of  the 
old  town  bell,  when  at  midday  of  that  notable  19 th,  it  pealed  forth  its 
startling  tones  of  alarm  and  summons  ?  "  To  arms  !  to  arms  !  The 
Greek  !  The  Greek !  "  We  all  understood  its  fearful  import.  Espe- 
cially did  our  heroic  band  of  volunteers  understand  it ;  for  at  once, 
without  delay,  at  "  double  quick,"  they  came  from  all  quarters,  and 
were  seen  rushing  forward  and  rallying  at  their  rendezvous,  and  pre- 
paring for  their  departure  ;  and  ere  the  sun  went  down  in  the  west,  we 
find  them,  all  armed  and  furnished,  and  in  full  ranks,  at  the  railroad 
station  waiting  for  the  train.  Who  of  us  who  were  present  will  ever 
forget  that  farewell  at  the  station  !  It  will  be  recollected  that  at  that 
time  the  political  heavens  were  dark  and  threatening ;  the  federal  city, 
with  all  its  invaluable  archives  and  treasures  and  prestiges,  was  in 
fearful  peril ;  its  connection  with  the  North  was  cut  off ;  we  had  just  heard 
of  the  bloody  massacre  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  where  our  loyal  troops 


592 


GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 


who  were  hastening  to  the  protection  of  the  city  of  Washington,  had 
been  shot  down  by  the  "plug  uglies"  of  secession  while  peaceably  pass- 
ing along  the  streets  of  the  Monumental  City ;  all  was  solicitude  and 
apprehension.  But  we  forget  not  the  courage,  zeal,  and  cheerfulness 
of  that  intrepid  band,  of  whom  our  returned  captives  and  their  wounded 
companions  were  not  least,  with  which,  with  tearful  eyes  to  be  sure, 
but  with  determined  hearts,  they  bid  farewell  to  their  friends  and  fel- 
low-citizens who  were  crowding  around  them,  and  that,  amid  the 
cheers  and  prayers  and  tears  of  all,  then  went  fearlessly  and  boldly 
forth  to  fight,  and  if  need  required*to  die  in  defence  of  the  Union. 

We  are  also  reminded  of  the  eventful  battle  of  Bull  Run.  And 
although  we  are  ready  to  admit  that  some  of  the  circumstances  con- 
nected with  the  progress  and  result  of  that  fight  were  sad,  regretful, 
and  disastrous  ;  yet  it  is  our  consolation  to  believe  and  know  there 
were  at  least  two  great  facts,  brought  out  and  wrought  out  by  that 
battle,  in  which  we  can  rejoice  and  glory,  namely :  — 

ist.  That  the  Massachusetts  troops  generally,  and  the  5th  Massa- 
chusetts Regiment  (to  which  our  own  friends  belonged }  particularly  and 
eminently,  did  their  whole  duty  bravely  and  arduously  on  that  fearful 
occasion  ;  that  the  Richardson  Light  Guards  were  in  the  thickest  of 
that  engagement ;  that  they  faced  the  cannon's  mouth  and  flying  missiles 
of  the  foe  valiantly  and  fearlessly  j  that  they  spilled  their  blood  on  that 
field,  as  more  than  one  of  their  number  can  witness  ;  and  that  they  did 
not  retreat  until  they  were  ordered  to  do  so  ;  and  that,  even  then,  they 
fell  back  reluctantly,  believing  at  that  time,  as  many  of  them  supposed, 
that  they  were  just  about  to  conquer  the  enemy. 

Another  glorious  result,  which,  as  we  believe,  that  battle  secured,  was 
the  salvation  of  the  city  of  Washington  ;  for  although  it  is  true  that 
the  enemy  were  not  dislodged  from  their  strongholds,  yet  it  is  also  true 
that  they  were  so  damaged,  crippled,  and  disabled  that  they  were  pre- 
vented ever  afterward  from  making  any  offensive  operations  against  us 
from  that  quarter,  and  the  capital,  until  then  in  imminent  danger,  was 
thereby  and  thereafter  rendered  secure.  And  this  was  done  in  a  great 
measure  by  Massachusetts  soldiers,  our  own  company  included,  both 
before  and  at  that  contest. 

We  had  the  privilege  of  visiting  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  a  few  days 
before  the  battle  of  Bull  Run ;  and  as  we  were  returning  from  the 
encampments,  passing  through  Alexandria,  we  stopped,  with  several 
others  with  whom  we  were  riding  in  the  same  carriage,  to  visit  a  noted 
slave-pen  in  Alexandria,  of  which  some  of  you  have  heard.  We  found 
the  gateway  guarded  by  a  Union  sentinel,  —  a  Pennsylvanian,  of  Ger- 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  593 

man  descent,  —  who  demanded  our  pass.  We  told  him  we  were  Mas- 
sachusetts men,  who  had  called  to  take  a  look  at  the  slave-pen,  but  that 
we  had  got  a  pass  ;  and  while  we  were  producing  it,  he  replied  :  "  Mas- 
sachusetts men  !  God  bless  the  Massachusetts  boys  ;  for  it  was  they 
who,  by  their  promptness  and  heroism,  saved  yonder  capital  from  pil- 
lage and  destruction  ;  they  are  our  truest  and  best  soldiers.  Just  show 
me,"  said  he,  weeping,  "  that  you  hail  from  Massachusetts,  and  I  want 
no  other  pass  ;  you  can  go  where  you  please." 

We  mention  this  little  incident  to  show  the  estimation  in  which  our 
own  soldiers  are  held  at  the  seat  of  war.  We  greet  these  young  men, 
therefore,  as  heroes  true  and  honorable,  and  as  so  many  saviors  of 
their  country's  capital. 

But  we  must  just  refer  briefly  to  the  state  of  feeling  that  was  excited 
in  our  midst  when  the  news  of  the  Bull  Run  battle  came  home  to  our 
people. 

At  first  we  heard  that  the  Fifth  Massachusetts  Regiment  was  in  the 
front  of  the  fight,  was  badly  cut  up,  and  that  many  of  its  men  were 
killed  and  wounded,  —  how  many  and  whom  we  heard  not. 

Then  came  the  report  that  two  of  the  Richardson  Light  Guard  were 
certainly  killed,  two  more  badly  wounded,  and  many  were  missing,  but 
still  no  names. 

Next  came  the  story  that  Sergt.  Aborn  was  killed  by  a  cannon  ball, 
Eustis  and  Greggs  wounded,  and  Greggs  and  Tibbetts  missing,  and 
probably  dead. 

Oh  who  can  depict  the  eager  anxiety,  the  agonizing  suspense,  the 
deep  sorrow,  that  pervaded  all  our  minds  at  this  eventful  time ! 

Those  were  days  of  sadness  and  nights  of  sleeplessness  with  all 
of  us. 

"  Many  a  voice  was  heard  in  Ramah,  lamentation  and  bitter  weep- 
ing ; "  many  a  Rachel  weeping  for  her  children  or  dear  friends,  and 
refusing  to  be  comforted,  because  they  were  not. 

Not  many  days  after  the  battle  the  Richardson  Light  Guard,  their 
time  of  service  having  expired,  returned  to  their  homes  ;  three  of  their 
number,  Aborn,  Greggs,  and  Tibbetts,  still  missing,  and  their  fate  un- 
known ;  none  could  then  tell  whether  they  were  sainted  heroes,  gone  up 
to  their  reward,  or  were  languishing  in  the  dungeons  of  the  enemy. 
And  although  that  returned  company  was  received  with  joy  and  glad- 
ness, was  honored  with  a  public  reception  and  festival,  and  was  wel- 
comed by  a  greater  assembly  than  had  ever  before  convened  upon  our 
common,  who  manifested  the  liveliest  enthusiasm,  as  they  looked  upon 
the  embrowned  countenances  and  labor-marked  frames  of  these  gallant 
75 


594  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

men  ;  still  a  cloud  of  sadness  and  sorrow  overshadowed  all  the  proceed- 
ings on  account  of  the  missing  ones. 

Soon,  however,  the  voice  of  heavenly  mercy  was  heard,  saying :  "  Re- 
frain thy  voice  from  weeping,  and  thine  eyes  from  tears,  for  thy  work 
shall  be  rewarded,  and  there  is  hope  that  thy  children  shall  come  again 
from  the  land  of  the  enemy,  to  their  own  border  "  ;  and  we  then  heard, 
that  the  absent  ones  still  lived,  although  in  imprisonment  and  affliction. 

But  to-day  we  have  the  unspeakable  joy  of  knowing  that  such  has 
been  the  success  which  has  recently  attended  the  armies  of  freedom 
so  great  is  the  number  of  conquered  rebels,  that  the  balance  of  trade 
in  prisoners  of  war  is  greatly  in  our  favor  ;  that  indeed  these  impris- 
oned traitors  are  becoming  a  drug  upon  our  hands,  and  Yankee  prison- 
ers are  commanding  a  premium  ;  that  instead  of  one  rebel  being  equal 
in  value  to  five  Union  men,  as  our  enemies  boastingly  proclaimed  at 
the  onset,  it  now  appears  that  the  converse  of  that  proposition  is  true, 
for  our  Government  can  now  offer  five  of  these  revolting  sinners  for 
one  true  man. 

We  rejoice,  therefore,  that  in  consequence  of  this  signal  success,  we 
are  able  to-day  to  greet  the  return  of  these  young  men  to  their  long- 
lost  homes. 

We  proffer  them  our  heartiest  welcome ;  we  crown  them  with  the 
laurels  which  they  have  so  bravely,  so  nobly,  so  dearly  won. 

To  them,  to  these  other  young  heroes  by  their  side,  who  have  fought 
and  bled  for  their  country,  to  all  our  brave  Guardsmen,  whether  pres- 
ent here  to-day,  or  again  absent  at  the  post  of  danger  and  duty,  and  to 
all  our  patriotic  and  brave  sons,  who  are  fighting  for  the  Stars  and 
Stripes,  we  award  the  tribute  of  our  gratitude  and  respect ;  we  admit 
their  title  to  a  high  niche  among  the  benefactors  and  heroes  of  their 
country,  and  to  a  bright  place  upon  the  roll  of  fame. 

In  view,  then,  of  the  patriotism  and  prowess  of  all  our  young  men 
who  have  so  cheerfully  enlisted  for  the  defence  of  the  Government ;  in 
view  of  the  sufferings,  wounds,  and  imprisonment  of  these  our  honored 
guests  ;  in  view  of  the  present  bright  and  hopeful  prospects  of  our 
cause  j  and  especially  in  view  of  our  present  joy  and  thanksgiving  to 
the  Father  of  mercies,  for  this  return,  it  is  meet  and  just  that  we  should 
break  forth  into  singing,  with  music  and  dancing,  that  we  should  kill 
the  fatted  calf  and  make  merry  with  our  friends,  —  "  for  these  our  sons 
were  dead  and  are  alive  again,  were  lost,  and  now  are  found." 

"  These  brave  men's  perils  now  are  o'er, 

Their  glad  return  we  sing, 
And  loud  and  clear,  with  cheer  on  cheer, 
Our  joyous  welcomes  ring. 


OF  ThE    TOWN  OF  READING.  595 

"  Hurra  !  Hurra  !  —  it  shakes  the  wave, 

It  thunders  on  the  shore, 
4  One  flag,  one  land,  one  heart,  one  hand, 
One  nation  evermore.' " 

After  "  Home  Again  "  was  played  by  the  band,  Sergeant  Aborn 
being  called  upon,  gave  a  graphic  history  of  his  capture,  of  his  impris- 
onment at  Richmond,  New  Orleans,  and  Salisbury,  and  related  many 
interesting  incidents,  which  occurred  during  his  ten  months'  incarce- 
ration. 

Then  followed  singing  by  the  children  ;  and  by  the  assembled  mul- 
titude, to  the  tune  of  "  America,"  the  following  hymn,  written  for  the 
occasion  by  Hon.  P.  H.  Sweetser :  — 


RECEPTION    HYMN. 

Land  that  our  fathers  trod, 
The  favored  land  of  God, 

Light  of  the  age  ! 
Foul  treason  doth  defame, 
And  with  its  tongue  of  shame 
Becloud  thy  glorious  name, 

Thy  history's  page ! 

Let  selfish  lips  be  dumb, 
Let  patriot  spirits  come, 

The  true  and  brave, 
And  ask  the  mighty  God,  — 
Who,  by  his  chastening  rod, 
D  splays  his  power  abroad,  — 

Our  land  to  save  ! 

May  heaven  our  efforts  bless, 
And  crown  them  with  success, 

Hence,  evermore. 
O  let  our  watchwords  be 
Unio    and  Liberty, 
And  Death  or  Victory, 

Till  time  is  o'er  I 

Joy  for  the  patriot  dead, 
Who  rest  in  glory's  bed  — 

Their  peaceful  home ! 
How  bright  their  virtues  shine 
With  lustre  all  divine  ; 
What  sacred  memories  twine 

Around  their  tomb  !     • 


596  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

How  well  the  heroes  sleep  ! 
Ye,  wlio  in  sadness  weep, 

Trust  in  his  might 
Who  notes  the  sparrow's  fall, 
Whose  love  encircles  all, 
Whose  power  the  dead  shall  call 

To  life  and  light ! 

Through  God's  preserving  care, 
His  bounties  still  we  share, 

And  hither  come 
To  greet  our  sons  who  gave 
Bold  fight  our  land  to  save  ! 
Welcome,  ye  tried  and  brave, 

Thrice  welcome  home ! 

Then  followed  a  poem,  composed  and  delivered  by  John  Sullivan 
Eaton,  Esq.,  full  of  glowing  patriotism  and  sweetly  flowing  rhythm. 


OF   THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  597 

A  short  and  stirring  speech  from  Capt.  Brastow,  of  Somerville, 
music  by  the  band,  and  singing  by  the  children,  concluded  the  public 
exercises  of  the  day. 

In  the  autumn  of  1862,  the  Richardson  Light  Guard  again  came 
forward  and  offered  to  enlist  for  the  nine  months'  service,  were  accepted 
and  went  into  camp  at  Boxford.  Samuel  F.  Littlefield  succeeded 
to  the  command,  in  place  of  H.  D.  Degen,  who  hid  been  chosen  cap- 
tain in  place  of  Capt.  Locke,  but  who  was  subsequently  appointed 
quartermaster  of  the  5oth  Mass.  Reg't,  of  which  regiment  Capt.  Locke 
had  been  chosen  lieutenant-colonel.  This  company  at  this  time  con- 
sisted mainly  of  residents  of  South  Reading,  but  included  members 
from  Lynnfield,  Melrose,  and  some  other  neighboring  towns. 

A  new  company  was  at  this  time  recruited  in  Reading  for  the  same 
nine  months'  service,  the  members  of  which  belonged  principally  in 
Reading,  but  included  recruits  from  North  Reading,  Wilmington,  and 
some  other  places.  This  company  was  commanded  by  Josiah  W. 
Coburn,  of  Reading,  and  also  went  into  camp  at  Boxford. 

Both  companies  were  attached  to  the  5oth  Mass.  Reg't,  and  left 
camp  for  the  seat  of  war  in  November,  1862.  They  were  sent  to 
Louisiana  and  were  joined  to  the  expedition  under  Gen.  Banks. 

They  were  stationed  for  some  time  at  Baton  Rouge,  were  sent  to 
guard  exposed  positions  between  Baton  Rouge  and  Port  Hudson,  and 
engaged  in  various  expeditions  in  the  vicinity  until  May,  when  they 
were  sent  to  Port  Hudson  to  support  the  batteries  in  their  assault  upon 
that  fortress,  and  were  present  at  its  capture.  They  returned  home  in 
August,  1863. 

(See  rolls  of  these  companies  in  this  chapter.) 

In  1864  the  Richardson  Light  Guard  came  forward  for  the  third 
time  in  support  of  the  government,  and  enlisted  for  one  hundred  days, 
and  were  stationed  at  Baltimore  to  protect  that  city  from  the  threat- 
ened raids  of  the  enemy. 

During  the  continuance  of  the  war  the  requisitions,  made  from  time 
to  time  by  government  for  additional  recruits,  were  promptly  complied 
with  by  the  three  towns,  —  the  numbers  furnished  often  exceeding  the 
requisition. 

Efficient  military  or  war  committees  were  appointed  in  the  several 
towns,  with  authority,  at  whatever  cost  to  keep  the  required  quotas  of 
men  constantly  full.  Money  for  the  purpose  was  appropriated  freely 
and  in  full  measure. 

South  Reading  War  Committee:  D.  B.  Wheelock,  Horatio  DolU- 
ver,  John  S.  Eaton,  Edward  Mansfield,  P.  Folsom. 


GENEALOGICAL  hISTCRY 

Reading  War  Committee :  H.  P.  Wakefield,  Sylvester  Harnden, 
E.  M.  Horton,  Gardner  French,  B.  M.  Boyce,  S.  E.  Parker,  and  Wm. 
Proctor. 

The  families  of  the  absent  soldiers  were  liberally  cared  for.  Sol- 
diers' relief  and  sanitary  associations,  male  and  female,  were  formed 
in  the  several  towns,  which  collected  large  sums  of  money  and  many 
necessaries,  which  were  sent  to  the  hospitals  in  various  parts  of  the 
land.  It  is  proper  to  mention,  in  this  connection,  that  Mr.  O.  S.  Moul- 
ton  and  John  Sullivan  Eaton,  Esqs.,  of  South  Reading,  who  were  per- 
forming service  in  the  War  Department  at  Washington,  more  or  less  of 
the  time  during  the  war,  were  very  useful  in  searching  out  and  aiding 
our  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  in  the  various  hospitals  at  and  around 
Washington,  in  dispensing  the  charities  which  our  sanitary  society  had 
raised,  and  in  communicating  the  condition  and  wishes  of  the  sick  and 
dying  heroes  to  their  friends  at  home.  Rev.  Michael  Burdette,  formerly 
of  South  Reading,  an  army  and  hospital  chaplain,  performed  similar 
service  at  New  Orleans. 

Mr.  Eaton,  aforesaid,  being  at  Washington,  at  the  return  of  our  army 
to  the  capital,  en  route  for  home,  after  the  surrender  of  the  enemy, 
enjoyed  the  high  privilege  of  witnessing  the  triumphal  review  of  the 
victorious  troops,  which  he  describes  as  follows  :  — 


MARCHING    HOME. 

Soft  breezes  sweep  the  broad  Potomac  channel, 

Whose  waters  seek  the  bay ; 
And  full,  on  gilded  dome  and  marble  panel, 

Streams  the  clear  sun  of  May. 

Freshly,  along  the  fair  Virginian  border, 

Swing  forest  flower  and  leaf; 
Sadly,  the  ensigns  droop  in  mournful  order, 

For  loss  of  nation's  chief. 

O'er  sunlit  crest,  and  o'er  each  fortress,  guarded, 

The  starry  banner  floats ; 
O'er  cannon,  ranged  along  the  ramparts,  swarded, 

With  silent,  brazen  throats ; 

No  death-notes  from  those  polished  portals  pealing, — 

Their  deadly  duty  done  ; 
The  riven  clouds,  a  peaceful  light  revealing,  — 

And  Freedom's  battle  won. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 

Through  crowded  avenue,  and  laurelled  arches,  — 

'Neath  the  imperial  dome,  — 
With  steady  step,  each  sun-browned  soldier  marches, 

A  conquering  hero,  home. 

With  glad,  triumphal  strains,  and  pennons  streaming. 

Move  on  the  lines  of  steel  ; 
With  glittering  lances,  and  with  sabres  gleaming, 

The  serried  columns  wheel. 

On  far,  historic  fields,  all  battle  shrouded, 

Where  awful  carnage  rolled, 
Bore  they,  unawed,  to  victory  unclouded, 

The  flag  with  stainless  fold ! 

On,  unshrinking,  through  plowed  and  gory  trenches 

Swept  by  the  iron  hail, 
With  a  courage  that  falters  not,  nor  blenches, 

Where  bravest  forms  might  quail,  — 

Right  onward  there,  the  slippery  rampart  scaling  ; 

Across  its  bloody  bars,  — 
Their  breasts,  their  shields  'gainst  deadly  foes  assailing, 

They  bore  the  nation's  stars ! 

'T  is  meet,  within  the  city  of  the  nation, 

Their  standards  they  should  plant ; 
To  soldiers  worn  and  scarred,  —  a  proud  ovation,  — 

And  to  their  leader,  Grant 

Proudly  they  ride  —  the  heroes  of  the  valley, 

Where  crimson  torrents  ran,  — 
Who  'neath  a  peerless  banner  ride  and  rally  — 

The  braves  of  Sheridan  ! 

Proudly  they  come,  —  the  men  who  sang  hosannas, 

As  swept  their  columns  wide, 
With  Sherman,  marching  over  green  savannas, 

To  meet  the  ocean-tide  J 

Proudly  they  march,  —  the  firm  Potomac  legions, 

With  purpose  fixed  as  fates,  — 
Fresh  from  Virginia's  ransomed  regions  ; 

From  Richmond's  open  gates. 

Grandly  they  march,  to  sweet  melodious  measures, 

Proclaiming  war's  release  ; 
These  guardians  of  a  nation's  priceless  treasures, 

These  conquerors  of  peace  ! 


599 


600  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

As  on  the  columns  press,  with  notes  victorious, 

A  shadow  falls  on  me  ; 
The  gallant  heroes  dead,  now  crowned  and  glorious, 

Above  these  lines  I  see  ! 

Above,  in  air,  where  streams  the  sunlight  clearest, 
Those  shadowy  ranks  appear  ; 

And  with  them,  too,  our  latest-lost  and  dearest, 
Bends  from  the  shining  sphere  1 

Weave  for  the  men  so  deathless  deeds  achieving, 
Bright-chaplets,  ne'er  can  dim  1 

Such  laurels  now  the  nation's  love  is  weaving 
For  these,  for  them,  for  him  I 


SOUTH  READING. 

ALPHABETICAL  LIST  OF  PERSONS  WHO  WERE  IN  THE  MILITARY  OR  NAVAL  SER- 
VICE, DURING  THE  WAR  OF  THE  REBELLION,  FROM  SOUTH  READING. 

Abbott,  John,  of  South  Reading,  a  widower,  enlisted  Feb.  14,  1865,  in 
ad  Cavalry. 

Abbott,  Oramel  G.,  of  Reading,  enlisted  April  19,  1861,  in  Co.  E, 
5th  Reg.,  for  three  months,  as  a  private ;  re-enlisted  May  i, 
1861,  in  Co.  D,  5oth  Reg.,  as  2d  Lieut. 

Aborn,  George  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth,  en- 
listed April  19,  1861,  as  Sergt.,  for  three  months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth 
Reg. ;  was  born  May  24,  1834 ;  married ;  taken  prisoner  at  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861,  and  confined  at  Richmond,  Va., 
New  Orleans,  La.,  and  Salisbury,  N.  C. 

Aborn,  Henry,  of  South  Reading,  a  grocer,  brother  ol  the  foregoing, 
was  born  in  South  Reading  in  1831  ;  enlisted  Sept.  1862,  in  Co. 
E,  of  5oth  Reg.,  for  three  months,  as  private ;  was  discharged 
from  the  service  by  reason  of  disability. 

Aborn,  Sylvester  P.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Jotham  and  Rebecca ; 
born  April  5,  1840;  was  a  private  ;  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862,  in  the 
2d  Cavalry ;  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga. 

Aborn,  Warren,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  above  ;  born  Sept. 
27,  1841  ;  was  a  private  and  corporal;  enlisted  July  12,  1861,  for 
three  years,  in  the  i6th  Reg. ;  died  in  service,  at  South  Reading^ 
May  25,  1865. 

Adams,  Charles  W.,  of  South  Reading,  enlisted  Aug.  20,  1864,  in  Co. 
,  K,  of  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 

Adams,  Oliver  S.,  of  Reading,  enlisted  April  19,  1861,  in  the  5th 
Reg.,  as  private,  for  three  months. 

Adams,  Samuel  H.,  a  moulder,  born  1818,  at  Cape  Elizabeth,  Me.; 
enlisted  as  a  private,  July  7,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg.,  for  three  years ; 
was  married  ;  discharged  for  inability,  Aug.  28,  1861. 

Allen,  John  F.,  son  of  John  and  Eunice  ;  born  in  Wilmington ;  was  a 
cordwainer,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  July  8,  1861,  for  three 
years,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. ;  was  private  and  Corporal;  was  taken 
prisoner. 

Alpaugh,  Wm.  E.,  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  of  ist  Batt.  of  Heavy  Artillery. 

Alexander,  John  R,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Sarah ;  born 
in  Boston,  March  3,  1835  ;  was  a  blacksmith ;  married  ;  enlisted 
Sept.  2,  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  H,  26th  Reg.  ;  a  private. 

Anderson,  Charles  E.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth 
F. ;  born  in  Boston,  Nov.  16,  1838;  a  cordwainer;  served  with 
the  Richardson  Light  Guard  in  the  three  months'  campaign ; 
taken  prisoner  May  13, 1863  ;  parolled  after  seven  days;  wounded 
Dec.  13,  1863,  near  Fredericksburg,  in  arm  and  side ;  discharged 
Nov.  1865  ;  re-enlisted  as  Sergeant  in  Vet.  Res.  Corps,  Co.  G,  6th 
Reg. 

Anderson,  J.  Henry,  brother  of  the  preceding ;  born  in  Lynnfield,  Sept. 
24,  1840 ;  enlisted  for  three  months  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  a  cord- 
wainer; re-enlisted,  July  18,  1862,  in  Co.  K,  24th  Reg.;  was 
wounded  in  left  hand  on  Seabrook  Island,  May  3,  1863. 

Andrews,  Eldridge  F.,  of  South  Reading ;  a  mason  ;  enlisted  as  private 
for  three  years,  in  35th  Reg. 

Anderson,  Geo.  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth,  born 
at  Lynnfield ;   enlisted    for    nine  months  in  Co.   E,  5oth  Reg. ; 
private;  died  of  consumption  at  South  Reading,  Sept.  1 6, 1863,  of 
disease  contracted  in  the  service. 

Arlington,  Geo.  B.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  William  ;  joined  Co.  E, 
of  8th  Reg.,  July,  1864,  and  served  100  days. 

Ash,  Robert,  of  ist  Heavy  Artillery. 

Atwood,  Otis  W.,  of  South  Reading  ;  born  in  Lynn ;  private  and  cord- 
wainer; enlisted  Sept.  2,  1861,  for  three  years,  in  ist  Co.  of  Sharp- 
shooters ;  deserted  Sept  17,  1863. 

Atwood,  Parker  S. ;  joined  Co.  E,  8th  Reg.,  July,  1864,  and  served 
100  days. 

Aborn,  Frederic  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Frederick  and  Joanna 
D. ;  born  in  Augusta,  Me.,  in  1830;   enlisted  Aug.  1864,  for  one 
year,  in  Co.  K,  Heavy  Artillery  ;  private  ;  cordwainer. 
76 


502  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Adams,  John  W.,  seaman. 

Batchelder,  Jeremiah  S.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Caro- 
•  line  ;  born  in  North  Hampton,  N.  H.,  in  1834 ;  private ;  carpenter  ; 
enlisted  July,  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg.;  trans- 
ferred to  the  Vet.  Res.  Corps,  Sept.  1863. 

Baldwin,  Thomas;  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  28th  Reg.,  March  21,  1864. 

Barnard,  Benj.  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Jacob  and  Grace;  born  in 
North  Reading,  1829;  merchant;  enlisted  and  served  with  the 
Richardson  Light  Guard  in  the  three  months'  campaign  ;  joined 
Co.  K,  of  23d  Reg.,  as  2d  Lieut.,  for  three  years ;  promoted  to  ist 
Lieut,  in  May,  1862  ;  discharged  in  1863  ;  re-enlisted  as  Quarter- 
master in  59th  Vet.  Reg.,  and  commissioned  ist  Lieut.,  1863. 

Barber,  Thomas,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Abiel  and  Nancy ;  born 
1832,  in  Wickford,  R.  I. ;  enlisted  Sept.,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg.,  for 
nine  months;  re-enlisted  March,  1864,  for  three  years  in  Signal 
Corps,  and  discharged  Aug.  1865,  when  his  services  were  no  longer 
required. 

Bancroft,  Benj.  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Sarah; 
born  in  Reading,  Jan.  18,  1813  ;  enlisted  July,  1861,  for  three 
years,  in  Co.  E,  of  i6th  Reg.,  and  was  discharged  Sept.  1861,  for 
disability. 

Batchelder,  Geo.  W.,  of  Melrose  ;  served  in  the  three  months'  campaign  ; 
enlisted  May,  1861,  in  Co.  E,  of  5th  Reg. 

Barker,  Samuel  S.,  of  Andover,  of  Co.  E,  of  5th  Reg. ;  served  in  the 
three  months'  campaign. 

Baumister,  George.  * 

Beckwith,  Robert  S.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  George  and  Margaret 
S. ;  born  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  March  8,  1840;  carpenter  and 
cordwainer;  enlisted  April,  1861,  in  Co.  E,  of  5th  Reg.,  and 
served  in  the  three  months'  campaign ;  re-enlisted  as  Sergeant,  for 
three  years,  in  Co.  H,  of  2oth  Reg. ;  promoted  July,  1862,  to  be 
2d  Lieut.  ;  was  wounded  at  Fredericksburg,  Dec.  13,  1862  ;  died 
of  his  wounds,  Dec.  31,  1862,  and  was  buried  at  South  Reading; 
a  talented  young  officer. 

Blakney,  Tho.  B.,  of  South  Reading;  born* in  1838;  enlisted  July 
1 86 1,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  I,  nth  Reg. ;  mustered  out  in  1864. 

Bladden,  Thomas,  of  South  Reading  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  enlisted  in  Co. 
E,  of  69th  Reg. 

Bickford,  Charles  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Charles  and  Mary ;  born 
in  Wakefield,  N.  H.,  in  1830 ;  enlisted  July,  1861,  for  three  years, 
in  Co.  E,  1 6th  Reg. ;  re-enlisted  April,  1864 ;  transferred  to  Vet. 
Res.  Corps  in  Sept.  1863. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  603 

Bixby,  Hiram,  of  South  Reading  ;  served  in  the  three  months'  campaign 
in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  a  private. 

Bond,  James,  Jr.,  of  South  Reading;  born  in  England  in  1832  ;  enlisted 
Dec.  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. ;  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  2,  1863,  and  died  in  consequence  of  the 
wound,  July  26,  1863  ;  a  private  ;  farmer  ;  married. 

Brooks,  Albert  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Franklin  and  Rebecca  A.  ; 
born  in  Boston  in  1835  >  married  ;  a  clerk ;  enlisted  July,  1861,  in 
Co.  D,  i3th  Reg.,  for  three  years ;  transferred  July,  1864,  to 
39th  Reg. 

Bruce,  Clarence  M.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Nathaniel  F. ;  born  in 
South  Reading  in  1842  ;  enlisted  for  three  years,  in  Co.  E,  i6th 
Reg.;  transferred  to  nth  Mass.  Battalion;  re-enlisted,  1864;  a 
private  and  clerk. 

Bruce,  Jasper  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Nath'l ;  enlisted  in  1862 
for  9  months  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. 

Brazell,  Patrick,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  in  1864  for  3  years  in 
1 2th  Battery. 

Bryant,  Wm.  C.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Hannah; 
was  b.  at  South  Reading  1821 ;  enlisted  as  an  artificer  in  1862  in 
Co.  L,  ist  Heavy  Artillery ;  mustered  out  August,  1865,  and  re- 
enlisted. 

Bryant,  Wm.  Wallace,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Wm.  C.  aforesaid, 
and  Ellen;  b.  in  South  Reading,  March  12,  1845  ;  a  private;  was 
mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  and  d.  in  hos- 
pital in  Washington  city  ;  funeral  at  South  Reading  ;  single. 

Brown,  Wm.  B.,  of  South  Reading  ;  m. ;  b.  in  South  Reading  in  1815  ; 
enlisted  in  Co.  B,  of  24th  Reg. 

Bridger,  Wm.  J.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Wm.  and  Mary,  b.  in  Eng- 
land in  1832  ;  private;  cordwainer;  enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  C,  32d 
Reg.,  for  3  years  ;  discharged  1862,  for  disability ;  re-enlisted  in 
i2th  Reg.  Vet.  Reserve  Corps,  in  1864;  married. 

Britton,  Wm.  B.  ;  enlisted  in  ist  Battery  of  Heavy  Artillery. 

Burditt,  James  A.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Aaron  (Jr.)  and  Mary; 
b.  in  Providence,  R*.  I.,  in  1837 ;  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  of  5th  Reg., 
for  3  months  ;  re-enlisted  for  9  months  in  the  5oth  Reg. ;  served 
with  100  days'  men  in  Co.  E,  of  8th  Reg. ;  was  Corporal,  Sergeant, 
and  2d  Lieut. 

Burditt,  Geo.  A.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Geo.  and  Fidelia  W.  ;  b. 
in  South  Reading  in  1844  ;  private  and  cordwainer ;  enlisted  for 
3  months  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. 


604 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


Burditt,  John  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of.  Nathan  and  Sophronia ; 
b.  in  South  Reading,  1829  ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  D,  i3th 
Reg. ;  single  ;  private  ;  cordwainer. 

Burditt,  Aaron,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Aaron  and  Sally  ;  born  in 
South  Reading,  1841 ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  E,  of  i6th 
Reg. ;  died  of  fever  in  the  hospital  at  Long  Island,  New  York, 
July  12,  1862  ;  was  a  private  ;  single;  cordwainer. 

Burditt,  Charles  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Aaron  and  Sally  ;  born 
in  South  Reading,  January,  1837  ;  private  ;  enlisted  July,  1861, 
for  three  years  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. ;  died  April  26,  1864. 

Burditt,  Geo.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Michael  and  Polly ;  born  in 
South  Reading;  was  a  Corporal ;  enlisted,  September,  1861,  for 
three  years  in  2d  Co.  (22d  Reg.)  of  Sharpshooters ;  discharged 
for  disability. 

Burnham,  James  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Joseph  and  Ruth ; 
born  in  South  Reading ;  farmer,  and  married ;  enlisted  Decem- 
ber, 1 86 1,  in  Co.  D,  24th  Reg.,  for  three  years,  and  served  his 
full  time. 

Buxton,  Elijah ;  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  ist  Batt.  off  Heavy  Artillery. 

Butler,  Wm.,  of  South  Reading;  son  of  Aaron  and  Sally;  born  in 
South  Reading,  April,  1830 ;  a  private ;  enlisted  August,  1864,  in 
Co.  K,  of  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 

Bryan,  Nichols ;  a  seaman,  and  substitute  for  John  G.  Aborn. 

Butler,  Henry;  served  with  the  100  days'  men;  son  of  Aaron  and 
Sally,  of  South  Reading. 

Bryant,  Eugene  C.,  son  of  Wm.  C.  aforesaid,  of  South  Reading ;  born 
in  South  Reading;  served  with  the  100  days'  men. 

Caldwell,  Geo.  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Geo.  M. ;   enlisted  in 

1861,  in  nth  Reg. 

Carey,  Daniel,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Zenas  and  Susan  ;  born  in 
Bethel,  Me.,  1830;  enlisted  in  1865  in  Co.  C,  of  Cavalry,  and 
served  at  the  northern  frontier ;  a  private. 

Carey,  Geo.  E.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Gilman ;  served  with  the  100 
days'  men. 

Carter,  Geo.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Charles  ;  born  in  Baltimore, 
Md.  ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. ;  discharged 
for  disability ;  re-enlisted  in  1862,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg.,  for  nine 
months,  and  served  also  with  the  100  days'  men. 

Cartwright,  Joseph,  of  South  Reading  ;  a  tinman  ;  private  ;    enlisted, 

1862,  in  Co.  E,  of  5oth  Reg.,  for  nine  months. 
Cassidy,  Joseph  H.  ;  a  seaman. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  605 

Chandler,  Geo.  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  James  and  Deborah ; 
born  in  Duxbury  in  1819;  married;  enlisted,  1861,  for  three 
years,  in  Co.  I,  nth  Reg.,  September,  1864;  re-enlisted,  Sept 
1864,  in  Co.  A,  i3th  Regt.,  in  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  ;  died  Feb. 
19,  1865,  at  Galloupe's  Island,  in  Boston  Harbor. 

Chandler,  Geo.  E.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Geo.  H.  aforesaid,  and 
Augusta  M. ;  born  in  Duxbury  in  1846 ;  enlisted,  1864,  for  three 
years  in  Signal  Corps;  discharged,  1865,  at  New  Orleans,  La., for 
disability. 

Chandler,  Geo.  D.,  of  South  Reading ;  drummer ;  enlisted  for  three 
years  in  35th  Reg. 

Chambers,  Wm.,  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  iyth  Reg. 

Chapman,  Richard  W.,  of  So.  Reading,  son  of  Stephen  and  Hannah 
W. ;  born  in  Marblehead,  July,  1834 ;  enlisted  July,  1861,  for  three 
years,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. ;  was  killed  in  battle  May  3,  1863  ;  a 
private ;  single. 

Cheney,  Charles  H.  R.,  of  So.  Reading ;  boot  and  shoe  dealer ;  son  of 
Daniel  and  Mahala ;  born  in  Bristol,  N.  H.,  Jan.  13,  1827;  en- 
listed in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery,  for  one  year ;  married. 

Churchill,  Henry  D.,  of  So.  Reading  ;  single ;  enlisted  Aug.  1864,  for 
one  year,  in  Co.  K,  of  4th  Heavy  Artillery ;  discharged  May,  1865, 
for  disability. 

Clark,  John  J.,  of  South  Reading;  laborer;  married;  enlisted  1861, 
for  three  years,  in  Co.  E,  nth  Reg. 

Clerk,  Geo.  W.,  of  So.  Reading,  son  of  Samuel  B.  and  Catherine  D. ; 
born  in  Boston,  April  5,  1845  ;  private ;  single  ;  enlisted  for  three 
years,  in  Co.  I,  2oth  Reg.,  and  was  discharged  for  inability ;  re- 
enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  B,  4th  Cavalry. 

demons,  John  H.,  of  So.  Reading,  son  of  Robert  M.  and  Olive  T. ; 
born  in  Deerfield,  N.  H.,  Jan.  1841 ;  private ;  cordwainer ;  en- 
listed 1862,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg.  ;  discharged  Dec. 
1862,  for  disability,  and  died  at  So.  Reading,  Aug.  4,  1863. 

Clemons,  Charles  E.,  of  So.  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named ;  born 
in  Andover;  a  private,  and  cordwainer;  enlisted  1861,  for  three 
years,  in  2d  Co.  of  Sharpshooters  in  22d  Reg.  ;  was  discharged 
for  disability. 

Clifford,  Leonard,  of  So.  Reading ;  married  to  Eliza  N.  Hartshorn  ; 
enlisted  July,  1861,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. ;  died  of  disease  Aug.  7, 
1862. 

Clifford,  Shurburn,  of  igth  Reg. ;  a  recruit. 

Colby,  Geo.,  of  the  100  days'  Volunteers. 


606         ,  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Coleman,  Stephen,  of  South  Reading,  of  the  64th  Col'd  Reg.  of  U.  S. 
Infantry ;  a  representative  recruit  for  Mrs.  Betsey  (Tho.)  Emerson. 

Collins,  James,  of  South  Reading ;  born  in  Ireland  in  1833  ;  enlisted 
July,  1861,  in  Co.  F,  i6th  Reg.,  for  three  years  ;  discharged  in 
1862  for  disability;  re-enlisted  Dec.  1863,  in  Co.  A,  5gth  Reg. 

Collins,  John,  of  South  Reading ;  born  in  Ireland ;  enlisted  in  Co.  K, 
22d  Reg.,  for  three  years  ;  private  ;  single  ;  laborer. 

Coney,  John  S.,  of  North  Reading ;  private  ;  enlisted  April,  1861,  for 
three  months,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.  ;  mustered  out  July,  1861  ;  re- 
enlisted  as  ist  Lieut,  in  Co.  D,  of  5oth  Reg. 

Conway,  Daniel,  of  South  Reading ;  born  in  Ireland ;  private  ;  single  ; 
enlisted  for  three  years  in  28th  Reg. 

Conway,  Arthur,  of  South  Reading  ;  born  in  Ireland ;  married ;  en- 
listed in  Co.  I,  1 6th  Reg.,  for  three  years  ;  was  killed  in  battle. 

Cook,  Geo.  F.,  of  South  Reading  ;  single  ;  drummer ;  born  in  1846  ; 
enlisted  in  Co.  G,  i3th  Reg.,  for  three  years ;  discharged  in  1862 
for  disability. 

Cook,  Jona.  J.,  of  Reading ;  a  private  ;  enlisted  for  three  months,  in 
Co.  E,  of  5th  Reg. 

Coombs,  Tho.  W.,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  as  a  Sergeant  in  1861, 
in  Co.  F,  1 6th  Reg. ;  born  in  England  ;  cordwainer;  was  wounded 
in  a  skirmish  at  Woodlawn,  near  Fair  Oaks,  June  18,  1862  ;  was  hit 
three  times ;  discharged  for  disability  Feb.  1863  ;  re-enlisted  Dec. 
1863,  in  Co.  A,  5Qth  Reg. 

Coon,  Wm.  L.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Phillippa ;  born  in 
Charlestown,  Dec.  25,  1842  ;  a  mechanic ;  single  ;  enlisted  1862, 
in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg.,  for  nine  months ;  served  also  with  the  100 
days'  Volunteers. 

Cooper,  R.  L.,  of  South  Reading ;  a  private  ;  married  ;  enlisted  1862, 
in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg.,  for  nine  months. 

Corey,  Henry  H.,  of  South  Reading  ;  private  of  2d  Cavalry. 

Cowdrey,  John,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Cowdrey,  of 
Stoneham ;  born  in  1822  ;  a  cordwainer;  enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  E, 
i6th  Reg.,  for  three  years,  as  Sergeant;  was  killed  in  battle,  Aug. 
29,  1862,  at  Kettle  Run,  near  Bull  Run,  Va. 

Cowdrey,  Nathaniel,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  last  mentioned  ;  a 
musician;  married;  enlisted  in  1861,  in  igth  Reg.,  for  three 
years ;  was  discharged  in  1864  for  disability ;  re-enlisted  in  4th 
Mass.  Battery. 

Cowdrey,  Wm.  F.,  of  Stoneham  ;  private  ;  married  ;  enlisted  in  1864, 
in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 


Of   THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 

Craskie,  Frank,  of  South  Reading,  of  4th  Colored  U.  S.  Infantry ;  rep- 
resentative recruit  for  Daniel  Allen,  of  South  Reading. 

Currier,  Horace  P.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Hannah  ;  born 
at  Lyman,  Me.,  1831  ;  a  grocer;  married;  enlisted  1861,  as  wag- 
oner in  Co.  D,  1 3th  Reg.,  for  three  years. 

Danforth,  Albert  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Stearns  and  Sophronia 
G. ;  born  in  Billerica,  SepL  17,  1835  >  private  ;  cordwainer  ;  en- 
listed Aug.  1864,  for  one  year  in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery; 
discharged  June,  1865,  for  disability. 

Danforth,  Alfred  W.,  of  South  Reading,  a  clerk  ;  enlisted  Sept.  1862, 
for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. ;  served  also  with  the  one 
hundred  days'  volunteers  in  1864. 

Danforth,  Robt  K.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Stearns  and  Sophronia; 
born  in  Charlestown,  1833  ;  enlisted  1864  for  one  year  in  Co.  C, 
ist  Battery  of  Heavy  Artillery  ;  served  also  with  the  one  hundred 
days'  volunteers  ;  was  Corporal ;  served  previously  in  ist  Massa- 
chusetts Infantry,  from  Woburn. 

Davis,  Charles  Horton,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Charles ;  enlisted 
1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. ;  re-enlisted  1864,  for 
one  year,  in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery  ;  a  carpenter ;  born  in 
South  Reading  in  1827  ;  was  a  Corporal,  and  married. 

Davis,  John,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Margaret ;  born  in 
Gloucester  in  1829  ;  enlisted  1864  in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery, 
for  one  year ;  was  a  Corporal,  and  married. 

Day,  Benj.  I.,  of  South  Reading ;  served  with  the  one  hundred  days'  men. 

Day,  Joseph  L.,  o  South  Reading ;  served  with  the  one  hundred  days' 
men. 

Day,  John,  of  South  Reading ;  born  at  Wilmington  ;  a  stable  keeper ; 
enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg.;  Sergeant;  married;  dis- 
charged 1862,  for  disability. 

Day,  Jerome,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Benj.  B.  and  Frances ;  born  in 
Melrose  ;  of  24th  Reg.,  for  three  years. 

Deaclman,  Wm.  D ,  of  South  Reading  ;  son  of  William,  Jr.,  and  Ruth  ; 
born  in  South  Reading,  1843  ;  private  and  butcher  ;  enlisted  1862, 
in  Co.  E,  of  5oth  Reg.,  for  nine  months  ;  single  ;  served  also  with 
the  one  hundred  days'  men  in  1864. 

Dearborn,  Stanley  B.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Nathl.  S.  and  Mary ; 
born  in  Boston  in  1845  ;  private  ;  single  ;  enlisted  1863,  in  Co.  L, 
ist  Heavy  Artillery ;  wounded  in  the  arm  near  Poplar  Church,  Va. 

Dearing,  John,  of  gth  Reg. 

Dean,  Martin  P.,  of  South  Reading,  of  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 


608  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Degen,  H.  D.,  of  South  Reading  ;  son  of  Rev.  Henry  V.  and  Eliza  J., 
born  in  New  York  city  in  1832  ;  a  merchant ;  enlisted  in  1862  ; 
for  nine  months  in  Co.  E  of  5oth  Reg.;  was  ist  Lieut,  and  Quar- 
termaster ;  had  been  Capt.  of  the  Richardson  Light  Guard. 

Dickey,  Neal  G.,  of  South  Reading ;  enlisted  in  3gth  Reg.,  for  three 
years. 

Dickson,  A.  L. 

Dix,  Joseph  O,  of  South  Reading  ;  son  of  Benjamin  and  Susan  ;  born 
in  Salem  1809 ;  enlisted  for  three  months  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  re- 
enlisted  1862,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg.,  for  nine  months,  for  Melrose  ; 
a  private  and  carpenter ;  widower. 

Dolan,  Thomas,  of  South  Reading ;  enlisted  1864,  in  2d  Cavalry. 

Dow,  Andrew,  Jr.,  of  Stoneham  ;  son  of  David ;  born  in  Warren,  N. 
H.,  1829  ;  married  ;  a  private  ;  enlisted  1864,  for  one  year,  in  Co. 
K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 

Dow,  Charles  M.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Milo ;    single ;  enlisted 

1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  B,  of  23d  Reg. ;  died  at  Newburn, 
N.  C.,  June  4,  1863. 

Doyle,  Cornelius,  of  South  Reading ;  a  laborer ;  born  in  Ireland  ; 
enlisted  for  three  years  in  35th  Reg. 

Draper,  James  D.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Rufus  F.  and  Polly ;  born 
Oct.  4,  1827  or  1828;  cordwainer  and  married;  served  as  2d 
Lieut,  in  Co.  E,  of  5th  Reg.,  in  three  months'  campaign ;  enlisted 

1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E,  of  5oth  Reg.,  as  2d  Lieut. ;  was 
wounded  at  siege  of  Port  Hudson ;    re-enlisted  in  ist  Battalion 
of  Heavy  Artillery  as  Corp. 

Draper,  Rufus  F.,  of  South  Reading  ;  son  of  Rufus  F.  and  Mary  ;  born 
in  South  Reading  in  1838;  enlisted  1862,  in  Co.  E,  of  5oth  Regt, 
for  nine  months  ;  was  a  Corporal ;  served  also  with  one  hundred 
days'  men. 

Drake,  Alvin,  Jr.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Alvin  ;  born  in  South  Bos- 
ston,  in  1832;  cordwainer;  drummer;  enlisted  1861,  for  three 
months,  in  Co.E,  of  soth  Regiment ;  re-enlisted  Dec.  1861,  in  igth 
Regiment,  for  three  years  ;  discharged  in  April,  1864,  for  disability ; 
re-enlisted  1864,  in  U.  S.  Signal  Corps. 

Duffin,  Thomas,  of  South  Reading;  born  in  Ireland  in  1841  ;  enlisted 
1862,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  H,  of  2oth  Reg. ;  was  discharged  at 
Stevensburg,  Va.,  March  28,  1864,  by  reason  of  re-enlistment ; 
private  ;  shoemaker ;  single. 

Dunn,  Edward  D.,  of  South  Reading  ;  son  of  Henry  and  Aurelia  ;  born 
in  South  Reading  in  1848;  private;  single;  teamster;  enlisted  in 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


609 


1865,  in    igth  Reg.  ;  died  at  Galloupe's  Island,   Boston  Harbor, 
Feb.  9,  1865. 

Dunn,  Horace  H.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named,  born 
at  South  Reading  1845  ;  single  ;  clerk ;  enlisted  1863  in  ist  Bat- 
talion Heavy  Artillery ;  transferred  to  the  Navy  in  Sept.  1863 ; 
deserted. 

Dyer,  Wm.  P.,  married;  enlisted  for  three  years  (in  1863)  in  Co.  B, 
ist  Battalion  Heavy  Artillery. 

Eager,  Alexander,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  James  and  Julia;  born  in 
Ireland  ;  a  seaman. 

Eaton,  Abijah  A.,  of  Reading;  a  private;  enlisted  1861  for  three 
months,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. 

Eaton,  John  Henry,  of  South  Reading  ;  son  of  Lt.  John  and  Mary  W. ; 
born  in  South  Reading;  single;  expressman;  enlisted  1861  in 
Co.  E,  1 6th  Reg.,  for  three  years,  and  served  his  three  years. 

Eaton,  Everett  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Lilley  and  Eliza  N.  Eaton  ; 
born  in  South  Reading  July  9,  1835 ;  single  ;  served  as  commis- 
sary clerk  under  Col.  Beckwith,  Commissary  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  under  Capt.  T.  E.  Berrier,  Commissary  of  Subsistence ; 
went  with  him  to  Centreville  and  Manassas ;  was  at  Fort  Runyon 
three  or  four  months  ;  was  at  Alexandria  when  that  place  was  head- 
quarters of  the  Reserve  Army  Corps  under  Gen.  Sturgis  two 
months ;  went  with  Sturgis  to  the  field,  and  was  in  Pope's  retreat ; 
then  served  with  Capt.  Knowles,  Commissary  Subsistence,  in 
Maryland  campaign,  under  Gen.  Humphrey  ;  accompanied  the 
army  on  the  march  to  the  Rappahannock ;  was  at  the  battle  of 
Antietam  ;  was  taken  sick  and  came  home. 

Eaton,  John,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  ;  born  in 
South  Reading,  in  1813  ;  married  ;  expressman  ;  enlisted  1861,  as 
2d  Lieut,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. ;  resigned  and  discharged  1862. 

Eaton,  John  Smith,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Zenas  and  Lois  S. ;  born 
in  South  Reading,  Oct.  30,  1827  ;  enlisted  for  nine  months  in  Co, 
E,  5oth  Reg.,  as  Corporal ;  a  cordwainer,  and  married. 

Eaton,  Chester  Williams,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Lilley  and  Eliza  N., 
born  in  South  Reading,  Jan.  13,  1839;  single;  student  at  law; 
enlisted  in  1862  for  nine  months  in  Co.  E,  5<Dth  Reg. ;  served  as 
Quartermaster's  clerk  ;  was  at  the  taking  of  Port  Hudson. 

Eaton,  Edward,  of  South  Reading ;  son  of  Noah  and  Hannah  W. ; 
born  in  Cambridgeport  in  1844  ^single  ;  enlisted  1862,  in  Co.  L, 
ist  Heavy  Artillery ;  served  as  musician. 

Eaton,  Noah  Martin,  of  South  Reading ;  brother  of  the  last  named  ; 
77 


6lQ  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

born  in  South  Reading  in  1832  ;  married  ;  enlisted  1864,  for  one 
year,  in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 

Eaton,  Victor,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born  in 
Cambridgeport  in  1840 ;  single ;  enlisted  1862  for  three  years  in 
Co.  C,  24th  Regiment,  as  a  private;  re-enlisted  1864;  wounded  in 
the  hand  near  Richmond,  Oct.  14,  1864. 

Eaton,  David,  of  South  Reading ;  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  served 
with  the  100  days'  men. 

Eaton,  Walter  Sullivan,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  Sullivan  and 
Harriet  W. ;  born  in  South  Reading,  Aug  u,  1847;  private  and 
clerk  ;  single  ;  was  detailed  as  clerk  at  Gen.  Canby's  head-quarters 
at  New  Orleans,  La.,  Jan.  1865  ;  was  present  at  the  taking  of 
Mobile,  Ala.,  April  n,  1865  ;  now  in  Treasury  Department,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C. 

Eaton,  Jacob  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Zenas  and  Lois  S.;  born  in 
South  Reading,  1834 ;  private  ;  married  ;  was  of  the  4th  Cavalry. 

Edmands,  Consider,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Rodney  and  Mary  W. ; 
enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  I,  of  nth  Reg.,  for  three  years;  was  killed 
Aug.  29,  1862,  near  Bull  Run;  was  born  in  Saugus  1843. 

Edmands,  Rodney,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Wm.  and  Ruth ;  born  in 
Chelsea  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  I,  of  nth  Reg.,  and 
discharged  in  1863,  for  disability;  re-enlisted  in  1864,  in  Co.  E,  of 
59th  Reg. 

Edwards,  John,  of  South  Reading  ;  single  ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in 
nth  Reg. 

Ellis,  Geo.  W.,  of  Co.  G,  35th  Reg. ;  was  killed  Sept.  7,  1863. 

Emerson,  Charles  Stillman,  of  South  Reading;  son  of  Abraham  and 
Mary  B. ;  born  in  South  Reading,  Aug.  12,  1829;  enlisted  1862, 
for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. ;  married  about  the  time  of 
enlistment,  to  Hannah  Emmons. 

Emerson,  John  Henry,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  nd  Lucretia  ; 
born  in  South  Reading,  July,  1826 ;  private  and  married ;  enlisted 
in  1864,  in  Co.  K,  of  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 

Emerson,  Thomas  Albert,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Thomas,  Jr.,  and 
Emily  M.  ;  born  in  South  Reading,  Dec.  27,  1840 ;  a  graduate  of 
Yale  College  ;  enlisted  1863,  as  A.  A.  Paymaster,  with  rank  of 
Lieut.,  on  board  U.  S.  brig  "  Perry "  ;  service  at  Port  Royal,  S. 
C.,  six  months;  on  blockade  off  Charleston,  S.  C.,  one  month  ;  at 
Fernandina,  Fla.,  sixteen  months. 

Estes,  O'Neal  J.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Enoch  and  Betsey ;  born  in 
Bethel,  Me.,  in  1836  ;  private  and  single  ;  enlisted  1862,  for  nine 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 

months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. ;  died  of  fever  at  Baton  Rouge,  La., 
May  12,  1863. 

Eustis,  Henry  W.,  of  South  Reading  ;  son  of  James  and  Susan  J. ; 
born  in  South  Reading,  Feb.  27,  1835;  married;  a  private; 
enlisted  for  three  months  in  1861,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  re-enlisted 
in  1864,  for  three  years,  in  U.  S.  Signal  Corps. 

Eustis,  Joseph  S.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born 
in  South  Reading,  Aug.  26,  1833  ;  single ;  a  private  ;  enlisted  for 
three  months  in  1861,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.,  and  was  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Bull  Run ;  re-enlisted  1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co. 
E,  soth  Reg. 

Evans,  Tho.  Asaph,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Asaph  and  Lucinda ; 
born  in  South  Reading  in  1831 ;  private;  teamster;  single ;  enlisted 
for  three  years  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. 

Evans,  Wm.  O.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named ;  born  in 
South  Reading  in  1834  ;  private  ;  married ;  enlisted  for  one  year, 
in  5th  Battery. 

Evans,  Charles  A.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named ;  born 
in  South  Reading  in  1838;  private;  mason;  married;  enlisted 
1862,  three  years,  in  Co.  K,  of  23d  Reg. 

Evans,  Henry  H.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born 
in  South  Reading  in  1841 ;  drafted ;  married  ;  was  in  Co.  E,  of 
i6th  Reg. ;  transferred  in  1864  to  the  nth  Mass.  Battalion. 

Fairbanks,  Zephaniah  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Lewis  and  Martha ; 
born  in  Chelsea  in  1838  ;  a  saloon  keeper ;  married  ;  enlisted  in 
1 86 1,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  G,  24th  Reg. ;  acted  as  cook. 

Fairbanks,.  James  M*.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named ; 
born  in  South  Reading  in  1840;  painter;  private;  enlisted  in 
1861  in  Co.  E,  of  5th  Reg.,  fop  three  months  ;  re-enlisted  1862,  for 
three  years,  in  Co.  G,  24th  Reg.;  re-enlisted  in  1864,  and  trans- 
ferred to  Co.  D. 

Fay,  Patrick,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Patrick  and  Margaret ;  born  in 
Ireland  in  1826  ;  private  and  Sergeant ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three 
years,  in  Co.  I,  of  i6th  Reg.;  was  transferred  in  1864  to  nth 
Mass.  Battalion ;  married. 

Felton,  A.  P.,  of  South  Reading  ;  married ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in 
Co.  B,  22d  Reg. 

Flanders,  Alexander,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Levi ;  born  in  South 
Reading;  enlisted  in  1863  as  a  private  in  ist  Heavy  Artillery ; 
severely  wounded  at  South  Side  Railroad,  Va.,  at  the  battle  of 
Poplar  Spring  Church,  Oct.  2,  1864;  was  discharged  for  disa- 
bility ;  re-enlisted  in  the  Regular  Army  in  1865. 


6l2  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Fletcher,  Charles  N.,  of  Reading;   enlisted,  1861,  for  three  months,  in 

Co.  E,  5th  Regt.  it/ 

Fogg,  Lewis,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Ransom  and  Hannah ;  born  in 

South  Braintree  in  1839  ;  enlisted,  1865,  in  Frontier  Cavalry. 
Folsom,  Edward  Channing,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Peter  and  Emily  ; 

born  in  Grey,  Me.,  1845  ;  a  private  and  single ;  enlisted,  1864,  for 

three  years,  in  Signal  Corps  ;  discharged,  1865,  for  disability ;  now 

a  physician  in  Washington,  D.  C. 
Forbes,  Patrick,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Michael ;   born  in  Ireland, 

1845  ;  a  private ;  enlisted,   1864,  for  one  year,  in  3d  He. ivy  Ar- 
tillery. 

Forrest,  John,  of  South  Reading  ;  served  with  the  100  days'  men. 
Foster,  Aaron  Augustus,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Aaron  and  Abigail ; 

born  at  South  Reading,  May  23,  1833  ;  a  printer;    enlisted  as  a 

private,   1863,  for  three  years,  in   Co.   C,   2d   Heavy  Artillery ; 

married. 
Foster,  Clarence  P.,  of  South  Reading,  half-brother  of  the  last  named; 

served  with  the  100  days'  men. 
Foster  Davis,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Russell  and  Sophia  ;    born  in 

South    Reading;    enlisted,    1861,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.,  for  three 

months  ;  re-enlisted,  1861,  for  three  years,  in  24th  Reg. ;    was  2d 

Lieut,  in  1863  ;  ist  Lieut,  in  1864;  Captain  and  Major. 
Fowle,  Clifford  B.,  of  South  Reading ;   married  ;   a  private  ;    enlisted, 

1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. ;  died  July  3,  1864. 
Freeman,  Barnard,  of  South  Reading ;  married  ;  enlisted  in  24th  Reg.  ; 

was  wounded  by  the  accidental  discharge  of  gun,  and  transferred 

to  Vet.  Res.  Corps. 
Fifield,  Charles  A.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Abraham  and  Betsey  ; 

born  in  Lowell,  1834;  single;  *a  moulder;  enlisted,  1864,  for  one 

year,  in  Co.  K,  of  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 
Fisk,  Joseph  A.,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  1862,  for  nine  months,  in 

Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. ;  discharged  at  New  Orleans,  1863,  for  disability. 
Foster,  Franklin  H.,  son  of  Aaron  ;  enlisted  in  gth  N.  H.  Reg. ;  died 

in  Salisbury  prison  Dec.  14,  1864. 
Garland,  Wingate,  of  South  Reading  ;   a  private  in  4th  Cavalry ;    was 

taken  prisoner  and  sent  to   Andersonville,  where  he  died,  Feb. 

1865. 
Gihon,  Edward,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John ;   born  in  Ireland  in 

1835;  a  cordwainer,  and  married;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  years, 

in  Co.  D,  28th  Reg.  ;  re-enlisted. 
Gilman,  Geo.  K.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  ;  born  in 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 

Tamworth,  N.  H.,  in  1835  ;  was  Corporal ;  enlisted  1862,  for  nine 

months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg.  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant. 
Greggs,  James  H.,  of  Reading;  enlisted  for  three  months,  in  1861,  in 

Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle 

of  Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861. 
Green,  Geo.  Henry,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Reuben  and  Lydia ;  born 

in  Maiden  in  1836  ;   enlisted  as  corporal  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.,  for 

three  months ;  re-enlisted  for  nine  months  in  Co.  E,  of  5oth  Reg. ; 

died  at  sea,  while  en  route  for  New  Orleans. 
Green,  Edward  Isaac,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Isaac ;  born  in  South 

Reading ;  enlisted  in  26.  Co.,  226.  Reg.,  Sharpshooters,  fo    three 

years. 
Green,  Patrick,  of  South  Reading ;  enlisted  in  1864,  for  one  year,  in  3d 

Heavy  Artillery. 
Godfrey,  Warren  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Enos  and  Leliance  ;  born 

in  Brewster  in  1833  ;  enlisted  1864,  in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery, 

for  one  year ;  private  ;  married. 
Goodwin,  Andrew,  of  South  Reading;    enlisted  1864,  for  one  year,  in 

Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery  ;  married,  and  a  private. 
Hart,  J.  Frank,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Charles  and  Martha  S. ;  born 

in  South  Reading  in  1844  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co. 

E,  5th  Reg.  ;  re-enlisted  in  ist  Reg.  of  Heavy  Artillery. 
Hart,  Howard  C-,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Charles  and  Martha  S.  ; 

born  in  South  Reading  in  1841  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  years, 

in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg.  ;  transferred  in  1864  to  nth  Battalion;   re- 
enlisted  1865,  in  Co.  D,  Frontier  Cavalry. 
Hart,  David  A.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Charles  and  Martha  S. ;  born 

in   South  Reading  in   1846;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  years,  in 

the  24th  Reg. ;  transferred  in  1863  to  Vet.  Res.  Corps ;  promoted 

to  corporal ;  re-enlisted  in  1864. 
Hart,  Charles,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Joseph  and  Betsey ;   born  in 

Lynnfield  in  1807  ;  father  of  the  foregoing;   enlisted  in  Co.  L,  of 

ist  Heavy  Artillery;  teamster. 
Hartshorn,  Oliver  S.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Thomas  S. ;  was  of  8th 

Reg. ;  died  June  21,  1865,  of  disease  contracted  in  the  service. 
Hart,  John  F.,  of  South  Reading  ;    son  of  Harfield  ;    born  in  South 

Reading;  enlisted  in  1864,  and  served  with  the  106  days'  volun- 
teers. 
Hartwell,  Abner  A.,  of  Reading;  enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  E,  of  5th  Reg., 

for  three  months. 
Hartshorn  Charles  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  James  and  Mary;  born 


614  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

in  South  Reading  in  1835  ;  enlisted  1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co. 
E,  5oth  Reg. ;  was  Corporal  and  Sergeant. 

Hartshorn,  Jeremiah  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Caro- 
line; born  in  South  Reading  July  4,  1832  ;  enlisted  in  1864,  for 
three  years,  in  Signal  Corps. 

Harnden,  James,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Samuel  and  Nancy ;  born  in 
1835  ;  enlisted  1864,  for  one  year,  in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 

Harmers, . 

Harrington,  Charles  T.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Peter  and  Caroline  ; 
born  in  Watertown  in  1838;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in 
Co.  E,  of  5th  Reg.;  re-enlisted  for  nine  months,  in  1862,  in  Co. 
E,  of  soth  Reg. 

Hall,  Frank,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Prentice  and  Clarissa ;  born  in 
South  Reading ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  H,  24th  Reg.,  and 
re-enlisted  ;  was  a  drummer. 

Hangle,  William,  of  South  Reading  ;  born  in  Ireland;  enlisted  1861, 
for  three  years,  in  Co.  D,  gth  Reg. 

Haggerty,  Timo.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Daniel ;  enlisted  in  Co.  A, 
35th  Reg.,  for  three  years. 

Hamilton,  Robert,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Hans  and  Mary  ;  born  in 
Brookfield,  N.  S.,  in  1840 ;  enlisted  in  1862,  for  nine  months,  in 
Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. ;  died  at  South  Reading,  Sept.  27,  1864,  of  dis- 
ease contracted  in  the  service. 

Hamblin,  Wm.  A.,  of  South  Reading  ;  born  in  Boston ;  enlisted  1864, 
in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery,  for  one  year. 

Haskell,  Henry  L.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  George  and  Lucy  E. ;  born 
in  Gloucester  in  1837  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  K, 
23d  Reg. 

Hawkes,  Francis,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Davis  W.  and  Lucretia ; 
born  in  South  Reading  in  1836  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  in  2d  Co.  of  22d 
Reg.  of  Sharpshooters,  for  three  years. 

Hawkes,  John,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Adam  and  Patty ;  born  in 
South  Reading  in  1828 ;  enlisted  in  1862,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg.,  for 
nine  months;  re-enlisted  in  1864,  for  one  year,  in  Co.  K,  of  Heavy 
Artillery. 

Hawkes,  Winfield  S.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Benj.  ;  served  with  the 
100  days'  men  in  1864. 

Hayden,  Frank  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Wm.  H.  and  Elizabeth 
J. ;  born  in  Hallowell,  Me.,  in  1835  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three 
months,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  re-enlisted  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.,  for 
three  years  ;  promoted  to  2d  Lieut,  in  1862  ;  taken  prisoner  at  Kel- 


OF  THE   TOWff  OF  READING.  615 

ley's  Ford,  Va.,  in  1863,  being  injured  by  a  horse  falling  on  him  ; 
was  kept  a  prisoner  seven  weeks  ;  was  promote  '  to  ist  Lieut,  and 
Quartermaster  ;  served  in  Frontier  Cavalry. 

Hayden,  Wm.  H.,  Jr.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Wm.  H.  and  Elizabeth 
J. ;  born  in  Hallowell,  Me.,  in  1827  ;  enlisted  for  three  months  in 
Co.  E,  5th  Reg.,  in  1861 ;  re-enlisted  in  1862,  as  Sergeant,  in  Co. 
B,  ist  Batt.  of  Heavy  Artillery;  appointed  2d  Lieut,  in  1863,  in 
Co.  A. 

Hayward,  Alex.  N.,  of  Reading;  enlisted  for  three  months  in  Co.  E, 
5th  Reg. 

Heath,  Micah,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Michael  and  Mary  S. ;  born 
in  Meredith,  N.  H.,  1817  ;  enlisted  for  three  years,  in  1861,  in  Co. 
E,  i6th  Reg. ;  transferred  in  1864  to  nth  Mass.  Batt. 

Hebbetts,  James,  of  South  Reading;  born'in  Ireland;  enlisted  1861, 
for  three  years,  in  Co.  D,  28th  Reg.  ;  wounded  Sept.  i,  1862,  in 
second  Bull  Run  battle,  and  died  on  Sept.  16,  1862,  in  the  hos- 
pital at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Hilborn,  Henry  E.,  of  South  Reading ;  born  at  Minot,  Me. ;  enlisted 
1 86 1,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. ;  was  a  corporal ;  discharged  for  disa- 
bility in  1863. 

Hodgkins,  Samuel  P.,  of  South  Reading;  served  with  the  100  days' 
men. 

Holmes,  George  E.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Elizabeth ;  enlisted  in 
1864,  in  4th  Cavalry. 

Hosmer,  Olive-  S.,  of  Woburn;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in  the 
5th  Reg. 

Howe,  Wm.  C.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Joseph  W. ;  born  in  South 
Reading;  enlisted  for  three  years,  in  1861,  in  lothReg. ;  re-en- 
listed, in  1863,  in  4th  Mass.  Cavalry;  musician. 

Howe,  Nathaniel  H.,  of  Charlestown ;  enlisted  1863,  in  Co.  L,  ist 
Heavy  Artillery. 

Howe,  Wm.  F.,  of  South  Rea'ding ;  enlisted  1863,  in  3  ist  Reg. 

Hood,  Tho.  R.  P.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Asa  and  Martha ;  born 
in  Salem,  1825  ;  enlisted  1864,  in  Co.  G,  59th  Reg. 

Hoyt,  Henry  D.,  of  South  Reading  ;  born  in  Shorington,  N.  H. ;  en- 
listed in  1 86 1,  for  three  months,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.  ;  re-enlisted 
in  1861,  for  three  years,  in  22d  Reg. 

Hurd,  Joseph  L.,  of  South  Reading ;  enlisted  in  i6th  Reg.,  and  served 
also  with  100  days'  men. 

Hurley,  Timothy,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Daniel  and  Ann ;  born  in 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

Ireland  in   1829  ;   enlisted  for  three  years,  in  Co.  I,  ist  Reg. ; 

became  a  Corporal. 
Hunt,  George,  of  Stoneham  ;  enlisted  1864,  for  one  year,  in  Co.  K,  4th 

Heavy  Artillery. 
Hunt,  Henry,  of  Stoneham ;  enlisted  1864,  for  one  year,  in  Co.  K,  4th 

Heavy  Artillery. 

Harnden,  James  W.,  of  South  Reading  ;  served  with  100  days'  men. 
Jackson,  George  H.,  of  Medford ;   enlisted  in  1864,  for  one  year,  in 

Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 
Jameson,  Edward  T.,  of  South  Reading ;  born  in  Boston  ;  enlisted  for 

three  years,  in  Co.  D,  4th  Battery. 
Jennison,  Williston,  of  South  Reading;    enlisted  for  three  years  in 

35th  Reg. 

Johnson,  Isaac,  of  South  Reading ;  colored ;  was  drafted. 
Johnson,  John,  of  South  Reading,  of  2d  Cavalry. 
Jones,  Alden  N.,  of  South  Reading ;    enlisted  in  1861  in  Co.  B,  i2th 

Reg.,  for  three  years ;  was  born  at  Chelsea,  Vt,  1835. 
Jones,  Geo.  S.,  of  South  Reading ;   enlisted  for  three  years  in  35th 

Reg. 

Jones,  Nathan  G.,  of  South  Reading,  of  100  days'  men. 
Kaka,  John,  a  recruit.  % 
Kelley,  Patrick,  of  South  Reading ;    enlisted  for  one  year  in  Co.  K, 

4th  Heavy  Artillery. 
Kelley,  Joseph,  of  South  Reading  ;  born  in  England;  enlisted  in  1861, 

for  three  years,  in  Co.  A,  28th  Reg.;    married;    died  Dec.   17, 

1861,  at  Camp  Cameron,  Cambridge,  Mass.,  of  typhoid  fever. 
Kenney,  Thomas  J.,  of  South  Reading,  of  Co.  I,  nth  Reg. ;  transferred 

to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 
Kennedy,  Patrick,  of  South  Reading ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  35th 

Reg. 
Kidder,  George  H.,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  for  three  months,  in 

1861,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.  ;  born  in  South  Boston  in  1837  >  son  °^ 

Daniel  and  Sarah;  re-enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  E, 

ist  Mass.  Cavalry. 
Kingman,  Wm.  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  R., 

born  at  South  Reading  in  1832  ;  enlisted  1862,  for  nine  months, 

in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg.  ;  afterwards  served  with  100  days'  men. 
Kinnerson,  J.  Henry,  of  South  Reading;  a  seaman. 
Kirley,  Thomas,  of  South  Reading;  born  in  Ireland  in  1831 ;   son  of 

Patrick  and  Deborah ;  enlisted  in  the  naval  service  in  1864  ;  fire- 
man ;  was  on  board  the  U.  S.  Steamer  "  Tristram  Shandy  " ;  was 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  6l/ 

on  the  blockading  service  'off  Wilmington,  N.  C. ;  was  in  the  first 

and  second  engagements  at  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C. 
Knight,  Jason  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Otis  and  Sally ;  born  in 

Charlestown,  1838  ;  enlisted  for  three  months  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ; 

was  a  Sergeant ;  re-enlisted  1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth 

Reg.  ;  afterwards  served  with  100  days'  men  as  Lieutenant. 
Knight,  Henry  C.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Henry  and  Ruhamah ; 

born  in  South  Reading,  1829 ;  enlisted  in  1862,  for  nine  months, 

in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. 
Lane,  John,  of  South  Reading ;  seaman ;  enlisted  1862,  on  board  the 

"Sebago." 
Lane,  Loammi  C.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Stephen  and  Ann  ;   born 

in  Gloucester  in  1832  ;  enlisted  for  one  year  in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy 

Artillery. 
Lane,  William,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  last  mentioned ;  born  in 

Gloucester  in  1834;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  I, 

nth  Reg.  ;  transferred  in  1863  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 
Lang,  James,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Wm.  and  Ellen ;   born  in  Ire- 
land; enlisted  in  1862  for  three  years,  in  33d  Reg. 
Lawrence,  Charles  A.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  B. ; 

born  in  Concord  ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  G,  of  24th  Reg. ; 

died  at  Saxonville,  Mass.,  Oct.  20,  1862,  of  disease  contracted  in 

the  service. 
Lawrence,  Geo.  B.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  B. ; 

born   in   Concord ;  enlisted   for  three  years  in  Co.   G,   of    24th 

Reg. 
Lawrence,  Edward  R.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  B. ; 

born  in  Concord  in  1841 ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  H, 

25th  Reg. 
Leathers,  Albert  N.,  of  South  Reading ;  enlisted  1864,  for  one  year,  in 

Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 
Lee,  John,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Sally  ;  born  in  Salem  in 

1813  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  years,  in  the  24th  Reg. 
Lee,  John  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Charles  E.  and  Rhoda  B.  (and 

great-grandson  of  Gen.  Benj.  Brown,  of  Revolutionary  memory)  ; 

born  in  South  Reading  in  1843  >  enlisted  in  1861,  in  Co.  E,  i6th 

Reg.  ;  discharged  1863,  for  disability,  and  died  at  South  Reading 

of  disease  contracted  in  the  service. 
Lewis,  John  ;  seaman  ;  enlisted  1864. 
Littlefield,  Samuel  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Nath'l  and  Dorcas ; 

born  in  Wells,  Me.,  in  1826 ;  enlisted  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E, 
78 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

5oth  Reg. ;  was  Captain  ;  re-commissioned  as  Captain  of  the  100 

days'  men. 
Locke,  John  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Josiah  and  Elizabeth  W. ; 

born  at  Ashburnham,  1831  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  as 

Captain  of  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  commissioned  in  1862,  as  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  5oth  Reg.,  and  served  nine  months. 
Locke,  Geo.  L.,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  Co. 

E,  1 6th  Reg. ;  killed  in  battle  near  Bull  Run,  Va.,  August  29, 

1862. 

Long,  Robert,  of  South  Reading,  of  the  6th  Colored  Infantry  ;   repre- 
sentative recruit  for  Thomas  Emerson. 
Lord,  Byfon,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  James  and  Marcia  A. ;  born  in 

South  Reading  in  1840 ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co. 

E,  5th  Reg. 
Lord,  Geo.  H.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  lastnamed ;  enlisted  1861, 

for  three  months,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. 
Lufkin,  Stephen,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Humphrey  and  Lois  ;  born 

in  Chester,  N.  H.,  in  1814;  enlisted  in  1862,  for  three  years,  in 

Co.  G,  i3th  Reg.,  and  discharged  for  inability  in  1863. 
Lufkin,  Stephen  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  the  last  named  ;  born  in 

Woburn  in  1844;  enlisted  in  1862,  in  Co.  G,  of  i3th  Reg.,  for 

three  years ;  was  wounded  severely  at  Gettysburg,  July  i,  1862, 

and  was  taken  prisoner;   was  re-taken  the  next  day  by  Union 

troops,  and  discharged  on  account  of  the  wound. 
Lufkin,  Frederick  H.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ; 

born  in  South  Reading  in  1848 ;    mother's  name,  Sarah  G.  W. ; 

enlisted  1865,  for  one  year,  in  Capt.  Porter's  Co.,  in  6zd  Reg. ;  was 

a  Corporal ;  served  also  with  100  days'  men. 
Lyons,  John  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  William  and  Mary  P. ;  born 

in  Ireland  in  1845  >  enlisted  in  3d  Heavy  Artillery,  Co.  M,  for 

one  year. 
Madden,  Jerry,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Cornelius  and  Maria ;   born 

in  Ireland,  1822  ;  enlisted  1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  G,  48th 

Reg. 
Madden,  John  W.,  of  South  Reading ;  enlisted  in  1864,  for  one  year, 

in  3d  Heavy  Artillery. 

Magee,  Edward,  of  South  Reading  ;  a  seaman. 
Mansfield,  Wm.  J.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Wm.  and  Phebe ;  born 

in  South  Reading  in  1845  >  enlisted  in  1863,  in  Co.  L,  ist  Heavy 

Artillery. 
Mansfield,  James  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  James  J.  and  Martha 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


619 


B. ;  born  in  South  Reading  in  1836  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three 
years,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg.,  as  Sergeant ;  promoted  to  ist  Lieut,  in 
1864;  transferred  the  same  year  to  the  nth  Reg.;  promoted  to 
Captain,  October,  1864,  and  afterwards  to  Major  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel. 

Mansfield,  Joseph  H.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ; 
born  at  South  Reading,  1841 ;  enlisted  in  1861,  in  Co.  E,  of  i6th 
Reg.,  for  three  years  ;  died  of  fever  in  hospital,  New  York,  Sept. 
14,  1862. 

Mansfield,  Edward  G.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Edward,  served  with 
the  100  days'  men. 

Martin,  John,  of  South  Reading,  served  with  the  100  days'  men. 

Marshall,  Cyrus  E.,  of  South  Reading,  served  with  the  100  days' 
men. 

Moulton,  Erastus,  of  South  Reading,  served  with  the  too  days'  men. 

Mayo,  Nath'l  C.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Josiah  and  Ruth ;  born  in 
Eastham,  1831  ;  enlisted  in  1864,  in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery, 
for  one  year. 

McCabe,  James  M.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Bridget ;  born  in  Bos- 
ton ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  K,  22d  Reg. 

McCarty,  Timothy,  of  South  Reading,  of  6th  Battalion. 

McCleary,  John  E.,  of  South  Reading ;  born  in  Prince  Edward  Isl- 
and;  enlisted,  1862,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  H,  27th  Reg.;  re- 
enlisted  in  1864;  promoted  to  Sergeant  in  1864;  was  principal 
musician  of  regiment  in  October,  1864 ;  was  wounded  and  taken 
prisoner  at  battle  of  Kingston,  N.  C.,  March  8,  1865  ;  paroled 
March  26  ;  promoted  to  ist  Lieut.,  May  15,  1865. 

McDonald,  George,  of  South  Reading,  of  38th  Reg.,  for  three  years. 

McGee,  Edward,  of  South  Reading,  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in 
Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  re-enlisted  1864,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  C,  24th 
Reg. 

McKay,  Tho.  M.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  M. ; 
born  at  Boston,  Dec.  5,  1836  ;  enlisted,  i86i,for  three  months,  in 
Co.  E,  5th  Reg.  ;  re-enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  G,  2oth  Reg. ; 
was  Sergeant;  was  promoted  Sept.  5,  1862  ;  to  be  2d  Lieut.,  Dec. 
18,  1862  ;  to  be  Captain,  July,  1863  ;  was  killed  by  a  shot  from  a 
conscript,  Oct.  5,  1863,  at  Culpepper,  Va. 

McKay,  Gordon,  from  Melrose;  served  in  the  three  months'  cam- 
paign. 

McKensie,  John,  from  Boston  ;  served  in  the  three  months'  campaign. 

McKensie,  A.,  of  South  Reading,  served  in  the  Frontier  Cavalry. 


62Q  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

McPherson,  David,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Edward  ;  born  in  Scot- 
land in  1840;  was  cook  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  E, 
24th  Reg.  ;  re-enlisted  in  1864  for  some  other  town. 

McLaughlin,  Thos.,  of  igth  Reg. 

McQueeny,  Wm.,  from  Boston  ;  enlisted  1864,  for  one  year,  in  Co.  K, 
4th  Heavy  Artillery. 

McQuillan,  Joseph,  from  Charlestown  ;  of  Co.  L,  ist  Heavy  Artillery  ; 
killed  June  16,  1864,  near  Petersburg,  Va. 

Miller,  Charles,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  1862,  for  nine  months,  in 
Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. 

Moore,  John  L.,  Jr.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  L.  and  Marie ; 
enlisted  1862,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg.,  for  nine  months;  died  at 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  April  6,  1863. 

Morrill,  James  M.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Manning  and  Merriam  ; 
born  in  Danville,  Me.,  1837  ;  a  carpenter  ;  enlisted  1861,  for 
three  months,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.  ;  re-enlisted  in  1862,  for  nine 
months,  as  Corporal  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. ;  served  as  Orderly  Ser- 
geant with  100  days'  men. 

Morton,  Joseph,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Joseph  B.  and  Patience  ; 
born  in  South  Paris,  Me.,  1832  ;  enlisted  1862,  for  nine  months, 
in  5oth  Reg.  (in  the  band)  ;  enlisted  in  1864,  for  one  year,  in  Co. 
K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 

Moses,  John  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Nath'l  and  Elizabeth  ;  born 
at  South  Reading,  1834  ;  enlisted  in  1862,  for  nine  months  in  Co. 
E,  5oth  Reg. ;  died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  4,  1863. 

Moses,  George,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born  at 
South  Reading,  1841  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co.  E, 
5th  Reg.  ;  re-enlisted  in  1862  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth 
Reg.,  and  in  1864,  for  three  years,  in  Signal  Corps. 

Murkland,  Robert  L  ,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Jane ;  born 
at  Lowell  in  1837  ;  enlisted  in  1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E, 
5oth  Reg. 

Murray,  Jeremiah,  of  South  Reading  ;  seaman. 

Newhall,  Elbridge  G.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Benj.  S.  and  Hannah 
S. ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. ;  discharged  for 
inability ;  born  in  South  Danvers. 

Newhall,  David,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born 
at  South  Danvers,  1841 ;  enlisted  in  1862,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg., 
for  nine  months;  served  also  with  100  days'  men  as  Corporal. 

Newhall,  Wm.,  of  South  Reading ;  son  of  James  I.  and  Sally  N  Pease  ; 
born  in  Lynnfield,  1809  (name  had  been  altered  from  Pease  to 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  621 

Newhall) ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  K,  2$d  Reg. ; 
was  wagoner  and  ambulance  driver ;  discharged  for  inability. 
Newman,  J.  Frank,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  H. ;  enlisted   1862, 

for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. 

Nichols,  Edmund,  of  South  Reading ;  enlisted  1864,  in  4th  Cavalry. 
Nichols,  Geo.  R.,  of  South  Reading,  of  100  days'  men. 
Nichols,  Geo.  W.,  of  Reading ;  enlisted  for  three  months  in  Co.  E,  5th 

Reg. 
Nichols,  G.  Hannibal,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Jona.  and  Elizabeth  ; 

born  in  South  Reading,  1830  ;  enlisted,  1861,  for  three  years  in 

Co.  E,  1 6th  Reg.,  and  discharged  for  inability. 
Nichols,  Warren,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born 

in  South  Reading,  in  1840;  enlisted,  1861,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg.  ; 

was  a  Corporal ;  was  wounded  slightly  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg, 

taken  prisoner,  and  paroled  ;  was  wounded  severely  at  the  battle  of 

Coal  Harbor,  in  1864,  and  discharged. 
Oliver,  James,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  E/ekiel  and  Sarah ;  born  at 

South  Reading  in   1820;  enlisted  as  2d  Lieut,  in  Co.   E,  :6th 

Reg. ;  was  promoted  to  ist  Lieut,  in  1862. 
Oliver,  Alfred,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  the  last  named  ;  served  with 

the  100  days'  men. 
O'Reardon,  Matthew  (or  Michael),  of  South   Reading ;  enlisted  for 

three  years  in  35th  Reg. 
Parker,  Thos.  A.,  ef  South  Reading;  born  in  1831  ;  enlisted  in  1861 

in  Co.  G,  i3th  Reg. ;  was  taken  prisoner  at  Kettle  Run,  Va., 

paroled,  and  in  1863  discharged  for  disability. 
Parker,  Thos.   E.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  ; 

born  in  Salem  in  1820  ;  enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  E,  24th  Reg.;  served 

as  cook  and  butcher ;  discharged  Sept.  25,  1862  ;  died  at  South 

Reading,  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Parker,  John  Q.  A.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of    the  last  named  ; 

born  at  South  Reading,  1829  ;  enlisted  1862,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg., 

for  nine  months,  as  Corporal,  and  served  as  butcher. 
Parker,  Nathan  D., of  Reading;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co. 

E,  5th  Reg. 
Parker,  Wm.  Durant,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  William  and  Abigail ; 

born  in  South  Reading  in  1826;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months, 

in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  re-enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  H, 

24th  Reg.;  discharged  for  inability  in  1863. 
Parsons,  Benj.  W.,  of  Lynnfield;  enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.,  for 

three  months,  and  discharged  for  inability. 


622  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Pasco,  Wm.  C.,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  1864,  for  one  year,  in  Co. 

K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 
Peterson,  Leonard,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  E,  5th 

Reg.,  for  three  months. 
Phipps,  John  W.,  of  South  Reading  ;  son  of  John  and  Mary  ;  born  in 

South  Reading  in  1824;  enlisted  1864,  for  one  year,  in  Co.  K,  4th 

Heavy  Artillery. 
Pierce,  James  H.,  of  Stoneham ;  enlisted  in  1864,  for  one  year,  in  Co. 

K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 
Pilling,  Jonathan,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Jonathan  ;  enlisted  1862, 

for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. ;  died  at  Baton  Rouge,  April 

i,  1863,  of  disease. 
Poland,  Joseph  Warren,  of  South  Reading  ;  a  seaman  ;  son  of  Joseph 

and  Emily  C.;  born  at  South  Reading  1845;  was  hospital  steward  ; 

was  at  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Fisher. 
Pope,  J.  Holman,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Harriet ;  born 

at  South  Reading  1831;  enlisted  1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E, 

5oth  Reg. 
Pratt,  Benj.  C.,  of  South  Reading ;  son  of  Sumner  and  Susan ;  born 

in  South  Reading;  enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg.,  for  three 

years  and  served  his  full  term. 
Pratt,  Edwin,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  David  and  Hannah ;  born  in 

Reading  in  1838  ;  enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.,  for  3  months  ; 

re-enlisted  1862,  in  Co.  E,  ist  Battery  of  Heavy  Artillery,  and 

discharged  for  disability. 
Proven,  Charles,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  years, 

in  second  Reg.,  as  musician. 
Rahr,  Christian  E.,  of  Reading ;  enlisted  for  three  months  in  Co.  E,  5th 

Reg. ;  a  native  of  Denmark ;  born  1840. 
Ransom,  Wm.  E.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Barzillia  and  H.  J.;  was 

Corporal ;  enlisted  1861  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.,  for  three  months. 
Ransom,  Edward  M.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ; 

born  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  1840  ;  enlisted  in  i86i,in  Co.  E,  i3th 

Reg.,   for  three   years ;    employed   as   clerk   in   Quartermaster's 

department;  discharged  Dec.  1861,  by  order  of  Gen.  McClellan. 
Ransom,    Geo.   W.,  of  South   Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ; 

enlisted  in  the  ist  Heavy  Artillery,  Co.  L,  for  one  year ;  was  a 

Corporal. 
Rayner,  John,  of  South  Reading ;  son  of  Jacob  S.  and  Nabby  ;  born 

at  Townsend  1823  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co.  E, 

of  5th  Reg. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


623 


Rayner,  Ozias,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born  in 

Charlestown  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co.  E,  of  £th 

Regiment ;  re-enlisted  in  Co.  H,  24th  Reg. ;  was  a  Sergeant. 
Reed,  Silas  L.,  of  South  Reading  ;  a  seaman ;  and  of  35th  Reg.,  for 

three  years. 
Reed,  Washington,  of  Reading,  son  of  Michael  W.  and   Antisianna, 

born  in  Quincy  in  1834 ;   enlisted  in  1864  in  Signal  Corps,  for 

three  years. 
Resterick,  Walter,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Jane  Resterick  ;  enlisted 

1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. ;   re-enlisted  in  1865  in 

Frontier  Cavalry. 
Reynolds,  Charles  H.,  of  South  Reading ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in 

35th  Reg. 
Richards,  Frederick  S.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Joseph  and  Abigail 

W. ;  born  in  Searsport,  Me.,  1834  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  in  Co.  E,  i6th 

Reg.;  was  killed  in  battle  before  Richmond,  June  18,  1862. 
Richardson,  J.  Warren,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth 

Richardson  ;  born  in  South  Reading ;  mustered  into  service  1864  > 

served  one  year  in  Co.  E,  ist  Batt  Heavy  Artillery,  Fort  Warren. 
Ripley,  Allen  M.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Asa  P.  and  Mary  C. ;  born 

in  Londonderry,  N.  H.,  in  1844;   enlisted  in  1864  in  Co.  K,  4th 

Heavy  Artillery. 
Robinson,  Charles  H.,  of  Reading  ;  enlisted  for  three  months  in  1861, 

in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. 
Robinson,  John  E.,  of  Reading  ;  enlisted  1863  in  Co.  L,  of  ist  Heavy 

Artillery;  wounded  May  19,  1864,  and  missing. 
Roundy,  John  D.,  of  Reading  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co. 

E,  Sth  Reg. 
Rowland,  Thomas,  of  South  Reading ;    enlisted  for  one  year  in  3d 

Heavy  Artillery. 
Royal,  Dudley  C.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Robert  and  Miriam ;   born 

in  1827  in  Pownal,  Me. ;   enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  the 

24th  Reg. ;  re-enlisted  1864. 
Rummery,  Tho.  J.,  of  Co.  I,  i  ith  Reg. 
Ryder,  Andrew  J.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  James  and  Cynthia ;   of 

Frontier  Cavalry. 

Ryder,  Verenus  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  James  and  Cynthia ;  en- 
listed 1864,  for  one  year,  in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 
Scanlan,  Anthony,  of  South  Reading  ;  of  2d  Cavalry. 
Seaver,  Geo.  A.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Hammond  and   Amelia  ; 

born  in  Boston  in  1827  ;  enlisted  1864,  for  one  year,  in  Co.  K,  of 

4th  Heavy  Artillery. 


624  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Seaver,  Howard  M.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born 

in  Boston  in  1828  ;  enlisted  in  i86r  in   Co.  A,  $d  Maryland  Reg. 
Severns,  Wm.  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Luther  and  Hannah  R.  ; 

born  in  Brookline,  1842;    was  a  Corporal  in  Co.  G,  59th  Reg.; 

enlisted  for  three  years  in  1864,  and  discharged  for  inability. 
Shea,  Michael. 
Sheafe,  John  C.,  of  South  Reading  ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  A 

ist  Batt.  of  Heavy  Artillery. 
Shepard,  Charles  H.,  of  South  Reading ;   enlisted  1861,  as  ist  Lieut 

in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;    re-enlisted  as  2d  Lieut,  in  Co.  L,  ist  Heavy 

Artillery;  promoted  to  ist  Lieut. 
Sherman,  Marcus  M.,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  in  1864  in  Co.  K, 

4th  Heavy  Artillery,  for  one  year. 
Sherman,  Wm.  H.,  of  Reading;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co. 

E,  5th  Reg. 
Simpson,  Charles  L.,  of  South  Reading;   enlisted  1863,  in  Co.  B,  ist 

Batt.  Heavy  Artillery. 
Skinner,  Gustavus  F.  D.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary ; 

born  in  South  Reading  in  1828;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in 

Co.  E,  1 6th  Reg. ;  discharged  for  inability  in  1862  ;  re-enlisted  in 

1864  in  ist  Cavalry. 

Skinner,  Geo.  F.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Abraham  and  Martha ;  en- 
listed 1862  in  Co.  B,  39th  Reg. ;  was  wounded  severely. 
Skinner,  Thomas  Judson,  of  Reading,  son  of  Thomas  and  Phebe  ; 

served  with  the  100  days'  men. 
Skinner,  Wm.  G.,  2d,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Lilley  E.  and  Rhoda  J.  ; 

born  in   South  Reading  in  1845  ;   enlisted  in  1862  in  Co.  E,  5oth 

Reg.,  for  nine  months. 
Smalley,  Leonard  D.,  of  South  Reading ;   born  in  Yarmouth,  Me.,  in 

1832  ;  married  Ellen  M.,  dau.  of  Jacob  Tufts ;  was  a  seaman  ;  was 

acting  master  on  board  the  "  Westfield  "  ;  was  present  at  the  tak- 
ing of  Forts  St.  Philip  and  Jackson;  also  at  the  taking  of  New 

Orleans,  La.,  and  Galveston,  Tex. 
Smiley,  J.  Henry,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Priscilla  ;  enlisted 

for  three  years  in  Co.  H,  24th  Reg. 
Smith,  Daniel,  of  South  Reading,  enlisted   1864  in  Co.   E,  rst  Batt. 

of  Heavy  Artillery. 

Smith,  John,  was  a  substitute  for  Wm.  H.  Atwell,  Jr.  ;    was  a  seaman. 
Smith,  Solon  C.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Porter  and  Sarah ;  born  in 

South  Reading,  1840  ;  enlisted  1864  ;  acting  3d  assistant  engineer; 

served  on  board  the  "  Hibiscus  "  ;    died  of  fever  at  St.  Andrews 

Bay,  Fla.,  July  10,  1865. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


625 


Smith,  Thomas,  of  Melrose  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co.  E, 
5th  Reg. 

Snell,  Lewis  A.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Quartus  and  Lovice ;  born 
at  Charlestown,  Mass,  1840;  enlisted  1862  in  Co.  E,  soth  Reg., 
for  nine  months. 

Snell,  Franklin  L.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  en- 
listed 1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. 

Somers,  Joseph,  of  7th  Battery. 

Spaulding,  David,  of  South  Reading  ;  of  Frontier  Cavalry. 

Stephens,  John  R.,  of  Stoneham ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in 
Co.  E,  5th  Reg. 

Stetson,  Everett,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Melzar  and  Lucy;  born  in 
Maine ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  K,  23d  Reg. 

Stimpson,  James  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Geo.  W.  and  Susan ; 
born  in  South  Reading  1843  >  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  years,. in 
Co.  E,  1 6th  Reg. ;  taken  prisoner  at  Gettysburg  July  2,  1863  ;  died 
at  Richmond,  Va.,  about  Jan.  i,  1864. 

Stimpson,  Win.  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Alfred  and  Mary ;  born 
in  South  Reading  in  1839 ;  enlisted  for  nine  months,  in  1862,  in 
Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. ;  died  of  fever  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  19, 
1863. 

Stoddard,  Geo.  W.,  of  South  Reading  ;  served  with  100  days'  men. 

Stone,  Orin,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Ambrose  and  Martha ;  enlisted 
for  three  years  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. 

Stowell,  John  D.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Martin  and  Olive ;  born  in 
South  Reading  in  1841  ;  enlisted  1862,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  K, 
23d  Reg. ;  discharged  in  1864  by  reason  of  wounds. 

Sunbury,  Horace  A.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary;  born 
in  Canada  1833  >  enlisted  for  three  years  in  ist  Mass.  Cavalry  ; 
promoted  to  2d  Lieut. ;  transferred  to  6ist  Reg.  in  1864  ;  promoted 
to  ist  Lieut,  in  1865. 

Sullivan,  John,  seaman. 

Swain,  John  P.,  of  North  Reading  ;  enlisted  1864  in  Co.  L,  ist  Heavy 
Artillery ;  re-enlisted. 

Sweetser,  Albert  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  P.  H.  and  Louisa;  born 

in ;  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  3  ist  Mass.  Reg.  (Zouaves)  ;  was 

discharged  at  Ship  Island,  by  Gen.  Butler,  for  disability ;  re-en- 
listed in  the  57th  Reg.  (Veteran)  under  Col.  Gould,  and  fought  in 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness. 

Sweetser,  James  M.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Moses  and  Fanny ;  born 
in  South  Reading  1828 ;   enlisted    1861,  for  three  months,  and 
79 


626  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

served  as  Corporal  in  the  5th  Reg. ;  re-enlisted  in  1862,  for  nine 

months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg. ;  served  as  Sergeant  with  the  100 

days'  men. 
Sweetser,  Oliver  S.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Tho.  J.  and  Lavinia  S. ; 

born  at  St.  Augustine,  Fla.,  in  1832  ;  enlisted  in  1861  in  Co.  E, 

5th  Reg.,  for  three  months. 
Sweetser,  Thomas,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born 

in  Florida  in  1835  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co.  E, 

5th  Reg. ;  re-enlisted  as  Sergeant  in  1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co. 

E,  5oth  Reg.,  and  discharged  soon  after  for  disability. 
Sweetser,  Luther,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  ;   born  at 

South  Reading,  1845  ;    enlisted   1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  E, 

i6th  Reg. ;  was  taken  prisoner[at  Gettysburg,  July  2,  1863,  and  died 

a  prisoner  at  Anderson ville,  S.  C.,  Aug.  8,  1864. 
Sweetser,  Francis,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Thos.  J.  and  Lydia  ;   born 

at  South  Reading,  1839  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  E, 

i6th  Reg  ;  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  June  25,  1862. 
Sweetser,  Madison  C.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Madison  and  Phebe  ; 

born  in  South  Reading  in  1840  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  years, 

in  2d  Co  22d  Reg.  (Sharpshooters)  ;  re-enlisted  for  one  year,  in 

1864,  in  Co.  B,  ist  Vet.  Reg.  (Hancock's  Corps). 
Sweetser,  Jewett  B.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born 

in  South  Reading,  1842  ;  enlisted  in  1865  in  Frontier  Cavalry. 
Sweetser,  John  E.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Stephen  and  Nancy ;  born 

in  South  Reading,  1839  '>   enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  E,  ist 

Mass.  Cavalry,  and  discharged  in  1863  for  disability. 
Sweetser,  Edmund,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born 

at  South  Reading,  1843  ;  enlisted  1862  in  Co.  L,  Heavy  Artillery; 

re-enlisted  in  1864  for  Weymouth. 
Sweetser,  Stephen,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;    born 

in  South  Reading ;   served  in  the  5th  Battery ;  previously  served 

in  the  4th  Mass,  for  Taunton. 
Sweetser,  E.  Leroy,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Elbridge  and  Mary ;  born 

in  South  Reading  in  1842  ;  enlisted  1862,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg.,  for 

nine  months. 

Symonds,  Artemas,  served  with  100  days'  men. 
Tackney,  Patrick  ;  enlisted  1864,  for  three  years,  in  6th  Battery. 
Talbot,  H.,  of  South  Reading  ;  of  Frontier  Cavalry. 
Taylor,  Augustus,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Augustus  and  Elizabeth; 

born  in  Dedham  in  1841 ;  enlisted  1862,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  D, 

4th  Battery;  died  of  fever  at  New  Orleans,  May  31,  1864. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 

Taylor,  Henry  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Wm.  H.  and  Roxanna ; 
born  at  Cambridgeport  1843  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co. 
C,  of  3d  Battery  ;  afterwards  enlisted  in  the  Navy. 

Thompson,  Charles,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Joseph  and  Susan  ;  born 
at  South  Reading.  1838  ;  enlisted,  1861,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.,  for 
three  months. 

Thompson,  John  A.,  of  South  Reading ;  born  in  Boston  ;  enlisted  1861, 
as  drummer,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg.,  for  three  years  ;  discharged  in 
1862  for  disability. 

Thompson,  J.  Frank,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  A.  and  Mary  B. ; 
born  at  South  Reading  in  1832;  enlisted  April,  i86i,'for  three 
months,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  in  Dec.  1861,  re-enlisted,  for  three 
years,  in  Co.  B,  3d  Reg.  (Maryland  Reg.) ;  re-enlisted  in  1864,  in 
4th  Heavy  Artillery  ;  was  a  Corporal. 

Thompson,  Geo.  A.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  bo.rn 
at  South  Reading,  1844 ;  enlisted  1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co. 
E,  5oth  Reg. ;  served  also  with  too  days'  men. 

Tibbetts,  Charles  H.,  of  Reading;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in 
Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  discharged  on  account  of  having  shot  off  by  acci- 
dent the  end  of  his  finger. 

Tibbetts,  Frank  L ,  of  Reading;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in 
Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  was  taken  prisoner  at  Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861. 

Townsend,  Geo.  W.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Jacob  and  Nancy ;  born 
at  South  Reading  in  1827  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  months,  in 
Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  was  Sergeant ;  re-enlisted  Dec.  1861,  for  three 
years,  in  Co.  E,  24th  Reg.,  as  Corporal ;  was  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Newbern,  N.  C.,  and  lost  two  fingers  of  right  hand  ;  re-enlisted 
1864,  in  sgth  Vet.  Reg. 

Townsend,  Jacob,  Jr.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named ; 
born  at  Lynnfield,  1821  ;  enlisted  1864,  for  three  years,  in  Signal 
Corps. 

Townley,  Benjamin,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Calvin  and  Jane ;  born 
in  Orange,  N.  J.,  1812  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  E, 
i6th  Reg.;  discharged  1862,  for  disability;  re-enlisted  1863,  in 
Co.  B,  ist  Heavy  Artillery,  and  again  discharged,  1865,  for  dis- 
ability. 

Tucker,  Chas.  E.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Peter  and  Nuamah  ;  born 
at  South  Reading,  1842  ;  enlisted  1862,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg  ;  dis- 
charged in  1863  for  disability;  re-enlisted  in  1864,  in  Co.  K,  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps. 

Turnbull,  Alexander,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Robert  and  Annie  ;  born 


628  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

in  Scotland  in  1825 ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  E,  aoth 
Reg. ;  carpenter  and  wagoner. 

Turnbull,  Robert,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born 
in  Scotland  in  1835  ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  E,  2oth  Reg. ; 
died  of  consumption  at  South  Reading,  Aug.  14,  1863  ;  disease 
contracted  in  the  service  ;  was  unmarried. 

Tufts,  Albert  C.,  of  the  100  days'  men. 

Tuttle,  H.  Ballard,  of  South  Reading,  of  the  100  days'  men. 

Twiss,  Adoniram  J.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Nancy;  enlisted  1861, 
for  three  months,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. 

Tyler,  Wrri.  N.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  A.  and  Marion  L. ;  born 
at  South  Reading,  1834;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co. 
E,  of  5th  Reg. ;  was  Corporal ;  re-enlisted  in  1861,  in  Co.  E,  5oth 
Reg.,  for  nine  months  ;  served  also  with  100  days'  men. 

Tyler,  Geo.  L.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born  in 
Andover  in  1836  ;  enlisted  1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E,  5oth 
Reg. ;  re-enlisted  in  1864,  in  Co.  K,  of  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 

Tyler,  Chas.  W.,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  35th 
Reg. 

Upham,  Elbridge  S.,  of  South  Reading ;  enlis-ted  for  three  years  in  35th 
Reg. 

Upton,  Eben  Davis,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Edward  and  Betsey ; 
born  in  Lynnfield ;  enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  B,  22d  Reg. ;  was  killed 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  5,  1864. 

Vaux,  William,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Thos.  H.  and  Susan  ;  bofn  in 
New  York  city  in  1837  ;  served  1861,  three  months,  in  Co.  E,  5th 
Reg. ;  a  musician ;  re-enlisted  in  1862,  in  Co.  A,  ist  Heavy  Ar- 
tillery ;  was  Drum-Major. 

Wadlin,  Daniel  H.,  of  Reading^  son  of  Daniel  and  Pamela ;  born  in 
1820;  enlisted  in  1864  in  Co.  K,  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 

Walker,  Charles  R.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Charles  and  Mary  R.  ; 
born  at  South  Reading,  1837  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  2d 
Reg.  (as  musician) ;  discharged  for  disability  the  same  year  ;  re- 
enlisted  in  Maj.  Cabot's  unattached  company  of  Heavy  Artillery, 
ist  Battalion. 

Walker,  Wm.  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Levi  and  Laura ;  served  in 
1861,  three  months,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  re-enlisted  1862  for  three 
years,  in  Co.  G,  2oth  Reg. ;  promoted  to  ist  Lieut,  in  1863  ;  severely 
wounded  in  the  thigh  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863  ; 
promoted  to  Capt,  Aug.  1863  ;  resigned  in  1864. 

Walton,  Samuel  L.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Amos  L.  and  Susan ; 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  fag 

born  in  South  Reading  in  1842  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  3  years,  in  Co. 
I,  nth  Reg. 

Walton,  Augustus  L.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Leonard  and  Nancy  ; 
born  at  South  Reading,  1832  ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  igth  Reg. ; 
discharged  ;  re-enlisted  in  nth  Battery. 

Walton,  Solon,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born  at 
South  Reading,  1830 ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  E,  of  ist 
Massachusetts  Cavalry ;  was  Corporal  and  Orderly  Sergeant 

Walton,  Oliver,  ad,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Jotham  and  Sarah ;  born 
at  South  Reading  1837  ;  enlisted  1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E, 
5oth  Reg. 

Walton,  Geo.  K.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Joshua  and  Harriet  M. ;  born 
at  South  Reading  in  1843  ;  enlisted  in  1862,  in  i6th  Battery. 

Walton,  Frank  O.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Oliver  and  Sarah  ;  born  at 
South  Reading  in  1840 ;  enlisted  1864,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. ;  trans- 
ferred, 1864,  to  nth  Mass.  Battalion. 

Waitt,  John  N.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John ;  born  at  South  Read- 
ing, 1842  ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co.  B,  i3th  Reg. 

Waitt,  Aaron  H.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ;  born 
at  South  Reading;  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  of  22d  Reg. ;  was  bugler. 

Waitt,  Henry  B.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  David  and  Nancy  L. ;  born 
at  South  Reading  in  1834  ;  enlisted  1861,  in  Company  B,  22d  Reg., 
for  three  years. 

Warren,  Horace  M.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Edwin  R.  and  Mary 
H. ;  born  in  Topshamy  Me.,  July  8,  1841  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three 
years,  in  Co.  E,  2oth  Reg.,  and  was  chosen  Sergt,  having  pre- 
viously served  three  months  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  arm,  body,  and  leg,  at  battle  of  Ball's  Bluff; 
re-enlisted  1862,  in  Co.  E,  5oth  Reg.,  for  nine  months,  and  was 
chosen  ist  Lieut. ;  re-commissioned  as  ist  Lieut.,  and  Adjt.  of  5gth 
Veteran  Reg.,  and  promoted  to  Major  1864 ;  mortally  wounded  in 
battle  at  Weldon  Railroad,  Va.,  Aug.  19,  and  died  Aug.  27,  1864 ; 
funeral  and  burial  at  South  Reading. 

Warren,  Alvin  S.,  of  South  Reading ;  brother  of  the  last  named ;  born 
in  Augusta,  Me.,  Nov.  24,  1843 ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in 
Co.  E,  i6th  Reg. ;  was  Corporal ;  died  at  Fortress  Monroe,  June 
12,  1862,  of  fever,  and  was  interred  at  South  Reading. 

Warren,  Edwin  R.,  Jr.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named  ; 
born  in  Topsham,  Me.,  1838  ;  an  Acting  Ensign  and  Lieut,  in  the 
Naval  service ;  was  on  board  the  "  Bermuda  "  and  "  Wamsutta  " ; 
was  present  at  the  bombardment  of  Charleston,  S.  C.,  1864 ;  on 
special  service  in  South  Atlantic  Squadron. 


630  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

Washington,  George,  of  South  Reading,  of  48th  Colored  Reg. ;  a  repre- 
sentative recruit  for  Thos.  Emerson. 

Weston,  Robt.  H.,  of  Reading;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co. 
E,  5th  Reg. 

Whitehead,  Jeremiah,  of  South  Reading ;  son  of  Geo.  and  Eliza,  bora 
in  Charlestown  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  C,  i4th  Reg. 

Whitehead,  George  H.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named ; 
born  in  Charlestown  ;  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  xyth  Reg. ;  was  killed  in 
action,  Feb.  i,  1864,  near  Newbern,  N.  C. 

Whitehead,  John  E.,  of  South  Reading,  brother  of  the  last  named ; 
bora  in  Charlestown ;  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  iyth  Reg.,  for  three  years ; 
discharged  for  inability  in  1863. 

Whitford,  John,  of  South  Reading,  born  in  England  ;  enlisted  1861,  in 
Co.  E,  1 6th  Reg.,  for  three  years  ;  discharged  for  inability  in  1863. 

Wheeler,  Morris  P  ,  of  South  Reading  ;  son  of  Philip  C. ;  served  with 
the  100  days'  men. 

Wheeler,  T.  Edward,  of  South  Reading,  born  in  1837  ;  enlisted  1861, 
for  three  years,  in  Co.  G,  1 3th  Reg.;  discharged  in  1862,  for  ina- 
bility. 

Winegar,  Wm.  H.,  of  South  Reading ;  enlisted  for  three  years  in  33d 
Reg. 

Winship,  Samuel,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Joel  and  Eliza ;  born  in 
South  Reading  1822  ;  enlisted  in  1862,  for  nine  months,  in  Co.  E, 
5oth  Reg. 

Winthrop,  Alexander  M.,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  for  three  years  in 
2oth  Reg. 

Wiley,  Joseph  E.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Peter  and  Nancy ;  bora  at 
Royalston  1838  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.; 
re-enlisted  1862,  in  Co.  L,  ist  Heavy  Artillery ;  promoted  to  Ser- 
geant ;  re-enlisted  1864,  as  a  veteran. 

Wiley,  John,  2d,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Peter  B  j  born  at  South 
Reading;  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg.,  a  company  he  was  instru- 
mental in  recruiting  and  of  which  he  was  Captain ;  he  resigned  in 
1863. 

Wiley,  Wm.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Capt  John  and  Elizabeth ; 
was  born  at  South  Reading,  1836  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for  three  months, 
in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg.;  re-enlisted  1862,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  A, 
iyth  Reg.;  was  ist  Sergeant;  died  at  Newbern,  N.  C.,  Oct.  12, 
1862,  of  fever;  funeral  at  South  Reading,  Dec.  16,  1862. 

Wiley,  Wm.  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Ira  and  Lucetta;  served  with 
the  100  days'  men. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  631 

Wiley,  Ira,  Jr.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Ira  and  Lucetta ;  served  with 

the  100  days'  men. 
Wiley,  Baxter  I.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Ellis ;  served  with  the  100 

days'  men. 
Wiley,  J.  Barnard,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Jane  ;  served 

with  the  100  days'  men. 
Wiley,  Geo.  H.,of  South  Reading,  born  in  Amherst,  N.  H. ;  enlisted  in 

1861,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg.,  and  discharged  1864,  for  inability. 
Wiley,  Samuel  A.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Samuel  S.  and  Rebecca 

N. ;  born  in  South  Reading  in  1841  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three 
years,  in  Co.  H,  23d  Reg. ;  died  of  measles  at  Hatteras  Inlet  Hos- 
pital, Feb.  7,  1862. 

Wiley,  Augustus  T.,  of  South  Reading ;  born  at  Lynn ;  enlisted  for 
three  years,  in  1861,  in  Co.  E,  ist  Mass.  Cavalry;  killed  near 
Kelley's  Ford,  Va.,  June  9,  1863. 

Wiley,  Albert  S.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Harriet ;  born  in 
South  Reading,  1832  ;  enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  E,  ist  Mass.  Cavalry, 
for  three  years;  severely  wounded  at  Poolesville,  Sept  5,  1862  ; 
discharged  by  reason  of  wounds  ;  re-enlisted  1862,  for  three  years, 
in  Co.  E,  ist  Cavalry. 

Wiley,  Herbert  A.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Adam  and  Eunice  ;  born 
at  South  Reading,  1839 ;  enlisted  1862,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  K, 
23d  Reg. ;  died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Newbern,  N.  C.,  Nov.  19,  1862. 

Wiley,  Alonzo  E.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Enos  and  Susan  C.  ;  born 
at  South  Reading,  1839 ;  enlisted  1864,  for  three  years,  in  Signal 
Corps. 

Wiley,  Caleb  S.,  of  Stoneham,  son  of  Caleb  and  Susanna,  born  in 
Stoneham,  1827  ;  enlisted  1864,  for  one  year,  in  4th  Heavy  Artil- 
lery. 

Williams,  Leonard  T.,  of  South  Reading;  born  in  Stoneham,  1839; 
enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  G,  i3th  Reg. ;  discharged 

1862,  for  disability. 

Williams,  Henry,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Phebe  D.  ;  enlisted  in  4th 

Cavalry. 

Williams,  James  E.,  of  South  Reading ;  enlisted  in  5th  Cavalry. 
Williams,  Alexander,  of  South  Reading,  representative  recruit  for  Peter 

Folsom  ;  enlisted  in  5th  colored  Heavy  Artillery. 
Williams,  Francis  E.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Francis  and  Laura  ;  born 

in  South  Reading,  1847  >  enlisted  1864,  for  one  year,  in  4th  Heavy 

Artillery. 
Williams,  Chas.    B.,  of  Boston;  enlisted   1864,  for  one  year,  in  4th 

Heavy  Artillery. 


632 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


Wilder,  Geo.  W.,  Jr.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Geo.  W. ;  born  at  South 
Reading  1823  ;  enlisted  1864,  for  three  years,  in  ist  Cavalry;  dis- 
charged 1862,  for  disability. 

Willan,  Thomas,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  John  and  Agnes,  born  in 
England,  1836  ;  enlisted  in  1863,  in  Co.  L,  ist  Heavy  Artillery ; 
taken  prisoner  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  22,  1864,  and  kept  at 
Andersonville  ;  paroled  Nov.  20,  1864. 

Wilkins,  Edward  L.,  of  South  Reading;  enlisted  1861,  for  three 
months,  in  Co.  E,  5th  Reg. ;  re-enlisted  1864,  in  4th  Heavy  Artil- 
lery. 

Woodfin,  John  H.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Moses  and  Joanna ;  born 
in  Marblehead,  1833  ;  enlisted  as  ist  Sergeant,  in  Co.  E,  i6th 
Reg.  ;  promoted  to  2d  Lieut,  May,  1863,  and  to  ist  Lieut.,  Aug. 
1863  ;  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Wilderness,  May  6,  1864. 

Woodis,  Hiram,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Josiah  C.  and  Lois;  born  at 
Bartlett,  N.  H.,  in  1820;  enlisted  1861,  in  Co.  E,  i6th  Reg.,  for 
three  years  ;  was  Corporal ;  wounded  at  Bull  Run  1862  ;  re-enlisted 
in  1864,  and  transferred  to  nth  Reg. 

Woodward,  Thomas  T.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Thomas  and  Esther ; 
b^rn  at  South  Reading,  1827  ;  was  a  seaman. 

Woofindale,  Geo.  H.,  of  South  Reading  ;  enlisted  for  one  year  in  Co.  D, 
3d  Heavy  Artillery. 

Wright,  Joseph  T.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Hiram  and  Lydia  ;  born 
at  Middleton,  1831  ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  years,  in  Co.  E,  i6th 
Reg.;  re-enlisted  in  1864  (for  Marblehead),  and  transferred  to 
nth  Mass.  Battalion  ;  wounded  in  arm  at  battle  of  Wilderness,  and 
died  in  consequence  in  1865. 

Wright,  Dexter  C.,  of  South  Reading,  son  of  Nathaniel  C.  and  Judith; 
served  with  the  100  days'  men. 

Wyman,  Wm.,  of  South  Reading ;  enlisted  for  three  years,  in  24th  Reg. 

Wyman,  Wm  ,  of  Melrose ;  enlisted  1861,  for  three  months,  in  Co.  E,  5th 
Reg. 

Warey,  James,  of  South  Reading;  born  in  1833  ;  enlisted  in  1861,  for 
three  years,  in  nth  Reg. 


Whole  number  of  men  furnished  by  South  Reading  during  the 

war,  including  re-enlistments,  was 505 

Number  killed  in  battle     .         .         .         .         .         .         .•»••'  18 

Number  died  of  disease  contracted  in  the  service    -:  1     '  <j         .  42 


OF   THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


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NORTH   READING. 

NAMES  OF  PERSONS  WHO  WERE  IN    THE    MILITARY    OR    NAVAL    SERVICE     DURING 
THE  WAR  OF  THE  REBELLION   FROM   NORTH  READING. 


Allen  Charles,  ist  Reg. 

Abbott,  Joseph  H.,  ist  Batt'y,  Ft.  Warren. 

Burrell,  Elbridge  W.,  ist  Batt'y  and  nth 

Reg. 

Bradlord,  D.  B.,  Sharpshooters. 
Bentley,  Noah,  I5th  Keg. 
Burditt,  Charles  J.,  33d  Reg. 
Burditt,  Charles,  2d  Reg. 
Burditt,  John  N.,  33d  Keg. 
Barker,  Henry  C.,  33d  Reg. 
Bartlett,  Joseph  H.,  32d  Reg. 
Batchelder,  Josiah,  i6th  Keg. 
Batchelder,  Joseph  T.  (Sergt.),  5oth  Reg. 
Buxton,  Edmund,  ist  Batt'y. 
Buxton,  Elijah,  ist  Batt'y. 
Brien  O.  John,  ist  Batt'y. 
Crane,  Dennis,  26th  Reg. 
Carleton,  Geo.  W.,  22d  Reg. 
Chapman,  Ezra  W.,  22d  Reg. 
Coney,  Chas.  W.  H.,  33d  Reg. 
Cross,  Samuel  B.,  33d  Reg. 
Curmick,  James  M.,  32d  Keg. 
Carr,  Arthur  W.,  33d  Reg. 
Cook,  Augustin  P.,  Signal  Corps  and  5016 

Reg. 

Coney,  John  S.  (Lieut.),  5oth  Reg. 
Coney,  Edward  S.,  ist  Batt'y. 
Case,  Daniel  W.,  5oth  Reg. 
Collins,  Patrick,  2d  Reg. 
Doe,  Geo.  W.,  Batt'y. 
Dane,  James  O.,  33d  Reg. 
Davis,  William,  32d  Reg. 
Deaty  Bradley  (Lieut.),  33d  Reg. 
Damon,  Christopher  C.,  5oth  Reg. 
Dixon,  John  H.,  2d  Reg. 
Dame,  James  A.,  ist  Batt'y. 
Eaton,  Daniel  W.,  Sharpshooters. 
Eaton,  Appleton  P.,  5oth  Reg. 
Eaton,  Edwin  (Ft  Warren),  ist  Batt'y. 
Eaton,  Thomas,  2d  Reg. 
Eaton,  Geo.  W.,  Signal  Corps. 
Flint,  Henry  E.,  Sharpshooters. 
Flint,  Henry  C.,  26th  and  59th  Reg. 
Flint,  Frank  S.,  nth  Keg. 
Flint,  Chas.  A.,  ist  Reg. 
Flint,  Asa  A.,  5Oth  Reg. 
Flint,  \Vm.  W.,  5oth  Reg. 
Flint,  C.  H.,  Batt'y. 
Flint,  W.  Scott,  2d  Reg. 
Fairbanks,  James  E.,  26th  Reg. 
Fry,  William,  33d  Reg. 
Foster,  Sumner,  2d  Reg. 
Gerry,  William,  nth  Reg. 
Green,  Geo.  W.,  5Oth  Reg. 
Gates,  Henry  A.,  5oth  Reg. 
Goodwin,  Samuel,  2d  Reg. 
Grant,  John,  28th  Reg. 


Hinman,  Edward  P.,  nth  Reg. 

Harris,  Thos.  W.,  5oth  Reg. 

Holt,  Milton  G.,  5oth  Reg. 

Hunter,  Wm.  A.,  5Oth  Reg. 

Haynes,  Geo.  H.,  Rifle  Corps. 

Jones,  John,  22d  Reg. 

Jenkins,  F.,  i6th  Keg. 

Jones,  Wm.  H.,  Frontier  Cavalry. 

Kelly,  Wm.,  33d  Reg. 

King,  Andrew  G.,  33d  Reg. 

Keawley,  Joseph,  Batt'y. 

Little,  Moses,  Batt'y. 

Munroe,  Brigham  A.,  2d  Reg. 

Munroe,  George,  ist  Reg. 

Mclntire,  Wm.  C.,  39th  Reg. 

Mclntire,  John,  nth  Keg. 

Mclntire,  Ezra,  I2th  Reg. 

Mclntire,  Chas.  H.,  26th  Reg. 

Mclntire,  Geo.  E.,  2d  Keg. 

Mclntire,  David  P.,  35th  and  ist  Reg. 

Mclntire,  Charles  W.,  35th  and  ist  Reg. 

Mclntire,  Horace  M.,  35th  and  ist  Reg. 

Mclntire,  Eliab  P.,  ist  Reg. 

Mclntire,  Dexter,  ist  Keg. 

Mclntire,  Daniel  D.,  ist  Reg. 

Mclntire,  Caleb,  ist  Reg. 

Mclntire,  Fred.  C.,  I5th  Reg. 

Mclntire,  Sylvester  H.,  Frontier  Cavalry. 

Munroe,  Chas.  M.,   Sig.  Corps  and  5Oth 

Reg. 

Mason,  Osro  (Ft.  Warren),  ist  Batt'n. 
Morton,  Chas.  H.,  5 ist  Reg. 
Munroe,  Wm.  H.,  2d  Reg. 
McMunus,  John,  Rifle  Corps. 
Nichols,  Geo.  W.,  22d  Reg. 
Nichols,  Moses  E.,  3d  Keg. 
Nichols,  Wm.  W.,  nth  Keg. 
Nichols,  Elijah,  33d  Reg. 
Nichols,  Nathaniel,  59th  and  5Oth  Regs. 
Nichols,  Amos  B.,  5<3th  Reg. 
Norwood,  George  A.,  3 ist  and  42d  Regs. 
Norwood,  James,  39th  and  42d  Regs. 
Orcutt,  Joseph  C.,  Sharpshooters. 
Proctor,  George  W.  N.,  2d  Reg. 
Poole,  John  F.,  33d  Reg. 
Platts,  Chas.  B.,  Sig.  Corps  and  5Oth  Reg. 
Platts,  George  H.,  ist  Batt'n. 
Powers,  William,  ist  Batt'n. 
Quailan,  J.  W.,  Artillery. 
Kayner,  Walter,  ist  Batt'n,  Fort  Warren. 
Kayner,  Warren  G.,  Illinois  Reg. 
Rice,  Chas.  W.,  35th  Reg. 
Smith  Joseph  A  ,  ist  Keg. 
Smith,  Chas.  H.,  2d  Reg. 
Smith  John  P ,  I4th  Reg. 
Simpson,  George  F.   nth  Reg. 
Sheldon,  George  F.,  R.  I.  Reg. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 


651 


Sheldon,  Rufus,  ist  Batt'y. 
Sidelinker,  G.  W.,  soth  Reg. 
Swan,  Daniel,  ist  Reg. 
Stearns,  C.  E.,  sgth  Reg. 
Sweetser,  Oliver  S.,  ist  Reg. 
Stewart,  J.  A.,  Battery. 
Travis,  Nathan  F.,  Sharpshooters. 
Tileston,  G.  H.,  33d  Reg 
Thompson,  William,  3<Dth  Reg. 
Watts,  Ruggles  T.,  33d  Reg. 
Weston,  Frank  C-,  5Oth  Reg. 

N.  B.  —  Some  of  the  following  named  persons  served  in  both  military  and  naval 
warfare :  — 


Weston,  Justin  M.,  5oth  Reg. 

White  house,  Chas.  EM  soth  Reg. 

Walls,  Paschal  A.,  Sig.  Corps  and  Soth 

Keg. 

Walls,  George  S.,  426.  Reg. 
Wright.  Thomas,  59th  Reg. 
Walsh,  Robert  B.,  4oth  Reg. 
Whipple,  Calvin,  ist  Keg. 
West,  Thomas  P.,  Frontier  Cavalry. 
Hammond,  Harrison  B.,  Signal  Corps. 


Donnell,  James  O.,  Jr.,  Navy. 
Gilchrist,  Frank  C.,  Navy. 
Hunter,  Needham,  Navy. 
Holt,  William  P.    Navy. 
Mclntire,  Caleb,  Navy. 


Morris,  John,  Navy. 
Reynolds,  John,  Navy. 
Weston,  Francis  C.,  Navy. 
White,  William  L.,  Navy. 


ROLL  OF  CO.  E,  SIXTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

REGULAR   SERVICE. THREE   YEARS'    ENLISTMENT. 

Captain.  —  John  Wiley,  2d,  South  Reading. 

First  Lieutenant. — James  R.  Darracott,  Boston. 

Second  Lieutenant, — James  Oliver,  South  Reading. 

Sergeants. — John  H.  Woodfin,  John  Cowdrey,  James  F.  Mansfield,  John  Day, 
Joseph  T.  Wright,  South  Reading. 

Corporals.  —  Henry  Goodell,  Woburn  ;  Jeremiah  S.  Batchelder,  South  Reading ; 
Clifford  B.  Fowle,  Woburn ;  Alvan  S.  Warren,  Hiram  Woodis,  Warren  Nichols, 
Henry  E.  Hilborn,  South  Reading ;  Hollis  M.  Oilman,  Lowell. 

Musicians.  —  John  A.  Thompson,  South  Reading  ;  Joseph  L.  Daniels,  Bellingham  ; 
Alonzo  S.  Norris,  Ellenburg,  N.  Y. 

Wagoner.  —  G.  F.  D.  Skinner,  of  South  Reading. 


Privates. 


Aborn,  Warren,  Reading. 
Allen,  John  F.,  Reading. 
Ansorge,  Alfred  E.,  Winchester. 
Adams,  Samuel  H.,  South  Reading. 
Babcock,  Chas.  F.,  Sherburne. 
Batchelder,  Josiah,  Jr.,  North  Reading. 
Bruce,  Clarence  M.,  South  Reading. 
Bancroft,  Benj.  F.,  South  Reading. 
Bancroft,  Win.,  Woburn. 
Bickford,  Chas.  F.,  South  Reading. 
Burditt,  Chas.  F.,  South  Reading. 
Burclitt,  Aaron,  South  Reading. 
Bent,  Amos  R.,  Bellingham. 
Bermingham,  John,  New  braintree. 
Bowen,  Geo.  E.,  North  Attleboro'. 
Bond,  James,  Jr.,  South  Reading. 
Cutler,  Benj.  S.,  Woburn. 
Campbell,  Wm.  M.,  East  Abington. 
Carter,  George,  South  Reading. 
Chapman,  Richard  W.,  South  Reading. 
Clifford,  Leonard,  South  Reading. 
Caldwell,  Samuel  P.,  Cambridge. 


Cutter,  Albert,  Woburn. 
Cutter,  Samuel  B.,  Woburn. 
Corcoran,  Thomas  H.,  Boston. 
Davis,  Royal  A.,  Winchester. 
Damon,  Albert,  Reading. 
Damon,  Henry,  Reading. 
Darling,  Edward  C.,  Lynn. 
Danforth,  Edwin  S.,  Woburn. 
Day,  John  A.,  Woburn 
Eaton,  John  H.,  South  Reading. 
Evans,  Thomas  A.,  South  Reading. 
Eaton,  James,  Saugus. 
Eaton,  Joseph,  Reading. 
Farnum,  William,  Somerville. 
Flagg,  Warren  F.,  Concord. 
Foster,  Henry  L.,  Stone  ham. 
Flint,  Herman,  Concord. 
Fairbern,  George  H.,  Somerville. 
Freeman,  William  T.,  Boston. 
Gates,  Samuel,  Woburn. 
Heath,  Micah,  South  Reading. 
Hettler,  Adam  H.,  South  Reading. 


652 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


Houseman,  John  M.,  South  Reading. 
Howard,  Charles,  Boston. 
Holbrook,  Amos  A.,  Upton. 
Hunnewell,  William  H.,  Winchester. 
Hutchinson,  John  A.,  Waltham. 
Hurd,  Joseph  L.,  South  Reading. 
Hart,  Charles  H.,  South  Reading. 
Jenkins,  Forrest,  North  Reading. 
Jennison,  Luther  P.,  Holliston. 
Joy,  Henry,  South  Randolph. 
Kelsey,  E.,  Chatham  Four  Corners,  N.  Y. 
Knowlton,  William  H.,  Hopkinton. 
Kennison,  Daniel  S.,  South  Reading. 
Kidder,  Daniel  W.,  Saugus. 
Lee,  John  F.,  South  Reading. 
Locke,  George  L.,  South  Reading. 
Marshall,  Charles  H.,  Holliston. 
Mellen,  Charles  A.,  Reading. 
Mansfield,  Joseph  H.,  South  Reading. 
Martin,  William  H.,  Chicopee. 
Newhall,  Elbridge  G.,  Lynnfield. 
Newhall,  Lucius  E.,  Lynn. 


Nichols,  Geo.  W.,  Southboro'. 
Nichols,  Hannibal,  South  Reading. 
Nichols,  Joseph,  Jr.,  CambridgeporL 
Perry,  Charles  H.,  Woburn. 
Pratt,  Benj.  C.,  South  Reading. 
Richards,  Fred.  S.,  South  Reading. 
Rogers,  Peter  M.,  Stoneham. 
Safford,  Edward  P.,  South  Boston. 
Snow,  Robert  F.,  Chelsea. 
Stimpson,  James  W.,  South  Reading. 
Sweetser,  Luther,  South  Reading. 
Sweetser,  Francis,  South  Reading. 
Smith,  Charles  H.,  Woburn. 
Simmons,  John  N.,  Woburn. 
Stone,  Orrin,  South  Reading. 
Symmes,  Rufus,  Limerick,  Me. 
Taber,  Thomas,  Sherburne. 
Townley,  Benjamin,  South  Reading. 
Wiley,  George  H.,  South  Reading. 
Whitford,  John,  South  Reading. 
Wrin,  Edward,  Roxbury. 


ROLL  OF  CO.  D,  FIFTIETH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 
NINE  MONTHS'  SERVICE,  1862-3. 

Captain.  —  Josiah  W.  Coburn,  Reading. 

First  Lieutenant.  —  John  S.  Coney,  North  Reading. 

Second  Lieutenant.  —  Oramel  G.  Abbott,  Reading. 

Sergeants.  —  Stephen  P.  Rowell,  Melrose ;  Levi  Swain,  Jr.,  Wilmington;  Harley 
Prentiss,  Reading;  Edmund  D.  Pearson,  Wilmington;  Joseph  T.  Batchelder,  North 
Reading ;  George  J.  Bartlett,  Asa  C.  Buck,  Reading. 

Corporals.  —  James  P.  Morton,  Wilmington;  Geo.  M.  Peas!  ee,  Wm.  Buck,  Wm. 
H.  Nash,  Reading ;  Justine  M.  Weston,  North  Reading  ;  Samuel  T.  Sweetser,  Daniel 
G.  Richardson,  Reading  ;  Augustine  P.  Cook,  North  Reading  ;  Tobias  Pinkham,  Asa 
P.  Tibbetts,  Reading. 

Musician.  —  John  L.  Farwell,  Reading. 

Wagoner.  —  George  Rogers,  Reading. 


Privates. 


Bunker,  Noble,  Reading. 

Battelle,  Chas.  P.,  Reading. 

Boyce,  Chas.  M.,  Reading. 

Bruce,  Geo.  G.,  Reading. 

Bancroft,  Henry  L.,  Wilmington. 

Bancroft,  Geo.,  Wilmington. 

Blanchard,  Edwin,  Wilmington. 

Bancroft,  Haskel  K.,  Reading. 

Barnes,  John  A.,  Reading. 

Cook,  Geo.  W.,  Salem. 

Coney,  Geo.  A.,  Reading. 

Coney,  Geo.  C.,  Reading. 

Carr,  Daniel  W.,  Wilmington. 

Damon,  Christopher  C.,  North  Reading. 

Delay,  Jeremiah,  Reading. 

Evans,  Chas.  A.,  Reading. 

Eames,  Henry  W.,  Wilmington. 

Eaton,  Appleton  P.,  North  Reading. 

Eaton,  Moses  F.,  Reading. 


Fortiss,  Wm.,  Wilmington. 
Frost,  Charles  C.,  Reading. 
Fletcher,  Nathan  B.,  Reading. 
Flint,  George  B.,  North  Reading. 
Fulton,  Joseph  W.,  Andover. 
Flint,  Wm.  W.,  North  Reading. 
Flint,  Asa  A.,  North  Reading. 
Gowing,  Charles,  Lawrence. 
Green,  Gee.  W.,  North  Reading. 
Goodwin,  George  H.,  Reading. 
Grover,  Charles  A.,  Reading. 
Gowing,  Gayton,  Wilmington. 
Gale,  Henry  A.,  North  Reading. 
Harnden,  George  W.,  Andover. 
Hunter,  William  A.,  North  Reading. 
Harris,  Thomas  W.,  North  Reading. 
Holt,  Squire,  Reading. 
Hopkins,  Joseph  B.,  Reading. 
Hopkins,  Geo.  W.,  Reading. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


653 


Howard,  John  L.,  Wilmington. 
Harnden,  Otis,  Wilmington. 
Holt,  Milton  G.,  North  Reading. 
Holt,  Charles,  Reading. 
Jenkins,  Charles,  North  Reading. 
Jones,  Loring,  North  Reading. 
Kendall,  Waldo  T.,  Charlestown. 
LaClair,  Wm.,  Reading. 
Marshall,  Wm.  H.,  Reading. 
Munroe,  Chas.  M.,  North  Reading. 
Myers,%Chas.,  Reading. 
Mclntire,  Amos,  Heading. 
McAleer,  Joseph,  Reading. 
Miligan,  George,  Wilmington. 

•Js,  Amos  B.,  North  Reading. 
Nichols,  Nathaniel,  North  Reading. 
Nichols,  Wm.  R.,  Reading. 
Nichols,  Edward  E.,  Reading. 
Pearson,  Daniel  N.,  Wilmington. 
Parker,  Edward,  Reading. 
Parker,  Clarkson,  Reading. 


Pratt,  Stillman  M.,  Reading. 
Pratt,  Edward  E.,  Reading. 
Platts,  Chas.  B.,  North  Reading. 
Perkins,  Walter  G.,  Reading. 
Prentiss,  Samuel,  Reading. 
Pearson,  Geo.  O.,  Wilmington. 
Richardson,  Horace  A.,  Reading. 
Sidelinker,  Geo.  W.,  North  Reading. 
Taylor,  Chas.,  Reading. 
Trull,  John  A.,  Andover. 
Upton,  Russell,  Wilmington. 
Upton,  Ambrose,  Wilmington. 
Williams,  Joseph  F.,  Reading. 
Weston,  Nelson  S.,  Reading. 
Weston,  Francis  C.,  North  Reading. 
Walls,  Paschal  A.,  Reading. 
Wright,  Hiram  F.,  Reading. 
Weston,  John  H.,  Reading. 
Whitman,  Albert  H.,  Reading. 
Whitehouse,  Charles  E.,  North  Reading. 


ROLL  OF  CO.  E,  FIFTIETH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NINE  MONTHS'  SERVICE,  1862-3. 

Captain. —  Samuel  F.  Littlefield,  South  Reading. 

First  Litutenant.  —  Horace  M.  Warren,  South  Reading. 

Second  Lieutenant.  —  James  D.  Draper,  South  Reading. 

Sergeants.  —  Jason  H.  Knight,  James  M.  Sweetser,  James  A.  Burditt,  Charles  F. 
Hartshorn,  George  K.  Gilman,  Geo.  H.  Green,  Thos.  Sweetser,  South  Reading. 

Corf  orals.  —  Joseph  S.  Eustis,  James  M.  Morrill,  John  Q.  A.  Parker,  W.  N.  Tyler, 
Rufus  F.  Draper,  Geo.  Carter,  South  Reading ;  Myron  H.  Whittredge,  Lynnfield ; 
Chas.  S.  Emerson,  South  Reading. 

Privates. 


Anderson,  Geo.  W.,  South  Reading. 
Aborn,  Henry,  South  Reading. 
Bru.ce,  Jasper  F.,  South  Reading. 
Brown,  John  C.,  Saugus. 
Brown,  Benjamin  V..  Lynnfield. 
Barber,  Thomas,  South  Reading. 
Brown,  Charles  H.,  Hingham. 
Butterfield,  Francis  M.,  Saugus. 
Barren,  Elliot  F.,  Melrose. 
Bent,  John  S.,  Boston. 
Brown,  Jonas  G.,  Melrose. 
Cox,  Geo.,  Lynnfield. 
Cox,  James  P.,  Melrose. 
Crow,  Wm.  L,,  South  Reading. 
Cartwright,  Joseph,  South  Reading. 
Cooper,  Reuben  L.,  South  Reading. 
Dix,  Joseph  O.,  Melrose. 
Danforth,  Alfred  W.,  South  Reading. 
Deadman,  Wm.  D.,  South  Reading. 
Davis,  Chas.  H.,  South  Reading. 
Dodge,  Ignatius,  Topsfield. 
Degen,  Chas.  F.,  Watertown. 
Donoghue,  John  J.,  Melrose. 
Eustis,  Wm.  C.,  Cambridge. 
Eaton,  John  Smith,  South  Reading. 


Eaton,  Chester  W.,  South  Reading. 
Emerson,  Justus,  Lynnfield. 
Estes,  O'Neal  J.,  South  Reading. 
Farrell,  Michael,  Melrose. 
Fisk,  Willard  L.,  Saugus. 
Fisk,  Joseph  A.,  South  Reading. 
Fuller,  George  P.,  Melrose. 
Hamilton,  Robert,  South  Reading. 
Harrington,  Chas.  T.,  South  Reading. 
Hawkes,  John,  South  Reading. 
Knight,  Henry  C.,  South  Reading. 
Kingman,  Wm.  W.,  South  Reading. 
Lyman,  Henry  H.,  South  Reading. 
Moses,  Geo.,  South  Reading. 
Murkland,  Robt  L.,  South  Reading. 
Miller,  Chas.  C.,  South  Reading. 
McAllister,  Geo.  H.,  Melrose. 
Morton,  Joseph,  Wilmington. 
Moses,  John  F.,  South  Reading. 
Moore,  John  L.,  South  Reading. 
Newman,  J.  Frank,  South  Reading. 
Newhall,  David,  South  Reading. 
Place,  Franklin  C.,  Charlestown. 
Pope,  Jacob  H.,  South  Reading. 
Prentice,  Chas.,  Melrose. 


654 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


Pilling,  Jonathan,  South  Reading:. 
Resterrick,  Walter,  South  Reading. 
Randall,  Howard,  Raynham. 
Richardson,  Osborne,  Jr.,  Lynnfield. 
Richardson,  Irving,  Lynnfield. 
Snell,  Franklin  L.,  South  Reading. 
Snell,  Louis  A.,  South  Reading. 
Skinner,  Wm.  S.,  South  Reading. 
Shelton,  Thos.,  Melrose. 
Stafford,  Wm.  C.,  Saugus. 
Symonds,  Chas.  H.,  Maiden. 


Sweetser,  Elbridge  L.,  South  Reading. 
Stimpson,  Wm.  W.,  South  Reading. 
Trefethen,  Benjamin,  Saugus. 
Thompson,  Geo.  A.,  South  Reading. 
Tibbetts,  Geo.  E.,  South  Reading. 
Tyler,  Geo.  L.,  South  Reading. 
Upton,  Augustine,  Danvers. 
Unrah,  Geo.  R.,  Maiden. 
Winship,  Samuel,  South  Reading. 
Walton,  Oliver,  2d,  South  Reading. 
Wellman,  Henry  B.,  Lynnfield. 


LIST  OF  THE  ENROLLED  MEN  OF  SOUTH  READING, 

AND    THE   AMOUNT   THAT   EACH    PAID    IN    AID    OF    FILLING    THE    QUOTA, 
UNDER   THE   CALL   OF   JULY    l8,    1864. 


[Those  marked  with  a  star  *  denote  they  were  in  the  service  at  the  time  of  the  call, 
or  absent  from  the  Town.] 


Aborn,  John  G.        $150 

00 

Burditt,  Joseph  T. 

Dager,  Thomas 

fo° 

rO 

Atwell,  William  H. 

1  20 

00 

Burditt,  William 

Dager,  Alfred  A. 

25 

00 

Adams,  J.  W. 

65 

00 

Burditt,  Henry 

*Deadman,  Wm.  D. 

25 

00 

Armour,  William  L. 

30 

CO 

*Burditt,  James  A. 

Dean,  J.  W. 

25 

00 

Adams,  Charles  W. 

25 

CO 

Cutter,  George  W.  $125 

oo  Dunn,  H.  B. 

25 

CO 

*Aborn,  Henry 

Coombs,  S.  G.  B.      no 

oo  J  Daland,  George  A. 

20 

C  0 

Arrington,  Geo.  B. 

Cardell,  E.  Lvman 

75 

oo  Davis,  John 

IO 

00 

Aborn,  F.  W. 

Cheney,  Chas.  H.  R. 

Co 

co  Davis,  C.  Horton 

10 

oO 

*Allen,  Richard  W. 

Chapman,  Amos  W. 

55 

oo  *Danforth,  A.  H. 

Blanchard,  Abner  J. 

150 

CO 

Currier,  Samuel  E. 

5o 

oo  i  *Day,  Joseph  L. 

Bicknell,  Alfred 

15° 

00 

Currier,  A.  A. 

50 

ool*Danforth,  N.  F. 

Brown,  James,  Jr. 

IOO 

CO 

Cowdrey,  Waldo  E. 

5° 

oo  Drake,  Alvan,  Jr. 

Bailey,  Isaiah  W. 

60 

00 

Coombs,  A.  B. 

5° 

oo;*Dunn,  William  A. 

Buck,  Aaron  D. 

60 

00 

Clark,  Asaph 

oo  i  Doe,  Albert 

m 

Britton,  Richard 

55 

00 

Clark,  Sylvanus 

2; 

oo  Davis,  Talbert  C. 

Beach,  Horace  H. 

55 

00 

Cash,  William  L. 

25 

oo  :  Dennett,  John  F. 

Blanchard,  Abner  >i 

00 

Cash,  J.  T. 

oo  Day,  John 

Bancroft,  Joseph  W. 

5° 

CO 

Carter,  Charles  S. 

20 

oo  *Draper,  Ruf  us  F. 

Brown,  Charles  B. 

5° 

00 

Chadwick,  Joseph 

15 

oo  Emerson,  James  F. 

150 

00 

Bullen,  George 

5° 

00 

Carter,  Charles,  2d 

10 

oo  Evans,  Moritello  C. 

55 

0  J 

Bliss,  Charles  R. 

5° 

00 

Carey,  Gilman 

10 

oo  Emerson,  John  H. 

5o 

00 

Burrill,  Alonzo  P. 

5° 

oo 

Churchill,  L.  O. 

10 

oo  Emerson,  Chas.  S. 

5° 

00 

Bishop,  James  H. 

oo  '  Carey,  Daniel 

Emerson,  Putnam 

5° 

L  J 

Burbank,  B.  B. 

25 

oo  '  Colby,  George 

Eames,  Joshua 

5° 

0',) 

Boardman,  Moses  B 

•  25 

oo  ;  Cox,  Timothy 

Eaton,  Henry  L. 

5° 

L.   J 

Brierly,  J.,  Jr. 

25 

oo   Clements,  Chas.  E. 

Eaton,  Isaac  F. 

5o 

oo 

Burditt,  M.  B. 

20 

oo  *Carey,  George  E. 

Eaton,  John  Sullivan  50 

do 

Barker,  H.  F. 

IO 

oo   *Carter,  George 

Emerson,  James  E. 

35 

6 

Burgess,  Edwin  B. 

IO 

oo  *Coon,  William  L. 

Eaton,  Levi  B. 

25 

' 

Bayrd,  C.  1* 

IO 

oo  *Carr,  Thornton  B. 

Eaton,  Chester  W. 

25 

00 

Butler.  William 

5 

oo  :  Copp,  John  H. 

Eaton,  Everett  W. 

25 

•  0 

Butterfield,  E.  A. 

5 

oo   Dole,  William 

5° 

oo  Evans,  George  W. 

25 

00 

Burditt,  Sylvester 

3 

oo  i  Dole,  John 

oo  Eager,  John 

IO 

o  -• 

Boardman,  John  T. 

Degen,  H.  D. 

50 

oo  Emerson,  D.  W. 

IO 

00 

Butler,   Henry 

Draper,  James  D. 

5° 

oo  *Emerson,  Rufus  H. 

Butler,  Aaron,  Jr. 

Dearborn,  George  E. 

50 

oo 

Emerson,  Howard 

OF  THE  TOWN  OF  READING. 


655 


Emerson,  L.  N. 

Kidder,  C.  E.             $10  oo  Oliver,  David  B.       £10  oo 

Evans,  William  O. 

*Knight,  Albert  M.               1  Oliver,  Charles  M. 

Eames,  Daniel 

Kirby,  Thomas 

Oliver,  John 

Eaton,  Henry 

Kennedy,  Patrick 

Oliver,  John  G. 

Eaton,  S.  A. 

*Knight,  Jason  H. 

Oliver,  Ernest  E. 

Eaton,  John  B. 

*Kingman,  William  W. 

Philpot,  Cyrus  A.        75  oo 

Eustis,  Joseph  S. 

Lewis,  William  W.   100  oo 

Packard,  George          65  oo 

Fields,  H.  G.             $25  oo 

Locke,  John  W.           75  oo  Pierce,  James  M.         60  oo 

Flint,  Luther  W.         25  oo 

Le  Baron,  Ziba            50  oo  Peacock,  Frank  R.      60  oo 

Fifield,  Charles  A.      25  oo 

Leighton,  Jacob           25  oo  Parker,  Samuel,  Jr.     50  oo 

Fairbanks,  David  S.   20  oo 

Lane,  Loami  C.           25  oo  Patch,  Charles             50  oo 

Flint,  Silas  W.              5  oo 

Lord,  George               15  oo  Phipps,  J.  W.              40  go 

Fogg,  Lewis 

Leathers,  Albert  N.     10  oo  Pratt,  George               35  oo 

Farnsworth,  C.  P. 

*Lucas,  Edward 

Parker,  James  E.         25  oo 

*  Foster,  Albert  A. 

*Lucas,  James  H. 

Porter,  Elam                25  oo 

Goodwin,  Andrew       60  oo 

Lawrence,  Henry 

Putney,  Samuel            20  oo 

Godfrey,  Warren  H.   50  oo 

Lowe,  Joseph  K. 

Pope,  J.  Holman         20  oo 

Gilman,  George  K.      15  oo 

Leavitt,  Freeman 

Phillips,  Joseph  A.      10  oo 

Gammon,  Orlando      15  oo 

Mansfield,  A.  A.         60  oo 

Perkins,  David             10  oo 

Grey,  Israel                  10  oo 

.Martin,  William           50  oo 

Pillings,  Joseph            10  oo 

Griffin,  Francis  J.          500 

Martin,  Frederic          50  oo  Parker,  W.  D.                5  oo 

Gould,  Thomas 

Mansfield,  Benjamin   50  oo  Phillips,  Micah              5  oo 

Griffin,  Woodbury 

Merrill,  Greeley           50  oo   Pitman,  Lawrence  J. 

Hartshorne,  Jacob  C.  75  oo 

Morton,  Joseph            50  oo;Plummer,  William 

Hart,  Everett               75  oo 

Mayo,  N.  C.                 50  oo   Plummer,  William  J. 

Hawkes,  Albert           60  oo 

Mason,  D.  P.                50  oo 

Parker,  Henry 

Harrington,  C.  T.       55  oo 

Murkland,  RobL  L.    30  oo 

Perkins,  Zcnas 

Hutchinson,  A.  J.      .  55  oo 

McCarty,  J.  B.             25  oo 

Putney,  George  H. 

Harrington,  Wm.  H.  50  co 

Morton,  J.  K.               25  oo 

Parker,  John  O_.  A. 

Haskell,  Daniel  F.      50  oo 

Mcrrian,  A.  E.             20  oo  Kipley,  Thomas  W.    50  oo 

Hartshorne,  John  W.  50  oo 

Moody,  L.  J.                15  oo 

Rayner,  William  E.     50  oo 

Hartshorne,  H.  G.       50  oo 

McMahan,  Thomas     15  oo 

Rayner.  James             50  oo 

Hartshorne,  Jona.  F.  50  oo 

McMasters,  Samuel     10  oo 

Reed,  John  J.              50  oo 

Hutchinson,  Oscar      50  oo 

Magner,  William         10  oo 

Reagan,  P.  J.                30  oo 

Hawkes,  L.  B.             50  oo 

Maxim,  Charles  R.      10  oo 

Richardson,  Warren  25  oo 

Hollis,  John  B.             50  oo 

Mayo,  Samuel                5  oo 

Ryder,  Verenas  H.      25  oo 

Holt,  F.  J.                    50  oo 

•Marshall,  Cyrus  E. 

Kipley,  A.  N.                10  oo 

Hart,  Henry  J.            25  oo 

•McKay,  Joseph  C. 

Rayner,  John                  5  °° 

Hill,  Hiram  P.            25  oo 

•Mansfield,  Edward  G. 

Ripley,  Daniel  S. 

Hamblin,  Wm.  A.       25  oo 

•Morse,  John  S. 

Rand,  John 

Hartshorne,  C  has.  F.  15  oo 

•McAllister,  David 

Russell,  George  W. 

Hartshorne,  W.  H.     10  oo 

Martin,  Harvey 

Richardson,  S.  O.,  Jr. 

Hopkins,  E.  G.              5  oo 

•Mayson,  James 

•Ransom,  E.  M. 

Hawkes,  Adam  A. 

•Marshall,  Benjamin 

Reed,  Luther 

*Heath,  William  S. 

Mansfield,  Eugene  E. 

Rimrey,  Jonathan  C. 

*Hartshorne,  Jere.  W. 

•Morrill,  James  M. 

Riley,  P. 

Hewes,  Edwin  L. 

•Moulton,  Erastus 

Stevens,  John            100  oo 

Hoyt,  Henry  D. 

Niles,  Charles  E.        50  oo 

Swain,  S.  O.               100  oo 

*Hilbourn,  Henry  E. 

Newhall,  William  J.    50  oo 

Savage,  J.  G.               60  OQ 

Hill,  G.  S. 

Newhall,  John  S.         25  oo  Stoddard,  Wm.  O.      60  oo 

*Hanglin,  William 

Nickerson,  S.  H.          20  oo  Sweetser,  John  E.        50  OQ 

•Hart,  John  F. 

Nichols,  Everett          20  oo  Stowell,  Issachar,  3d  50  oo 

Harding,  James 

Nichols,  James             10  oo  Stowell,  H.  W.            25  OQ 

*Hurd,  Joseph  L. 

•Newhalf,  Elbridge                 Spear,  William           25  oo 

Hawkes,  John 

Nichols,  George  R.                Stearns,  Charles  H.    25  OQ 

Jenkins,  J.  W.             50  oo 

•Nichols,  George  H.              Sweetser,  E.  Felton    25  OQ 

Jameson,  James           35  oo 

Nickerson,  Franklin 

Seaver,  R.                    20  oo 

Jones,  A.  N.                 10  oo 

Newhall,  David 

Sawin,  Lvman              10  oo 

Jordan,  Charles 

•Newman,  J.  Frank                Strong,  W.  G.               10  oo 

Jameson,  Edward 

Oliver,  B.  W.               30  oo  Sheldon,  Isaac  F.        10  oo 

Keene,  Lorenzo  D.      60  oo 

O'Leary,  Richard        15  oo  Stimpson,  Geo.W.  Jr.  10  oo 

Knight,  H.  C.              20  oo 

O'Niel,  Michael           15  oo  Spaulding,  Frank          5  oo 

656 


GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


*Stoddard,  Geo.  W. 

Thomas,  G.  W.         $1000 

Williams,  Leonard  T.  $5  oo 

Skinner,  Benjamin  D. 

Twisden,  Thomas        10  oo 

White,  Cyrus  N.            5  oo 

Sweetser,  Thomas 

*Tibbetts,  Albert  H. 

*  Wiley,  William  H. 

*Spaulding,  John  W. 

Thompson,  John  F. 

Wiley,  Joseph  L. 

Sweetser,  Jewett  B. 

Twiss,  A.  j. 

*Wiley,  J.  Barnard 

*Smilie,  John  H. 

Tucker,  John  P. 

*Wheeler,  Morris  P. 

*Simons,  Artemas 

Tarbox,  Charles  W. 

*Wright,  Frank  M. 

Sharpe,  Daniel  W. 

*Tuttle,  H.  B. 

*Wilkins,  E.  L. 

Smith,  Thomas 

Tuttle,  Joseph 

Walker.  Charles  R. 

Seaver,  George  A. 

Tibbetts,  George  E. 

Whitney,  Edward  W. 

Simms,  John 

Trask,  Charles 

*Wright,  Dexter  C. 

*Sheafe,  Joseph  P. 

Upton,  E.  A.                25  oo 

*Walton,  Samuel  L. 

*Sawyer,  Sylvester 

Upton,  E.  P.                10  oo 

Walker,  James 

Smith,  Frederic 

Unknown,                       4  oo 

*Wiley,  Baxter  J. 

Stowell,  Elbridge  W. 

Varney,  Charles 

Wiley,  Enos 

Simons,  John  A. 

Walker,  Thomas  B.  no  oo 

*Wiley,  Ira,  Jr. 

Sweetser,  Oliver  S. 

Woodward,  Jas.  F.      75  oo 

Wiley,  David 

*Sweetser,  James  M. 

Winship,  John             65  oo 

Walton,  James  C.  W. 

Sweetser,  E.  Leroy 

Wiggin,  Samuel  J.      60  oo 

Weldon,  William 

Toppan,  Charles      $200  oo 

Walton,  E.  H.     '         50  oo 

*Wiley,  Elbridge  A. 

Tasker,  Lyman  H.     100  oo 

Walton,  J.  Dunn         50  oo 

Woodward,  Thomas  T. 

Tasker,  Eben              100  oo 

Welch,  Michael           25  oo 

Winship,  Samuel 

Trow,  Charles              55  oo 

Woods,  Albert  C.       25  oo 

Walton,  Oliver,  2d 

Townsend,  Warren     50  oo 

Wiley,  James  M.          25  oo 

Travis,  Henry  H.        25  oo 

Wright,  J.  W.              15  oo 

Total,                  $8,472  oo 

Taylor,  Marcus  C.       20  oo 

Williams,  F.                 10  oo 

Tyler,  George  L.         15  oo 

Wiley,  Warren            10  oo 

AMOUNT    RECEIVED   FROM    CITIZENS   NOT    ENROLLED. 

Allen,  Daniel           $125  oo 

Greene,  Thomas        $25  oo 

Oliver,  Daniel  S.        $10  oo 

Atwell,  John                35  oo 

Gardner,  Samuel         20  oo 

Oliver,  William            10  oo 

Beebe,  Lucius              50  oo 

Greene,  C.  W.              10  oo 

Oliver,  E.  S.                   3  oo 

Baker,  F.  M.                  5  oo 

Gammon,  Nelson        10  oo 

Parker,  Samuel  T.       10  oo 

Boswell,  James  O.         2  oo 

Gammon,  H.  W.           5  oo 

Richardson,  S.  O.      200  oo 

Coffin,  N.  R.                50  oo 

Hurd,  F.  P.                200  oo 

Raddin,  R.  H.              10  oo 

Cowdrey,  Jonas           25  oo 

Hardy,  George  A.       50  oo 

Sweetser,  P.  H.           50  oo 

Coffin,  A.  H.                10  do 

Hill,  C.  H.                     5  oo 

Sweetser,  A.  G.           25  oo 

Crocker,  L.                   10  oo 

Kingman,  Samuel        15  oo 

Sweetser,  A.  N.            15  oo 

Clifford,  Curtis              5  oo 

Knight,  Manasseh       50  oo 

Swift,  S.  B.                  10  oo 

Dolliver,  Horatio         15  oo 

Kimball,  J.  H.              10  oo 

Upham,  E.  S.               10  oo 

Dager,  Haley  F.           15  oo 

Knowles,  H.                   5  oo 

Walton,  Daniel  G.      75  oo 

Donnavan,  Timothy     5  oo 

Lane,  D.  P.                  20  oo 

Winship,  Thomas       75  oo 

Emerson,  Thomas      125  oo 

Loring,  Thomas  D.     10  oo 

Waite,  R.  P.                 25  oo 

Evans,  L.  B.                 50  oo 

Mansfield,  Edward    100  oo 

Waite,  W.  B.              25  oo 

Eaton,  Lilley                25  oo 

Mansfield,  J.  D.           25  oo 

Wheeler,  P.  C.            25  oo 

Folsom,  Peter            125  oo 

Nash,  Stephen  G.      125  oo 

Wiley,  Leonard           20  oo 

Fairbanks,  Lewis         10  oo 

Newhall,  William        12  oo 

Wheelock,  D.  B.         20  oo 

Ford,  Edward               10  oo 

Newman,  J.  H.             10  oo 

Gould,  Samuel             25  oo 

Norcross,  Daniel           3  oo 

Total,                 $2,077  °o 

Greene,  Jeremiah        25  oo 

Nichols,  Hero                2  oo 

Ofr    THE    TOWN  OF  READING. 


657 


TREASURER'S    REPORT. 


CONTRIBUTORS  TO  THE  RECRUITING  FUND  IN  ACCOUNT  WITH 
GEORGE  W.  CUTTER,  Treasurer. 

CR. 
Amount  received  from  Contributors $10,549 


for  I  year 
"        " 


DR. 

Amount  paid  43  Recruits  ($175.00) 
Amount  paid  6  Recruits  ($200.00)        ..... 

S.  O.  Richardson,  Jr.,  aid  in  procuring  Substitute  for  3  years 

James  F.  Emerson,          "  "  "  "        " 

J.  G.  Aborn,  "  "  "  " 

S.  O.  Swain,  "  "  "  "        " 

T.  B.  Walker,  "  "  " 

William  H.  Atwell,          "  " 

Printing  and  Stationery  ....... 

Uncurrent  Money        ........ 

Amount  deposited  at  State  House  for  i  representative  Recruit 
Balance  on  hand         ........ 

RECAPITULATION. 

Amount  received  from  Enrolled  Men    -  .  - 

"  "  "     Citizens  not  enrolled      -        •  • 


$7,525  oo 
1,200  oo 

200  OO 
200  00 
2OO  OO 
2OO  OO 
175  00 

175  oo 

40  oo 

10  OO 

125  oo 
499  oo 

$10,549  oo 

$8,472  oo 
2,077  0° 

$10,549  oo 


NAMES    OF    VOLUNTEERS 

WHO  ENLISTED  TO  FILL  THE  QUOTA  OF  SOUTH  READING,  UNDER 
THE  CALL  OF  JULY  18,  1864. 


Charles  B.  Williams. 
William  McQueeney. 
Nathaniel  C.  Mayo. 
John  Davis. 
C.  H.  k.  Cheney. 
Daniel  H.  Wadlin. 
Charles  W.  Adams. 
Charles  H.  Davis. 
John  W.  Phipps. 
William  Butler. 
Georgi  L.  Tyler. 
Warren  H.  Godfrey. 
Albert  N.  [Bathers. 
John  Hawkes. 
F.  C.  Williams. 
Andrew  J.  Dow. 
A.  H.  Danforth. 

83 


Charles  A.  Fifield. 
Henry  Hunt. 
John  H.  Emerson. 
W.  C.  Pasco. 
Patrick  Kelley. 
L.  C.  Lane. 
W.  F.  Cowdrey. 
Caleb  S.  Wiley. 
Edward  L,  Wilkins. 
William  A.  Hamblin. 
James  H.  Pierce. 
Allen  M.  Ripley. 
James  Harnden. 
John  F.  Thompson. 
Andrew  Goodwin. 
Henry  D.  Churchill. 


Noah  M.  Eaton. 
George  A.  Seaver. 
George  H.  Jackson. 
George  Hunt 
Frederick  W.  Aborn. 
Joseph  Morton. 
Marcus  M.  Sherman. 
Varenus  H.  Ryder. 
James  D.  Draper. 
D.  C.  Smith. 
Thomas  Kirby. 
John  W.  Lyons. 
Patrick  Green. 
Patrick  Forbes. 
John  W.  Madden. 
Thomas  Rowland. 


658  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 


CHAPTER    XV. 


IN    MEMORIAM. 

"  So  shalt  thou  rest. 

Yet  not  to  thine  eternal  resting-place 
Shalt  thou  retire  alone,  —  nor  couldst  thou  wish 
Couch  more  magnificent.    Thou  shalt  lie  down 
With  patriarchs  of  the  infant  world,  —  with  kings, 
The  powerful  of  the  earth,  — the  wise,  the  good,  — 
Fair  forms,  and  hoary  seers  of  ages  past, 
All  in  one  mighty  sepulchre. 

41  As  the  long  train 

Of  ages  glide  away,  the  sons  of  men  — 
The  youth  in  life's  green  spring,  and  he  who  goes 
In  the  full  strength  of  years,  matron  and  maid, 
And  the  sweet  babe,  and  the  gray-headed  man  — 
Shall,  one  by  one,  be  gathered  to  thy  side 
By  those  who  in  their  turn  shall  follow  them." 

Bryant. 


DR.   NATHAN    RICHARDSON, 

Son  of  Nathan  and  Mary  (Belknap)  Richardson,  was  born  in  Brook- 
field  (Worcester  County),  Mass.,  Nov.  16,  1781. 

His  early  education  was  limited  to  the  town  school,  which  was  usu- 
ally kept  about  seven  months  of  the  year,  and  during  the  remainder  he 
assisted  on  his  father's  farm,  which  comprised  many  acres  in  extent. 
As  a  boy,  he  was  very  fond  of  books,  and  read  everything  that  came  in 
his  way.  His  mother  used  to  relate  many  anecdotes  of  his  love  of 
reading, — as,  when  sent  to  the  post-office,  several  miles  distant,  he  would 
buy  a  book  with  the  money  given  him  to  purchase  his  dinner,  and  on 
his  way  home  would  let  the  horse  stroll  leisurely  along  at  will,  while  he 
was  absorbed  in  his  newly  acquired  volume.  His  father,  becoming 
exasperated  at  his  over-fondness  for  reading,  and  the  neglect  of  his 
labor  on  the  farm,  threatened  to  burn  every  book  he  possessed.  This 
compelled  him  to  conceal  his  books  in  the  barn,  and  while  pitching 


OF  THE   TOWN  Of  READING. 


659 


down  hay  from  a  loft  one  day,  his  father  was  surprised  at  the  sudden 
appearance  of  a  shower  of  books. 

This  love  of  reading  continued  through  life.  Poetry  seemed  to  pos- 
sess the  most  attraction.  His  memory  of  what  he  read  enabled  him 
to  repeat  the  whole  of  Pope's  "  Essay  on  Man,"  Milton's  "  Paradise 
Lost,"  and  the  "  Book  of  Job."  Although  never  a  disputant,  yet  he 
would  not  hesitate  to  measure  weapons  with  any  minister  who  chose  to 
argue  with  him.  His  general  information  was  extensive,  and  he  had  a 
large  fund  of  humorous  anecdotes  in  constant  readiness. 

In  what  year  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  it  is  not  recol- 
lected ;  but  he  was  a  student  of  the  famous  Dr.  Kittredge,  in  company 
with  Dr.  D.  A.  Grosvenor,  who  settled  in  Reading. 

Nov.  28,  1805,  when  twenty-four  years  of  age,  he  married  Asenath 
Rice,  of  Brookfield,  and  went  to  North  Reading,  where  he  began  the 
practice  of  a  physician.  That  he  possessed  a  peculiar  aptitude  for  his 
calling  was  immediately  apparent.  He  soon  had  the  custom  of  that 
entire  community,  and  also  of  the  neighboring  towns.  While  residing 
in  North  Reading,  two  sons  were  born,  —  Winslow  and  Solon  Osmond. 
Winslow  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  in  South  Reading ;  and  Solon 
Osmond  was  educated  as  a  physician,  became  eminent,  and  died  Aug. 
3J>  1873. 

After  several  years'  residence  in  North  Reading,  Dr.  Richardson 
removed  to  Reading,  and  occupied  the  house  now  owned  by  Mr.  Apple- 
ton,  on  the  road  leading  to  Woburn.  His  wife  died  here  Sept.  8, 1820. 
He  then  determined  to  remove  to  Cambridge,  sold  his  place  and  prac- 
tice to  Dr.  John  Hart,  of  South  Reading,  for  the  occupancy  of  his  son, 
and  pledged  himself  in  the  sum  of  two  hundred  dollars  not  to  practise 
within  ten  miles  of  Reading ;  but  on  the  eve  of  his  departure  from 
Reading,  some  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  South  Reading,  headed  by 
the  late  Burrage  Yale,  unwilling  to  have  so  excellent  a  physician  leave 
their  neighborhood,  prevailed  upon  him  to  remove  to  South  Reading, 
and  sacrifice  his  bonds,  offering  him,  as  a  special  inducement,  the  large 
tract  of  land  on  a  part  of  which  his  residence  was  built ;  the  estimated 
value  of  the  land,  at  that  time,  being  $1,500.  He  thereupon  removed 
to  South  Reading,  occupying  what  was  known  as  the  "  old  Prentiss 
House  "  while  his  own  residence  was  building,  which  was  subsequently 
that  of  his  son,  and  is  now  occupied  by  his  grandson. 

Perhaps  some  of  the  present  inhabitants  of  Wakefield  remember  the 
occasion  of  the  "raising"  of  the  frame-work  of  the  Doctor's  house. 
It  was  a  general  holiday  for  the  town  ;  every  man,  woman,  and  child 
participated,  and  gave  a  helping  hand.  Cider,  lemonade,  "  Medford," 


660  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

crackers,  cheese,  and  salt-fish,  all  played  prominent  parts  on  that  occa- 
sion. The  Doctor's  hospitality  was  the  theme  of  conversation  for  a 
long  time.  It  was  considered  the  most  extravagant  "  raising  "  that 
ever  took  place.  This  was  in  1822. 

In  the  mean  time  (Sept.  4,  1821)  he  had  taken  for  his  second  wife, 
Betsey  Alden,  of  Saugus,  with  whom  he  had  seven  children,  three  of 
whom  are  now  living.  Nathan  went  to  Europe  and  studied  music,  be- 
came quite  celebrated  as  the  author  of  "  Richardson's  New  Method  for 
the  Piano-Forte,"  and  died  in  Paris  in  1858.  Of  the  six  children  of  the 
first  wife,  three  are  living,  and  reside  in  Wakefield. 

Dr.  Richardson  became  identified  with  South  Reading,  and  during 
the  remainder  of  his  life  was  one  of  its  most  active  citizens.  He  was 
foremost  in  every  project  for  the  improvement  and  welfare  of  the  town  ; 
would  subscribe  liberally  to  everything  he  was  asked  to,  —  moral,  intel- 
lectual, and  political.  Poverty  and  misfortune  won  his  immediate 
friendship :  he  would  empty  his  pockets  to  any  person  who  touched 
his  sympathies.  Although  in  receipt  of  a  munificent  income,  he  was  so 
indifferent  to  the  value  of  money  that  he  would  never  present  a  bill  for 
his  professional  services  ;  if  a  patient  paid  him,  it  was  simply  from  his 
own  choice.  His  ledger  was  a  curiosity  in  bookkeeping,  showing  noth- 
ing on  the  debit  side.  If  he  wanted  money,  he  never  hesitated  to  bor- 
row it,  and  frequently  of  those  who  were  indebted  to  him.  His  profes- 
sional fee  for  cases  where  a  popular  physician  of  the  present  day  would 
obtain  an  hundred  dollars  or  more,  would  be  a  sum  so  insignificant  as 
to  invariably  cause  a  smile.  Probably  no  physician  of  that  time  had 
so  large  a  practice,  among  all  classes,  as  Dr.  Nathan  Richardson. 
Although  not  connected  with  the  Massachusetts  Medical  Society,  he 
was  frequently  invited  to  consultations  with  its  members. 

As  a  physician,  particularly  in  pulmonary  complaints,  he  was  without 
a  rival.  A  word  of  hope  or  encouragement  from  him  gave  life  and 
renewed  vigor  to  the  despairing ;  and  his  diagnosis  of  disease  was  mar- 
vellously accurate.  He  would  frequently  be  affected  to  tears  when  he 
saw  there  was  no  relief  for  his  patient. 

The  magnitude  of  the  practice  of  Dr.  Richardson,  and  his  eminence 
as  a  physician,  will  be  better  appreciated  when  it  is  stated  that  it 
extended  throughout  the  New  England  States,  and  obliged  him  to  erect 
a  private  hospital  for  his  patients  at  his  own  home,  which  is  still  stand- 
ing, though  converted  to  other  uses.  It  is  stated  by  old  residents  that, 
during  his  practice-days  at  home,  the  carriages  of  patients  used  to  line^ 
both  sides  of  the  main  street  of  old  South  Reading,  near  his  residence. 

Dr.  Richardson's  second  wife  died  Dec.  5,  1832  ;  and  Nov.  24,  1834 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  66 1 

he  married  Mrs.  Grace  Barnard,  of  North  Reading,  who  survived  him 
thirty-five  years,  and  died  Nov.  26,  1872. 

Dr.  Richardson  died  very  suddenly,  of  apoplexy,  Sept.  17,  1837,  in 
the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  He  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Read- 
ing, by  the  side  of  his  two  wives.  A  monument  erected  to  his  memory 
by  his  son,  Dr.  S.  O.  Richardson,  marks  his  burial-place. 


HON.  JOHN   PRENTISS. 

Mr.  Prentiss  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Caleb  Prentiss,  and  his  youthful 
days  were  passed  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Wakefield,  to  which  cher- 
ished locality  he  frequently  returned  during  the  later  years  of  his 
extended  life,  with  an  interest  therein  which  ceased  only  with  his  life. 

His  entertaining  reminiscences  of  early  scenes  and  impressions  will 
be  found  elsewhere  in  this  history.  He  died  at  Keene,  N.  H.,  June  6, 


We  copy  the  following  extracts  from  the  "  New  Hampshire  Sentinel," 
of  June  12,  1873  :  — 

"  Hon.  John  Prentiss,  the  founder  of  this  paper,  and  for  forty-eight 
years  its  editor,  died  at  his  residence  in  Court  Street  on  Friday  after- 
noon, June  6,  at  the  age  of  ninety-five  years  and  three  months.  Up  to 
within  two  or  three  weeks  of  his  decease  he  had  enjoyed  excellent 
health,  and  though  weak  and  feeble,  was  able  to  walk  about  the  streets 
daily,  and  to  superintend  the  management  of  his  fine  homestead,  in 
addition  to  doing  considerable  work  in  his  garden.  The  immediate 
cause  of  his  last  sickness  it  is  perhaps  difficult  to  define  ;  it  seemed  to 
be  a  general  wearing  out  of  the  system.  During  the  last  two  weeks  of 
his  life  he  was  confined  to  his  room,  and  suffered  considerable  pain,  — 
more  than  he  had  experienced,  as  he  himself  declared,  during  his  pre- 
vious ninety-five  years  of  life.  His  mind  was  unclouded  to  the  very 
last,  and  he  conversed  upon  general  subjects  with  all  the  apparent 
interest  and  enthusiasm  that  ever  characterized  his  conversation,  giving 
minute  directions  in  regard  to  private  business  matters,  and  manifest- 
ing a  lively  interest  in  the  news  of  the  day  At  the  same  time  he  was 
conscious  of  the  fact  that  his  time  was  very  short,  and  talked  of  his 
fast  approaching  dissolution  with  perfect  freedom  and  astonishing  calm- 
ness, remarking  that  he  had  long  been  ready  to  go,  and  was  every  way 
prepared.  For  years,  in  fact  ever  since  he  retired  from  business  in 

*  See  Prentiss  Genealogy,  page  193. 


662  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

1847,  he  has  contributed  almost  weekly  to  the  editorial  columns  of  this 
paper,  the  last  of  which  contributions  appeared  in  our  last  issue  over 
his  well-known  signature  (1[),  and  which  was  simply  a  correction  of  an 
erroneous  idea  conveyed  in  a  somewhat  lengthy  religious  article  of  the 
preceding  week.  This  correction  was  written  on  Tuesday,  three  days 
previous  to  his  death,  in  a  clear  and  steady  hand,  and  was  probably  the 
last  paragraph  ever  penned  by  him.  From  that  time  he  continued  to 
grow  weaker,  and  on  Friday  afternoon  he  sank  into  an  easy  slumber, 
from  which  he  never  awoke. 

"  In  the  death  of  Mr  Prentiss,  Keene  loses  one  of  the  citizens  who 
connected  her  present  history  to  her  past,  and  whose  name  was  a  by- 
word for  merit  and  deserved  fame.  He  came  to  this  town  in  March, 
1799,  a*  the  age  of  twenty-one,  and  established  the  'Sentinel,'  under 
many  embarrassments,  and  with  a  list  of  subscribers  numbering  only 
seventy.  His  first  printing-office  (as  we  learn  from  the  'Prentiss 
Family  Genealogy ')  was  in  a  low  building  standing  where  S.  W.  Hale's 
house  now  stands,  and  for  some  time  afterwards  in  the  new  building 
south  of  Dr.  Edwards'  tavern.  Subsequently  (in  1825)  he  erected  a 
fine  block  on  the  west  side  of  the  square,  where  he,  in  connection  with 
his  son,  John  W.,  carried  on  the  printing,  publishing,  and  book  busi- 
ness up  to  1847,  when  he  retired.  In  1808  he  built  his  homestead  and 
planted  the  fine  elms  in  front,  and  has  since  enjoyed  under  their  shade 
a  sufficiency  of  this  world's  goods,  acquired  by  his  own  industry  and 
exertions.  During  his  half  century  of  active  business  life,  he  held 
various  offices  of  trust,  having  been  town  clerk,  town  treasurer,  repre- 
sentative in  the  legislature,  and  a  member  of  the  Senate.  He  was  also 
for  many  years  president  of  the  New  Hampshire  Historical  Society, 
and  during  his  whole  life  was  prominently  identified  with  religious  and 
educational  matters.  After  retiring  from  business  in  1847,  at  which 
time  he  was  one  of  the  oldest  editors  in  the  United  States,  he  presented 
to  each  of  the  fourteen  school  districts  of  this  town  a  set  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts School  Library  of  thirty-eight  volumes  ;  and  his  love  for  and 
interest  in  the  schools  never  abated.  In  1850  he  travelled  over  Great 
Britain  and  the  European  continent,  attending  the  peace  convention  at 
Frankfort- on-the-Main,  as  delegate  from  New  Hampshire.  His  inter- 
esting letters  from  abroad  were  published  in  the  '  Sentinel,'  attracting 
much  attention  and  interest.  For  sixty-seven  years  he  was  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  having  been  made  a  Master  Mason 
in  1806,  Royal  Arch  Mason  in  1813,  and  a  Knight  Templar  in  1867. 

"  The  influence  for  good  which  Mr.  Prentiss  exercised  upon  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  so  long  and  prominently  figured,  cannot  be  over 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  663 

estimated.  Strictly  temperate  in  all  things,  cheerful,  kind,  and  benevo- 
lent, with  a  disposition  to  encourage  and  aid  every  individual,  local, 
and  general  enterprise,  he  was  ever  a  leading  and  popular  citizen.  He 
was  the  fearless  champion  of  every  good  cause,  and  unqualifiedly 
denounced  wrong  and  oppression  wherever  they  existed.  He  was  firm 
and  outspoken  on  all  questions  of  public  policy,  and  at  the  same 
time  treated  with  deference  the  opinions  of  those  who  opposed  him. 

"  Mr.  Prentiss  survived  all  the  members  of  his  family  except  his 
daughters  Corinna  (wife  of  Judge  Hopkinson  of  Lowell,  deceased),  and 
Pamela  (wife  of  Judge  French  of  Concord,  Mass.).  His  son's  widow, 
Mrs.  John  W.  Prentiss,  has  had  the  superintendence  of  his  home  since 
the  death  of  her  husband  in  1863,  and  has  ministered  to  his  wants  and 
necessities  with  untiring  devotion.  He  was  surrounded  with  every 
comfort  which  wealth  and  filial  affection  could  bestow,  and  his  life 
closed  peacefully,  and  without  a  groan." 


HON.    THOMAS    EMERSON. 

Among  the  worthy  sons  of  Wakefield  who  have  recently  died,  none 
received  a  larger  measure  of  respect  than  the  honored  citizen  whose 
name  is  given  above.  Descended  from  a  Puritan  ancestry,  among 
whom  were  clergymen,  patriots  of  the  Revolution  and  of  former  wars, 
and  leading  men  of  this  and  other  towns,  he  illustrated  in  his  own  life 
and  character  the  principles  for  which  the  founders  of  New  England 
are  justly  famed.  He  was  born  Oct.  2,  1785,  and  died  Nov.  29,  1871, 
reaching  the  advanced  age  of  86  years. 

Obliged  from  very  early  years  to  work  at  the  bench  or  on  the  farm, 
and  enjoying  but  the  most  limited  means  for  gaining  knowledge,  he 
showed  the  native  force  of  his  mind  by  rising  above  all  the  difficulties 
of  his  lot,  and  taking  a  leading  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  town.  He 
was  advanced  to  almost  every  office  in  the  gift  of  his  fellow-townsmen, 
and  always  discharged  his  duties  with  exact  punctuality,  sound  wisdom, 
and  inflexible  integrity. 

He  was  chosen  to  represent  the  town  in  the  Legislature  eight  years, 
and  filled  the  office  of  Senator  two  years.  He  was  prominent  in  the 
formation  of  the  South  Reading  M.  &  A.  Institution  in  1833,  was 
made  its  first  vice-president,  and  for  many  years  was  its  president.  In 
1844,  at  the  organization  of  the  bank,  he  was  elected  its  president, 
which  position  he  held  until  his  death.  One  associated  with  him  for 


664  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

many  years,  once  said  of  him,  "  In  financial  matters  he  was  long  con- 
sidered an  oracle,  a  safe  counsellor  and  adviser." 

In  the  year  1810,  he  formed  a  partnership,  with  Ebenezer  Nelson, 
for  the  manufacture  of  shoes,  which  continued  with  a  fair  measure  of 
success,  till  Mr.  N.,  thinking  it  his  duty  to  become  a  preacher,  it  was 
amicably  dissolved.  Mr.  Emerson  took  the  business  and  increased  it 
from  year  to  year  till  it  more  than  equalled  that  of  all  the  other  manu- 
facturers in  town.  To  him  was  given  the  main  credit  of  inaugurating 
a  system  of  cash  payments  to  workmen,  in  place  of  barter,  as  was  the 
early  system.  By  the  frequent  introduction  of  improved  machinery 
and  methods,  he  was  able  to  furnish  profitable  occupation  to  large 
numbers  of  people. 

His  personal  traits  of  character  were  such  as  to  gain  for  him  the 
respect  and  affection  of  all  who  knew  him.  Affable,  sympathetic,  and 
kind  to  the  poor,  he  had  numerous  friends  in  all  ranks  of  society.  He 
was  a  liberal  contributor  to  many  philanthropic  and  missionary  enter- 
prises. He  was  youthful  in  his  feelings,  even  in  his  old  age,  and  many 
a  young  man  derived  from  him  not  only  the  help  of  kind  words,  but 
the  more  effective  assistance  of  generous  deeds.  He  retained  his 
energies  to  the  last  year  of  his  life,  and  with  a  clear  mind  and  an  elas- 
tic step  attended  to  his  daily  duties  at  the  bank.  He  was  a  trusted  and 
leading  member  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  fulfilled  his  duties 
in  that  relation  with  great  zeal  and  discretion.  An  extract  from  the 
records  of  that  body,  showing  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by  his 
Christian  brethren,  may  properly  be  inserted  here.  It  was  made  soon 
after  his  death,  and  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  Few  members  of  this  church  have  ever  filled  a  larger  measure  of 
usefulness.  Successful  in  business,  he  employed  his  wealth  for  pur- 
poses that  reflected  the  highest  honor  upon  his  judgment  and  his  heart. 
Honored  by  his  fellow-townsmen  with  official  position  and  duties,  he 
guarded  with  entire  faithfulness  every  public  interest.  Intrusted  dur- 
ing many  years  with  the  management  of  important  financial  matters,  he 
always  merited  and  received  the  most  thorough  confidence  of  all  men. 
As  a  member  of  this  church  he  was  faithful,  earnest,  liberal,  and  devout. 
Scrupulously  exact  in  the  discharge  of  every  duty,  strongly  attached  to 
the  house  of  God  and  to  its  worship,  a  constant  teacher  in  the  Sabbath 
school,  attentive  to  the  truth,  and  keenly  alive  to  those  portions  of  it 
which  relate  to  personal  piety,  he  was  a  Christian  whose  sincerity  was 
never  doubted,  and  whose  example  was  a  source  of  perpetual  instruction." 

Mr.  Emerson  was  married  in  early  life  to  Miss  Betsey  Hartshorn, 
who  survived  him  less  than  two  years,  departing  this  life  Sept. 
26,  1873. 


OF  THE   TOWtf  OF  READING.  66$ 

HON.    LILLEY    EATON. 

An  honorable  and  useful  life  is  a  precious  legacy.  Such  a  life  was 
that  of  Mr.  Eaton.  He  was  born  Jan.  13,  1802,  and  at  his  death  had 
completed  his  seventieth  year.  His  ancestors  were  among  the  early 
settlers  of  this  town,  and  during  successive  generations  were  distin- 
guished for  many  public  and  private  virtues.  In  early  manhood  Mr. 
Eaton  showed  a  remarkable  aptitude  for  public  business,  and  during  a 
long  series  of  years  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  his  capacity  and 
integrity  was  manifested  by  intrusting  to  him  almost  every  public 
office.  He  was  selectman  twenty-five  years,  and  a  member  of  the 
school  board  nearly  as  long,  and  generally  chairman  in  each.  He  was 
town  clerk  twenty  years,  representative  seven  years,  senator  two  years, 
justice  of  the  peace  thirty-eight  years,  and  a  member  of  the  Constitu- 
tional Convention  in  -1853.  He  is  said  to  have  shaped,  to  a  great 
extent,  the  policy  and  action  of  the  town  upon  almost  all  subjects, 
during  a  long  period  of  time.  The  practical  wisdom  which  he  brought 
to  the  solution  of  public  questions  gave  great  weight  to  his  counsels, 
and  often  an  opinion  from  him  was  sufficient  to  decide  any  matter. 
Thoroughly  conversant  with  the  laws,  in  their"  application  to  the  various 
interests  of  business  and  to  town  affairs,  and  also  with  the  opinions 
and  spirit  of  the  people,  he  was  able  to  suggest  the  best  measures  for 
their  consideration  and  decision.  There  was  nothing  dictatorial  in  his 
nature.  He  always  appealed  to  the  judgment  of  the  people,  and  advo- 
cated nothing  for  which  he  could  not  give  sound  reasons.  Progressive 
in  his  spirit,  he  was  a  friend  of  all  improvements.  He  introduced 
system  in  the  mode  of  conducting  town  business,  and  officers  of  other 
towns  adopted  some  of  the  features  which  he  devised.  He  was  deeply 
interested  in  the  schools,  and  it  was  mainly  to  his  suggestions,  ably 
seconded  and  carried  out  by  his  associates,  that  the  town  is  indebted 
for  the  admirable  system  upon  which  its  schools  have  for  many  years 
been  conducted. 

His  well-known  integrity  and  ability  gave  him  great  influence  in 
private  affairs.  Those  who  were  in  trouble,  the  poor  and  the  destitute, 
found  in  him  a  safe  counsellor  and  fiiend.  The  settlement  of  estates, 
the  investment  of  money,  and  the  temporary  control  of  funds,  were 
often  intrusted  to  him,  and  never  did  any  one  have  reason  to  say  that 
he  ever  failed  to  manage  the  business  committed  to  him  in  the  most 
upright  and  honorable  manner.  He  had  much  to  do  with  financial 
affairs.  In  conjunction  with  Mr.  Thomas  Emerson,  he  was  mainly 
84 


instrumental  in  establishing  the  Mechanic  and  Agricultural  Institution. 
He  was  its  first,  and  till  his  death,  only  treasurer.  At  the  formation  of 
the  South  Reading  Bank  he  was  elected  cashier,  and  held  the  position 
till  he  died.  In  these  stations  he  was  methodical,  careful,  and  accurate, 
and  in  all  respects  worthy  of  the  confidence  which  was  abundantly 
reposed  in  him. 

Mr.  Eaton,  although  enjoying  but  few  advantages  not  possessed  by 
others,  found  time  to  cultivate  a  literary  taste,  and  various  addresses, 
showing  both  research  and  ability,  were  delivered  by  him.  With  those 
public  addresses  our  citizens  are  quite  familiar,  and  we  here  insert  an 
extract  from  a  private  letter,  addressed  to  his  eldest  sister,  on  the 
reception  of  the  news  of  the  death  of  an  only  and  cherished  son,  for 
the  purpose  of  rendering  this  description  of  his  style  more  complete :  — 

"  Your  letter  of  the  23d  instant,  with  its  ominous  seal,  —  sad  token 
of  its  grievous  contents,  —  has  come  to  hand;  its  tidings  have  cast  a 
gloom  over  our  family  circle,  for  we  all  loved  the  little,  amiable  Row- 
land. Not  ten  minutes,  perhaps,  before  the  reception  of  your  letter,  I 
was  thinking  of  our  friends  at  Worcester,  that  it  was  long  since  we  had 
heard  from  them,  and  that  I  would  write  immediately. 

"  While  musing  on  my  friends  away,  — 

The  loved  ones  of  the  earth,  — 
And  fancying  how  their  lot  might  be, 

In  sorrow  or  in  mirth, 
I  seemed  to  hear  a  mournful  tone 

Come  sighing  on  the  breeze, 
The  wind,  it  had  a  startling  moan, 

While  whistling  through  the  trees ; 
I  hark'd  —  and  on  the  air's  vibration, 

I  caught  the  sounds  of  woe, 
They  told  of  grief  and  lamentation, 

Of  death,  that  cruel  foe. 
Again  I  lent  my  anxious  ear, 

To  catch  distincter  tones, 
A  father's  sounding  sigh  I  hear, 

A  mother's  sobbing  moans ; 
The  whispering  winds'  peculiar  strain, 

-So  fearful  in  their  lay, 
Remind  me,  in  a  language  plain, 

Of  relatives  away. 

"  'T  was  so  ;  for  on  the  next  sad  blast 

That  came  with  solemn  roar, 
Was  heard  the  voice,  — '  He  's  breathed  his  last, 
Our  Rowland  is  no  more  ; 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  667 

The  little,  lovely,  prattling  boy, 

So  patient  and  so  bright, 
His  father's  and  his  mother's  joy, 

No  more  shall  greet  our  sight* 

"  Again  I  hark'd  ;  and  from  the  air, 

The  heavenly  arch  midway, 
A  song  celestial  struck  my  ear, 

And  thus  it  seem'd  to  say : 
'  Rise,  spirits,  rise  !  our  upward  way 

With  swifter  wing  pursue, 
We  '11  'scort  to  realms  of  endless  day, 

Where  bliss  is  ever  new, 
This  little  seraph,  snatched  from  earth, 

From  sorrow  and  from  pain, 
To  dwell  with  those  of  heavenly  birth, 

And  with  his  Saviour  reign.' " 

March,  1840. 

Mr.  Eaton  was  much  given  to  antiquarian  studies,  and  this  history 
gives  abundant  evidence  of  his  patience  in  tracing  the  genealogy  of 
families,  and  in  exploring  ancient  records  for  important  facts  and 
instructive  events.  He  possessed  skill  in  delineating  character,  was 
fond  of  humor,  and  had  a  fund  of  anecdotes  drawn  chiefly  from  char- 
acters of  early  New  England  history,  which  made  both  his  written 
productions  and  his  conversation  interesting. 

The  personal  traits  exhibited  by  Mr.  Eaton  were  very  attractive.  A 
perpetual  urbanity  disarmed  opposition  to  the  plans  he  might  be  at  any 
time  urging.  He  had  the  faculty  of  imparting  his  views,  not  so  much 
by  direct  iteration  as  by  quiet  suggestion.  He  rarely  expressed  half- 
formed  opinions,  but  when  a  controverted  subject  was  presented,  gave 
himself  time  for  reflection,  and  then  expressed  his  opinion  and  the 
reasons  for  it  so  courteously  that  those  who  could  not  agree  with  him 
were  never  offended  with  him.  This  urbanity  was  not  a  skilfully  woven 
garment  to  cover,  and  enable  him  to  prosecute,  selfish  designs,  but  it 
was  the  natural  expression  of  his  character ;  his  heart  was  kind  and 
gentle,  and  his  manners  were  but  the  language  in  which  it  uttered  its 
real  feelings.  Though  Mr.  Eaton  never  connected  himself  with  any 
church,  he  was  a  constant  attendant  upon  public  worship,  and  accepted 
the  truths  of  the  Gospel  in  their  more  direct  and  personal  meaning. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Eaton  occurred  but  two  months  after  that  of  Mr. 
Emerson,  with  whom  he  had  been  joined  in  many  relations  of  business 
and  friendship  for  fifty  years.  On  the  Saturday  upon  which  he  was 
smitten  with  the  disease  which  terminated  his  life,  he  had  prepared,  at 


668  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

the  request  of  his  pastor,  a  brief  account  of  the  life  of  his  lamented 
friend,  Mr.  Emerson.  The  kind  and  truthful  words  with  which  that 
account  closed,  the  last  words  which  he  ever  penned,  as  they  described 
the  character  of  his  friend,  so  also  do  they  describe  his  own.  These 
are  the  words :  "  His  was  an  unblemished  reputation  for  honesty,  integ- 
rity, and  uprightness.  He  was  patriotic,  wise,  liberal,  kind,  peaceable." 


HON.   P.   H.   SWEETSER. 


Hon.  P.  H.  Sweetser,  the  eldest  son  of  Paul  and  Sarah  Sweetser,  was 
born  Sept.  23,  1807,  and  died  June  n,  1872.  During  his  boyhood,  like 
most  of  the  boys  of  South  Reading,  he  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade, 
at  which  he  worked  during  his  minority. 

At  about  the  time  that  he  attained  his  majority,  the  South  Reading 
Academy  was  opened,  and  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  enter  it.  He  was 
a  quick  scholar,  and  after  a  brief  term  at  the  academy,  he  taught  school 
in  one  of  the  districts  in  town,  with  marked  success.  From  this  time 
he  attended  the  academy,  teaching  school  winters,  till  he  had  taught 
in  nearly  every  district  in  town.  His  first  permanent  school  was  in 
Saugus,  where  he  taught  one  or  two  years,  leaving  there  to  take  an 
ushership  in  Boston.  While  teaching  in  Saugus,  he  married  Louisa 
Foster,  of  Danvers,  a  daughter  of  Capt.  Aaron  Foster. 

This  union  was  in  all  respects  fortunate  and  happy,  and  gave  him  a 
home  to  which  he  was  most  devotedly  attached.  Of  seven  children 
born  to  them,  one  died  in  infancy,  and  six  survive  him.  That  the 
education  of  his  children  was  not  neglected  will  appear  from  the  fact 
that  two  of  his  sons  are  now  successful  preachers,  one  preparing  for  the 
medical  profession,  and  the  daughters  had  the  best  opportunities  that 
could  be  obtained  by  public  or  private  instruction.  Often,  in  his  later 
years,  while  not  engaged  in  active  business,  he  spoke  of  his  strong 
desire  to  educate  his  children,  and  expressed  his  willingness  to  incur 
any  expense,  even  beyond  his  income  if  necessary,  to  promote  the  end 
he  had  so  much  at  heart. 

In  1838  he  was  appointed  master  of  the  Harvard  School  in  Charles- 
town,  where  he  remained  till  1847.  As  a  teacher,  he  was  uniformly 
successful,  and  took  a  deep  interest  in  education  generally.  A  good 
disciplinarian,  always  having  control  of  his  school,  he  was  on  good 
terms  with  his  pupils,  and  admitted  them  to  a  familiarity  which  ren- 
dered school  pleasant  and  school  exercises  interesting ;  this  familiar- 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  kEADING.  669 

ity,  and  a  playful  humor  in  which  he  indulged,  always  made  him  popular 
with  his  pupils.  He  was  prominent  in  the  enterprise  of  forming  the 
Massachusetts  Teachers'  Association,  and  establishing  the  "  Massa- 
chusetts Teacher  "  as  its  organ.  For  several  years  he  acted  as  one  of 
the  editors  of  this  journal,  and  the  numbers  prepared  by  him  were  uni- 
formly interesting  and  able. 

Nor  did  his  interest  in  popular  education  cease  when  he  was  no 
longer  a  teacher.  He  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  school 
committee  of  Wakefield,  and  many  of  the  annual  reports  for  the  last 
twenty  years  are  from  his  pen,  and  attest  his  interest  in  the  schools 
and  his  ability  as  a  writer. 

One  of  the  last  articles  that  he  wrote  was  the  school  report  for 
1871-2,  an  exceedingly  interesting  document;  and  I  remember  telling 
him,  after  reading  it,  that  I  thought  it  the  best  of  the  numerous  and 
excellent  reports  he  had  written.  From  an  early  period  he  had  been 
deeply  interested  in  the  antislavery  cause  and  the  temperance  move- 
ment, and  a  frequent  contributor  to  the  journals  in  the  interest  of  these 
and  other  reforms.  Nor  with  his  pen  alone.  Mr.  Sweetser  was  a  very 
ready  and  effective  speaker.  His  temperament,  always  impulsive,  im- 
parted an  earnestness  to  his  utterance  which  was  sure  to  secure  the 
attention,  and  his  habits  of  thought  and  feeling  prevented  him  from  ever 
becoming  wearisome.  During  the  time  of  the  Washingtonian  move- 
ment, although  engaged  through  the  day  in  teaching,  he  was  yet  one  of 
the  most  acceptable  and  efficient  lecturers,  and  labored  with  great  ear- 
nestness to  organize  and  direct  the  movement. 

Some  of  his  last  years  were  also  devoted,  to  a  considerable  extent, 
to  the  promotion  of  the  same  object,  and  many  of  the  ablest  articles 
in  the  "  Nation,"  a  temperance  paper  published  in  Boston,  were  from 
his  pen.  He  wrote  also  many  hymns  of  great  excellence,  for  general 
or  special  occasions,  not  a  few  of  which  have  taken  a  permanent  place 
in  our  sacred  poetry.  He  was  for  several  years  a  member  of  the  exam- 
ining committee  for  Tufts  College,  the  duties  of  which  he  performed 
with  fidelity  and  ability.  After  leaving  the  profession  of  teaching, 
Mr.  Sweetser  was  twice  elected  county  commissioner  for  the  County 
of  Middlesex,  which  office  he  held  for  six  years.  He  also  held  almost 
every  office  in  the  gift  of  the  town.  As  an  officer,  he  was  prompt  and 
efficient,  and  his  decisions  in  all  matters  in  controversy  were  ready, 
and  in  the  main  judicious.  He  was  a  man  of  remarkably  quick  per- 
ception, and  moved  forward  to  a  judgment  so  readily  as  not  unfre- 
quently  to  give  an  impression  of  haste,  and  to  render  him  impatient  of 
the  slower  movements  of  others.  He  was,  perhaps,  as  is  apt  to  be  the 


6/0  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

case  with  persons  of  a  nervous  temperament,  hasty  sometimes  in  his 
expressions,  but  seldom  so  in  his  actions ;  they  were  marked  by  a 
caution  and  careful  consideration  which  did  not  always  manifest  them- 
selves in  his  ordinary  conversation. 

Mr.  Sweetser  was  just  and  prompt  in  all  his  business  affairs,  and, 
whether  personal  or  official,  they  would  have  borne  the  most  thorough 
examination.  It  was  a  favorite  maxim  with  him  to  "  owe  no  man,"  and 
it  is  safe  to  say  that  no  one  ever  lost  a  cent  by  him  that  was  justly  his 
due. 

The  writer  of  this  brief  sketch  was  of  nearly  the  same  age  as  Mr. 
Sweetser,  was  a  boy  with  him,  being  a  near  neighbor,  labored  in  the 
same  profession  and  the  same  place  for  many  years,  and  was  brought 
into  still  nearer  relations  with  him  by  marriage ;  and  the  friendship 
that  began  almost  with  his  life  continued  to  its  end. 

It  would  seem  sometimes  that  what  would  apparently  fit  us  espe- 
cially for  the  performance  of  a  duty  is,  after  all,  almost  a  hinderance. 
I  confess  that  I  have  felt  this  in  what  I  have  written.  In  the  intimacy 
of  personal  intercourse  and  friendship,  we  often  fail  to  estimate  and 
weigh  character  as  we  do  when  the  object  is  at  a  greater  distance. 
What  is  seen  at  too  short  a  range  is  seen  only  in  its  parts,  and  a  longer 
perspective  is  necessary  to  view  the  object  as  a  whole.  Death  has  now 
given  us  such  a  view  of  our  friend,  and  I  am  sure  that  his  memory  will 
be  dearer,  and  his  character  will  appear  more  marked  and  estimable, 
as  we  look  at  him  from  a  point  more  favorable  to  observe  the  constant 
and  permanent  qualities  of  his  character.  For  some  years  previous  to 
his  death  he  had  not  enjoyed  perfect  health ;  and  to  one  of  his  intense 
activity  of  mind,  joined  with  a  temperament  not  too  hopeful,  it  is  not 
strange  that  he  should  have  been  sometimes  inclined  to  look  on  the 
dark  side  of  things.  But  his  sympathies  were  always  with  the  right, 
though  he  might  not  be  so  sanguine  of  its  speedy  success  as  some. 
Few  men  felt  an  intenser  interest  in  whatever  concerned  the  welfare  of 
humanity,  or  were  more  uniformly  on  the  side  of  progress  and  justice. 

He  had  a  strong  attachment  to  his  native  town,  and  was  always 
prominent  in  any  enterprise  for  its  improvement ;  especially  so  in  what- 
ever related  to  education,  the  public  library,  and  the  schools. 

In  his  death  his  family  has  lost  one  whose  life  was  bound  up  in  its  wel- 
fare, the  town  has  lost  a  good  citizen,  and  the  cause  of  education  one 
whose  experience  rendered  him  invaluable  as  a  member  of  the  school 
committee,  and  whose  vote  and  voice  were  always  given  for  whatever 
promised  to  extend  and  improve  the  means  of  education.  He  will  be 
remembered  with  gratitude  by  many  now  in  the  morning  of  life,  who 


Engraved  tram  a  Photograph  taken  in  1863 


sketc ' 


and  w; 
known 


by  his  : 
Applet" 


son. 
cially 


5,  he  was  espe- 


wn  P 


pro  • 

tir«t 

the  care  of 


,  from  ho; 
si   of  1 

; 


^>  ..c  was 


672  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

often  employed  in  the  preparation  of  medicines  for  his  father,  and  thus 
became  early  familiar  with  the  science  and  practice  of  pharmacy. 
Finding  this  pursuit  congenial  to  his  inclination  and  taste,  he  very 
readily  acquiesced  in  his  father's  wish  that  he  should  adopt  the  profes- 
sion of  medicine,  and  shortly  before  attaining  his  majority  he  entered 
the  medical  school  of  Dartmouth  College,  from  which  he  received  his 
medical  degree,  graduating  with  honors  Nov.  30,  1831,  and  immediately 
taking  up  practical  study  with  his  father. 

He  held  for  a  time  the  position  of  assistant  surgeon  at  the  State 
Prison,  and  became  a  member  of  the  Massachusetts  Medical  Society, 
from  which  he  afterwards  retired,  in  conformity  with  usage,  on  estab- 
lishing a  proprietary  medicine.  He  soon  entered  general  practice  with 
his  father,  an  arrangement  that  proved,  for  the  short  time  it  was  enjoyed, 
highly  satisfactory  and  successful  with  both.  Besides  that  at  home, 
offices  were  established  in  Lowell,  Salem,  and  Boston,  each  of  which 
places  Dr.  Richardson  visited  on  certain  days  of  the  week,  driving  to 
and  from  in  a  carriage,  an  amount  of  professional  riding  that  in  these 
days  would  be  considered  a  grievous  hardship. 

On  the  3d  day  of  April,  1837,  Dr.  Richardson  was  married  at  the 
"Old  parsonage"  (recently  removed  to  Salem  Street),  by  Rev.  Reuben 
Emerson,  to  Susan  Barnard  of  North  Reading.  Their  children  have 
been,  a  daughter  who  died  in  infancy,  at  Nahant,  during  a  summer's 
residence  of  the  family  there,  and  an  only  son,  S.  O.  Richardson,  Esq., 
of  Wakefield. 

During  the  studies  and  novitiate  of  Dr.  Richardson,  he  had  given 
much  attention  to  diseases  of  the  heart  and  lungs,  and  his  thesis  upon 
these  subjects  when  he  graduated  from  college  was  able,  and  received 
the  commendation  of  the  profession,  as  displaying  much  research  and 
original  thought.  In  his  treatment  of  these  diseases  he  was  eminently 
successful,  and  the  number  of  those  who  sought  his  advice  in  complaints 
of  this  character  induced  him  to  make  them  a  specialty,  and  to  aban- 
don general  practice. 

In  1808  his  father,  Dr.  Nathan  Richardson,  had  introduced  into  his 
practice  a  remedy  which  he  called  "  Sherry  Wine  Bitters,"  which  proved 
an  effective  agent,  the  favorable  results  of  which,  as  ascertained  from  a 
prolonged  and  extensive  use  thereof  among  his  patients,  gave  it  hig 
repute,  the  demand  becoming  such  that  instead  of  supplying  it  in  pow- 
dered form,  as  for  many  years  he  had  prescribed  it,  for  convenience' 
sake  he  prepared  it  in  common  quart  wine  bottles.  Soon  after  engaging 
in  practice  with  his  father,  Dr.  Richardson  observed  with  satisfaction 
the  beneficial  effects  of  these  "  Bitters,"  and  naturally  made  extensive 
use  of  them  in  cases  to  which  they  were  adapted. 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  673 

In  the  September  following  his  marriage,  his  father  suddenly  died, 
his  extensive  practice  and  business  thus  devolving  upon  him.  To  this 
he  gave  his  best  energies,  but  it  soon  became  evident  that  his  health, 
which  was  never  very  robust,  could  not  long  withstand  the  stress  of  the 
duties  he  had  assumed.  Reluctant  as  he  was  to  abandon  thus  early  in 
life  a  profession  which  was  endeared  to  him  by  many  pleasant  associa- 
tions, in  which  he  was  gaining  note,  and  which  was  in  every  particular 
congenial  to  his  taste  and  aspirations,  his  perceptions  indicated  clearly 
to  him  an  early  grave  or  an  abandonment  of  his  pursuit. 

Deciding  in  favor  of  the  chance  of  prolonged  life,  he  resolutely 
decided  to  abandon  practice,  and  from  this  period  he  confined  himself 
to  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  the  "  Sherry  Wine  Bitters,"  which  had 
for  so  long  a  period  been  satisfactorily  employed  in  his  father's  and  his 
own  practice. 

At  this  time  proprietary  medicine  was  a  branch  of  trade  unknown  in 
the  New  England  States,  and  there  had  never  been  introduced  for  sale 
in  the  country  such  a  compound  as  medicated  bitters,  the  idea  of  pre- 
paring medicine  in  that  form  originating  therefore  with  Dr.  Richardson. 
The  labor  and  expense  of  preparing  and  introducing  this  medicine  in 
proper  and  convenient  form,  cannot  be  imagined  by  any  inexperienced 
in  its  details  :  first,  the  common  wine  bottles  were  ill-shaped  for  pack- 
ing and  were  too  heavy ;  a  new  form  was  designed,  and  moulds  pre- 
pared, but  the  manufacture  of  suitable  bottles  had  not  been  accom- 
plished in  this  Commonwealth,  and  the  many  experiments  and  failures 
of  the  manufacturers  to  produce  a  light  bottle  that  would  withstand 
pressure  and  secure  safe  transportation  were  vexatious,  expensive,  and 
discouraging.  Nearly  every  sale  in  the  early  period  of  using  new 
bottles  was  attended  with  more  or  less  breakage  in  every  package,  but 
this  difficulty  was  finally  overcome  by  manufacturers  in  Philadelphia. 
Numerous  obstacles  also  were  presented  in  originating  and  preparing 
various  plates  for  printing  and  in  creating  the  embellishments  requisite 
for  perfect  arrangements.  The  express  business  had  not  then  been 
established,  railroads  were  almost  unknown,  and  private  means  of 
transportation  for  orders,  throughout  the  country,  had  to  be  created. 
To  accomplish  this  Dr.  Richardson  was  obliged  to  provide  several  ex- 
pensive teams,  which  were  constantly  employed  in  transporting  his 
medicine  to  different  parts  of  the  New  England  States.  Nor  did  he 
fail  to  make  his  medicine  known  by  liberal  advertising,  and  very  soon 
after  its  introduction  to  the  public,  its  merits  were  universally  appreci- 
ated and  the  demand  increased  beyond  even  the  most  sanguine  antici- 
pations. To  meet  the  requirements  of  this  wide  and  unexpected 
85 


674  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

demand,  a  large  capital  was  needed,  a  laboratory  had  to  be  erected,  a 
large  number  of  horses  and  carriages  supplied  for  transportation,  and 
every  facility  for  manufacture  established,  notwithstanding  the  employ- 
ment of  which  at  certain  seasons  the  demand  was  such  as  to  render 
prompt  supply  of  orders  impossible. 

Dr.  Richardson's  success  being  now  fully  established,  he  was  enabled 
to  indulge  liberally  in  expenditures  which  it  was  his  ambition  to  enjoy. 
He  never  entertained  a  desire  to  acquire  wealth  except  to  promote  the 
comfort  and  welfare  of  his  family  and  the  community  in  which  he 
lived.  He  had  been  a  close  observer  of  the  evils  attending  the  acqui- 
sition of  extreme  wealth,  and  was  convinced  that  unhappiness  was  the 
too  frequent  associate  thereof.  It  was  an  early  resolve  with  him  that 
after  gaining  a  competency,  any  overplus  should  be  devoted  to  such 
charitable  and  benevolent  purposes  as  comported  with  his  judgment 
and  pleasure ;  and  in  after  life  he  adhered  to  this  resolve,  in  most  cases 
desiring  and  enjoining  that  his  benefactions  should  not  be  made  public. 
He  was  always  needlessly  prodigal  in  all  expenditures  connected  with 
his  business,  in  which  every  department  evinced  the  most  thorough 
organization.  The  horses  used  for  His  medicine  wagons  were  selected 
without  regard  to  expense,  and  his  wagons  were  elaborately  constructed 
and  highly  finished  by  the  best  makers.  He  always  kept  in  his  stables 
for  his  personal  use  five  or  six  of  the  best  horses  that  could  be  pro- 
cured, possessing  great  love  for  and  fine  taste  and  judgment  in  horses, 
in  the  ownership  of  which  he  for  many  years  aspired  to  excel. 

His  benevolence  and  liberality  extended  to  every  commendable 
object  brought  to  his  notice.  Becoming  interested  in  the  mainte- 
nance of  the  citizen-soldiery  of  the  Commonwealth,  he  favored  the 
creation  of  a  local  military  company ;  and  on  the  formation  of  the  or- 
ganization in  this  town,  in  1851,  of  the  Richardson  Light  Guards,  on 
the  intimation  of  the  founders  of  the  company  that  it  was  their  wish 
that  it  should  be  so  designated,  Dr.  Richardson,  in  accepting  the  honor, 
testified  his  appreciation  thereof  by  a  most  generous  gift,  which  he 
yearly  supplemented  with  others  of  kindred  nature,  manifesting  at  all 
times  the  most  lively  interest  in  whatever  pertained  to  the  welfare  of 
the  Guards,  and  having  unceasingly  at  heart,  as  one  of  his  dearest 
objects,  their  highest  prosperity  and  success.  For  years  the  expenses 
of  parades,  target  practice,  etc.,  was  borne  by  him,  —  furnishing  music, 
and  often  a  bountiful  collation  on  his  premises,  and  aiding  them  by 
means  and  influence  in  any  measures  for  their  advantage.  This  cher- 
ished interest  never  abated  anything  of  its  zeal,  and  to  his  last  hour 
was  continued  in  all  its  original  strength  and  vigor ;  and  he  remained 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  6/5 

to  the  end  of  life  what  he  became  at  its  birth,  its  faithful  and  beneficent 
foster-father  and  friend. 

To  Dr.  Richardson  also  belongs  the  honor  of  having  been  the  origi- 
nal mover  in  the  publication  of  the  town  history. 

In  1852  Dr.  Richardson  was  elected  Town  Treasurer,  though  not 
desiring  the  office,  which  he  retained  but  one  year,  discharging  its 
duties  and  trusts  to  universal  satisfaction.  He  became  engaged  some 
years  since  with  a  half-brother,  Mr.  Nathan  Richardson,  in  the  music 
business,  but  abandoned  the  business  after  a  brief  time.  In  1869  he 
suffered,  while  attending  to  business  in  Boston,  an  attack  Of  paralysis, 
the  results  of  which  seriously  impaired  his  health  and  activity,  though 
by  the  exercise  of  the  most  rigid  care  of  himself  he  was  enabled  to 
maintain  a  degree  of  comfort  and  ability.  Even  when  in  enfeebled 
health  his  concern  for  the  prosperity  and  progress  of  our  town  con- 
tinued active,  and  within  the  last  few  months  of  his  life  he  inaugurated 
and  carried  to  most  successful  culmination  an  enterprise  of  enduring 
value  and  benefit  to  all.  Believing  alike  in  the  refining  and  educating 
influence  of  art,  and  the  helpfulness  of  beneficial  surroundings,  and  that 
his  town  ought  to  preserve  in  secure  form  for  the  benefit  of  our  posterity 
the  features  of  her  greatest  benefactor,  and  that  the  influence  of  the 
faces  of  men  who  had  benefited  mankind  is  advantageous  and  encour- 
aging, he  set  on  foot  a  movement  for  the  purchase  and  presentation  to 
the  town  of  the  valuable  portraits  of  George  Washington  and  Cyrus 
Wakefield,  which  now  adorn  the  walls  of  our  town  hall,  and  became 
himself  responsible  for  the  greater  part  of  the  attendant  expense,  there- 
by leaving  with  us  another  monument  to  his  philanthropy  and  gen- 
erosity. 

While  making  a  social  call  at  the  residence  of  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Esq., 
on  Sunday  evening,  Aug.  31,  1873,  Dr.  Richardson  was  seized  with 
apoplexy,  and  lived  but  a  few  hours.  His  death  occasioned  universal 
sorrow. 

Said  the  "Wakefield  Citizen,"  in  its  issue  following  his  death :  — 

"  Having  lived  for  more  than  forty  years  in  this  community,  his  name 
intimately  associated  with  not  a  few  of  its  prominent  institutions,  his 
home  ever  renowned  for  its  hospitality  and  his  hand  for  its  generosity, 
Dr.  Richardson  had  become  so  much  a  part  of  the  town  and  its  history, 
that  his  loss  becomes  a  public  sorrow  ;  and  though  illness  and  age  had 
in  late  years  impaired  his  vigor,  and  prevented  his  active  participation 
in  the  affairs  of  the  day,  his  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  various  local 
organizations  whose  well-being  he  had  long  made  his  care,  and  his 
wide-reaching  liberality,  continued  unabated. 


676  GENEALOGICAL    HISTORY 

"  The  frosts  of  age  had  no  power  to  chill,  or  the  infirmities  of  body 
disposition  to  weaken  the  characteristic  kindness  and  benevolence  of 
the  man,  and  to  the  latest  hours  of  his  life  he  continued  to  place  both 
institutions  and  community  under  frequently  renewed  obligations. 

"  Quietly  and  peacefully  his  life  was  spent,  unostentatiously  the  wide 
bestowal  of  his  bounty  was  accomplished,  and  his  every  undertaking 
was  characterized  by  rare  good  taste  and  completeness  of  execution. 
Success  in  his  efforts  seemed  with  him  a  duty,  and  nothing  he  attempted 
was  ever  done  slightingly. 

"  His  fondness  'for  home,  friends,  children,  music,  and  animals  was 
strongly  noticeable,  and  the  open  hospitality  and  abounding  good 
cheer  of  his  home,  his  wide  circle  of  affectionate  friends,  the  happy 
relations  that  plainly  existed  between  himself  and  the  little  ones  he 
was  wont  to  meet  on  our  streets,  his  hearty  delight  in  and  liberal  pat- 
ronage of  good  music,  and  the  keen  satisfaction  he  had  in  the  fine 
points  and  qualities  of,  and  the  real  love  he  had  for  his  horses,  thor- 
oughly attested  the  genuineness  of  his  enjoyment  therein. 

"  A  public-spirited  citizen,  a  good  neighbor,  the  kindest  and  most  in- 
dulgent of  husbands  and  fathers,  a  true  friend,  his  regard  for  the  inter- 
ests of  the  friends  and  objects  he  held  dear  was  most  deep  and  sensi- 
tive, and  the  last  hours  of  his  life  were  marked  by  characteristic  efforts 
at  lessening  the  annoyances  and  increasing  the  happiness  of  others. 
Possessed  of  ample  fortune,  his  hand  stayed  not  at  giving ;  prompted 
by  the  warmth  of  his  heart,  his  energies  were  directed  in  the  gratifica- 
tion of  those  about  him  ;  and  his  name  *and  memory  are  deservedly 
dear  in  the  hearts  of  the  community  in  which  the  greater  part  of  his 
life  was  spent.  His  end  was  like  his  life,  peaceful  and  composed,  and 
he  has  entered  into  rest." 

He  was  followed  to  his  grave  by  a  large  and  mourning  company,  — 
the  Richardson  Light  Guard,  whose  benefactor  he  had  so  long  been, 
returning  from  camp  at  Framingham  to  perform  escort  duty  for  the 
remains  of  their  honored  and  beloved  friend.  His  remains  were  laid 
to  rest  in  Mount  Auburn  Cemetery. 

Dr.  Richardson  was  through  life  a  member  and  liberal  supporter  of 
the  Universalist  society  of  his  town,  and  was  always  ready  to  cheer- 
fully assist  in  every  good  word  and  work.  Though  the  evening  of  his 
days  was  clouded  by  infirmity,  the  current  of  his  life  was  peaceful  and 
serene,  and  it  is  unfailing  pleasure  to  remember  him  as  when,  in  the 
days  of  his  full  health  and  vigor,  he  adorned  society  and  upheld  his 
work  among  men. 


CYT 

on  th< 


Eng] 

easy  < 

New  Knglam', 

but  with  his  books 

. 


with  g 


one  time, 

buiir  -t  of  \vh' 

blar 

- 


At  a 


6/8 


GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 


done  in  the  great  cities.  His  father's  farm  would  seem  now  too  small 
for  his  growing  ambition.  The  successes  of  his  friends  kindled  in  his 
own  bosom  a  generous  emulation.  He  too  would  try  his  fortune  in  the 
great  world  outside. 

At  last,  after  much  urging,  his  father  consented,  and  Cyrus  went  to 
Peterboro',  N-  H.,  to  enter  a  cotton  mill  as  a  picker-boy.  This  was  a 
most  excellent  position  to  dissipate  the  rosy  hues  which  had  gathered 
about  his  ideal  world,  and  to  discover  to  him  the  cold,  stern  reality. 

Only  a  short  time  elapsed,  and  he  was  back  at  the  old  homestead, 
still  determined  to  realize  his  fondest  hopes  of  one  day  becoming  a 
merchant.  He  had  heard  of  the  fame  of  Mr.  Appleton,  of  Dublin, 
who  had  emerged  from  obscurity  like  his  own,  but  who  was  then  widely 
known  as  a  successful  and  an  honorable  merchant.  What  others  had 
done  he  could  do,  and  he  incessantly  urged  his  views  upon  his  father, 
who  as  constantly  presented  the  other  and  darker  side,  showing  how 
many  who  went  to  the  city  lost  health,  time,  and  even  character,  in 
their  pursuit  of  wealth,  and  were  ultimately  obliged  to  return  in  dis- 
grace to  their  native  towns.  His  father  at  length  sent  him  to  live  with 
a  clergyman  in  a  neighboring  village,  who,  in  return  for  his  taking  care 
of  his  horse  and  cow,  should  give  him  suitable  books  to  read,  and,  if 
possible,  lead  his  mind  into  theological  studies.  This  good  man,  how- 
ever, was  not  apt  to  teach.  On  the  first  day  he  put  him  down  before  a 
large  book  containing  the  history  of  the  controversy  between  Calvin  and 
Arminius.  The  book  was  dry  and  uninteresting.  After  a  trial  of 
several  days  the  boy  gave  up  in  despair,  convinced  that  if  Calvin  and 
Arminius  could  not  settle  the  theological  matters  in  dispute,  he  cer- 
tainly could  not  hope  to  do  it.  He  returned  again  to  his  father's  house, 
more  resolutely  determined  than  ever  to  go  to  Boston  and  try  his  luck 
in  the  great  world  of  trade. 

After  a  few  more  futile  attempts  to  find  congenial  employment  for 
him  near  home,  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  with  his  parents'  consent, 
he  came  to  Boston,  declaring  that  he  would  achieve  success,  and  make 
a  name  of  which  his  friends  would  be  proud. 

Arriving  in  Boston,  he  at  first  entered  the  retail  grocery  store  of 
Messrs.  Wheeler  &  Bassett,  on  Washington  Street,  but  soon  after 
secured  a  clerkship  with  Messrs.  Stearns,  Cobb  &  Winslow,  on  India 
Street.  While  in  their  employ,  he  conceived  the  plan  of  doing  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account,  since  he  had  some  time  at  his  command  not 
required  by  his  employers.  His  aim  was,  to  secure,  if  possible,  a  suf- 
ficient sum  of  money  to  allow  him  to  pursue  his  studies  in  some  estab- 
lished school,  for  he  felt  the  need  of  a  better  education. 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING.  679 

His  employers  gave  him  the  liberty  to  buy  and  sell  empty  barrels 
and  casks.  They  also  assisted  him  in  other  ways,  in  small  business 
transactions. 

At  length  he  had  saved  one  thousand  dollars  in  hard  cash.  But  with 
the  thousand  dollars  came  a  still  stronger  desire  for  money.  He  saw 
the  path  to  wealth  opening  before  him,  and  instead  of  pursuing  a  course 
of  study  at  some  college,  he  bent  his  energies  more  strongly  than  ever 
to  the  accumulation  of  property.  This  step  he  regretted  in  after  life, 
feeling  that  he  had  made  a  serious  mistake.  Yet  he  did  not  wholly 
lose  sight  of  his  original  purpose.  He  attended  evening  schools  both 
of  an  academic  and  mercantile  nature ;  he  visited  the  various  debating 
societies  and  churches ;  observed  carefully  the  habits  of  the  people ; 
listened,  so  far  as  his  time  would  allow,  to  the  various  courses  of  sci- 
entific lectures,  for  which  his  mind  had  a  keen  relish ;  and  thus  laid 
the  foundation  of  what  general  knowledge  he  possessed.  During  his 
business  engagement  with  Messrs.  Stearns,  Cobb  &  Winslow,  he 
made  shipments  to  Valparaiso  and  to  South  America,  with  indifferent 
success. 

In  1834  he  entered  the  grocery  business  under  the  firm  name  of 
Foster  &  Wakefield,  on  Commercial  Street,  opposite  Commercial 
Wharf.  In  1836  the  firm  was  dissolved,  and  Mr.  Wakefield  sent  to 
New  Hampshire  for  his  younger  brother,  Mr.  Enoch  H.  Wakefield,  with 
whom,  two  years  after,  he  formed  a  co-partnership  under  the  name  of 
Wakefield  &  Co.  This  firm  was  continued  until  1844.  During  the 
latter  part  of  this  co-partnership,  a  small  lot  of  rattan,  thrown  out  of  a 
ship  as  refuse  matter,  was  accidentally  purchased,  and  sold  at  a  profit 
to  a  few  chair-makers,  who,  working  the  raw  material  by  hand,  used 
the  outside  of  the  cane  in  seating  chairs.  This  favorable  purchase  led 
to  others,  until,  at  the  dissolution  of  the  firm,  Mr.  Wakefield  opened  an 
office  at  the  corner  of  Commercial  and  Cross  Streets,  where  he  carried 
on  a  jobbing  trade  in  rattans. 

The  demand  for  split  rattans  in  seating  chairs  now  increased.  The 
great  cost  of  preparing  the  rattan  in  this  country  without  the  aid  of 
machinery,  caused  Mr.  Wakefield  to  look  abroad  for  a  supply  ;  and  as 
he  had  a  brother-in-law  in  the  house  of  Messrs.  Russell  &  Co.,  Canton, 
China,  he  forwarded  to  him  samples  of  the  cane  most  in  demand.  In 
a  few  years  his  importations  of  Canton  Split  Rattan  were  known 
throughout  the  United  States.  But  upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  Opi- 
um War  between  the  Chinese  and  European  powers,  this  branch  of  the 
trade  received  a  sudden  check  and  was  for  a  time  suspended.  In  the 
mean  time  the  use  of  rattan  in  its  manufactured  form  had  greatly 


680  GENEALOGICAL   HISTORY 

increased,  and  Mr.  Wakefield,  in  the  year  1856,  resolved  to  begin  the 
manufacture  of  cane  in  this  country,  and  to  utilize,  so  far  as  possible, 
the  whole  of  the  material.  The  American  Rattan  Company  were  at 
this  time  the  only  party  cutting  cane  by  machinery,  and  they  used  the 
cane  only  for  seating  chairs.  The  remainder  of  the  rattan  was  wasted. 
But  Mr.  Wakefield  determined  to  make  the  whole  of  the  rattan  —  cane, 
pith,  and  shavings  —  valuable.  He  began  with  one  or  two  machines 
worked  by  hand  in  Boston.  A  fortunate  speculation  gave  him  both 
credit  and  capital,  so  that  he  could  enlarge  his  business.  Learning 
that  there  were  several  large  lots  of  rattan  in  the  New  York  market,  the 
article  at  this  time  being  much  depressed,  Mr.  Wakefield,  with  all  the 
ready  money  he  could  command,  went  to  that  city,  established  his  quar- 
ters quietly  at  the  Astor  House,  and  put  his  brokers  at  work  to  obtain 
the  lowest  price  at  which  the  entire  stock  could  be  purchased,  enjoining 
upon  them  not  to  name  the  purchaser.  Having  obtained  the  desired 
information,  he  decided  to  take  all  the  available  lots,  for  which  he  paid 
sufficient  cash  to  make  the  material  subject  to. his  order.  This  gave 
him  the  whole  control  of  the  rattan  stock  of  the  country.  Prices  soon 
advanced,  and  he  was  enabled  to  sell,  so  that  he  realized  a  handsome 
profit.  This  single  operation  not  only  put  money  and  credit  at  his 
disposal,  but  also  gave  him  a  prestige  in  the  business,  which  he  ever 
after  maintained.  Soon  after  this  he  removed  his  works  from  Boston 
to  South  Reading.  Water  power  took  the  place  of  hand  power,  and  as 
the  business  rapidly  increased,  steam  power  was  soon  added.  The 
mill  at  South  Reading  in  which  he  first  began,  soon  became  too  small 
for  him,  and  building  after  building  was  erected,  until  at  the  time  of 
his  death  his  manufactories  and  store-houses  covered  an  area  of  ten 
acres  of  flooring. 

Nor  was  this  wonderful  increase  in  his  business  the  only  remarkable 
feature.  There  was  a  corresponding  advance  in  utilizing  the  whole  of 
the  rattan,  so  that  nothing  was  lost.  From  a  comparatively  small  job- 
bing trade  in  an  article  at  that  time  of  little  value,  he  advanced  to  the 
manufacture  of  reeds  for  hoop  skirts,  then  to  cane  for  seating  chairs, 
then  to  the  manipulation  of  the  waste,  and  finally  to  the  use  of  all  the 
small  pieces,  and  even  shavings,  in  making  various  beautiful  and  use- 
ful articles.  His  original  idea  was  thus  realized,  and  probably  no  one 
ever  succeeded,  in  the  face  of  so  many  difficulties  and  with  such  a  stub- 
born material  as  rattan,  in  so  nearly  accomplishing  his  object. 

In  1865  Mr.  Wakefield  sent  his  nephew  and  namesake,  Mr.  Cyrus 
Wakefield,  2d,  to  Singapore,  since  which  time  they  have  imported 
nearly  the  whole  stock  of  rattan  for  the  country.  The  Indian  trade 


OF  THE   TOWN  OF  READING. 

also  included  the  importation  of  tin,  gambier,  pepper,  coffee,  spices, 
and  all  the  products  of  the  Straits  Settlement  and  Java.  This  depart- 
ment increased  in  importance  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

About  the  year  1851,  Mr.  Wakefield  made  his  first  purchase  of  real 
estate  in  South  Reading.  In  July  of  that  same  year  he  bought  the 
larger  part  of  the  land  comprising  his  homestead,  and  in  place  of  the 
mansion  house,  which  then  stood  upon  it,  he  built  in  1861  a  magnificent 
residence.  About  this  time  he  fully  realized  that  the  town  was  destined 
to  become  a  very  important  place.  And  now  he  seemed  never  to  have 
enjoyed  a  moment,  so  long  as  he  knew  that  there  was  a  piece  of  real 
estate  in  the  vicinity  of  his  house  or  factories  which  could  be  purchased. 
He  would  not  rest  till  he  had  a  deed  of  it  in  his  own  name  on  record. 
Many  of  these  purchases  were  of  low  swamps  and  meadows,  which  he 
cleared,  filled  up,  and  drained,  making  valuable  building  lots  of  what 
had  been  waste  land. 

While  in  the  spring  of  1867  the  citizens  of  South  Reading  were  con- 
sidering the  propriety  of  erecting  some  suitable  memorial  to  the  brave 
men  who  had  gone  from  their  number  to  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  and 
had  perished,  Mr.  Wakefield  came  forward  and  voluntarily  offered  to 
give  to  the  town  a  lot  of  land,  and  a  cash  contribution  of  $30,000  for  a 
new  Town  House,  in  which  provision  should  be  made  for  a  Soldiers' 
Memorial  Hall.  In  accepting  this  munificent  offer,  the  town  at  once 
decided  to  change  its  name,  and  on  the  zoth  day  of  January,  68, 
by  acclamation,  voted  that  it  should  henceforth  be  Wakefield.  On  the 
4th  of  July,  1868,  the  new  name  was  adopted  by  appropriate  and  inter- 
esting exercises. 

Mr.  Wakefield  more  than  fulfilled  his  promise  to  the  town.  He  more 
than  quadrupled  the  cost  of  the  edifice,  and  on  Feb.  22,  1871,  in  the 
presence  of  an  audience  completely  filling  the  new  and  beautiful  hall, 
he  surrendered  the  keys  of  the  building  to  the  proper  officers  of  the 
town.  But  this  act  alone  does  not  fully  reveal  his  great  interest  in  the 
town. 

In  order  that  people  might  be  induced  to  settle  in  Wakefield,  he 
was  active  in  the  organization  of  the  Real  Estate  and  Building  Associ- 
ation ;  at  first  assuming  nearly  the  whole  of  the  capital  stock,  besides 
turning  into  the  Association  a  large  tract  of  valuable  land,  then  unoc- 
cupied, but  which  has  since  been  built  upon.  He  also  had  a  strong 
desire  to  improve  the  opportunities  for  education,  and  favored  every 
project  for  better  school-houses  and  enlarged  facilities  for  instruction. 
His  mind  dwelt  so  much  upon  this  subject,  that  h€  was  not  only  eager 
86 


682  GENEALOGICAL  HISTORY 

to  assist  worthy  students  individually,  but  he  inaugurated  a  course  of 
free  lectures  on  scientific  subjects  for  the  masses. 

Although  Mr.  Wakefield  never  held  a  position  where  elevation  was 
due  to  political  influence,  yet  he  was  a  leader  in  all  local  enterprises 
and  improvements,  and  sometimes  led  the  way  where  few  were  ready  to 
follow. 

He  was  one  of  the  corporators  of  the  Savings  Bank,  director  in  the 
Citizens'  Gas  Light  Company,  president  and  largest  stockholder  in  the 
Ice  Company,  member  of  the  School  Board,  of  the  Agricultural  Asso- 
ciation, and  National  Bank  of  South  Reading. 

The  plan  of  furnishing  the  town  with  an  abundance  of  pure  water 
was  among  his  last  projects.  Indeed,  he  had  so  far  developed  it  as  to 
organize  the  Quannapowitt  Water  Co. 

His  whole  thought  was  thus  centred  upon  the  town  which  had  hon- 
ored him  by  assuming  his  name.  He  expected  to  live  to  see  it  famed  for 
its  institutions  of  education,  distinguished  by  its  beauty  of  landscape  and 
architecture,  an  honor  to  its  citizens,  an  enduring  monument  to  his 
name.  But  Mr.  -Wakefield's  plans  reached  beyond  his  adopted  town. 
It  is  interesting  to  trace  the  growth  of  his  conceptions  as  regards  the 
future  of  Boston,  the  city  in  which  he  had  labored  so  vigorously  and 
successfully.  In  1863  he  purchased  an  estate  in  Hanover  Street,  after- 
wards a  second  in  North  Street,  both  of  which  were  situated  between 
Cross  and  North  Centre  Streets.  Subsequently  he  bought  and  consoli- 
dated seven  estates  at  the  corner  of  Hanover  and  North  Centre  Streets, 
and  two  in  Cross  Street.  In  1864-5  he  became  the  owner  of  three 
estates  on  Canal  Street;  then  in  1868  of  the  Hall  Distillery  estate  in 
Prince  Street;  in  1868  of  the  tenement  houses  in  Friend  Street  Court, 
which  he  replaced  with  a  fine  brick  block  in  1870-1871.  These  large 
purchases  were  not  made  at  random.  He  believed  in  the  future  of 
Boston.  He  saw  that  Washington  Street  must  come  to  Haymarket 
Square,  and  to  the  accomplishment  of  this  object  he  bent  his  energies 
for  a  year.  Although  he  did  not  live  even  to  see  the  work  begun,  yet 
to  him  is  largely  due  the  credit  of  its  successful  completion.  In  1871, 
when  he  knew  that  Washington  Street  would  be  extended,  he  purchased 
the  Brattle  Square  Church,  the  Quincy  House,  and  adjoining  estate  on 
Hanover  Street.  In  1872  the  Studio  Building  was  purchased,  the  Cen- 
tral House,  and  an  estate  adjoining  in  Brattle  Square. 

In  June,  1873,  he  made  his  last  purchase  of  real  estate,  on  the  line 
of  the  Washington  Street  extension.  His  object  in  becoming  so  large 
a  real  estate  owner  was  to  improve  and  develop  the  northern  part  of 
Boston,  according  to  the  ideal  which  was  ever  before  his  mind.  In 


OF  THE    TOWN  OF  READING.  683 

addition  to  his  other  duties  he  was  a  director  in  the  Boston  and  Maine, 
Fitchburg,  Nashua,  Acton  and  Boston,  and  Middlesex  Horse  Railroads, 
in  the  first  two  of  which  he  was  the  largest  stockholder.  The  plans 
which  he  had  conceived,  but  was  prevented  by  death  from  fully  execut- 
ing, show  the  breadth  and  scope  of  his  mind.  He  had  projected  the 
levelling  of  Copp's  Hill  so  as  to  form  a  great  freight  depot  and  docks 
for  the  use  of  a  railroad  in  which  he  was  interested  ;  the  purchase  of 
the  Music  Hall  property ;  the  erection  of  a  noble  edifice  at  Harvard, 
in  which  there  should  be  rooms  for  the  "  Wakefield  Library,"  and  for 
other  educational  purposes ;  the  founding  of  a  college  at  Wakefield 
(the  plans  of  which  were  known  only  to  a  few  intimate  friends),  where 
the  children  of  the  poor  might  enjoy  the  benefits  of  superior  training. 
These  unfinished  schemes  reveal  the  intention  and  heart  of  Mr.  Wake- 
field  much  better  than  words  could  do. 

Mr.  Wakefield  was  married  on  the  thirty-first  day  of  October,  1841, 
to  Miss  Eliza  A.  Bancroft,  the  only  daughter  of  Captain  Henry  Ban- 
croft, who  survives  him. 

Mr.  Wakefield  was  a  man  of  iron  will  and  resolute  purpose,  com- 
bined with  great  physical  endurance.  Energy,  perseverance,  and  an 
indomitable  courage  in  the  face  of  almost  insuperable  obstacles,  were 
his  prominent  characteristics. 

He  had  a  keen  perception,  and  results  that  other  men  reached  by 
hard  thought  seemed  to  intuitively  come  to  him. 

He  knew  human  nature  thoroughly,  and  could  read  a  man  at  a 
glance.  To  those  who  knew  him  best  he  revealed  at  times  a  warm, 
genial,  and  tender  nature,  though  to  a  stranger  he  might  seem  distant. 
He  was  charitable,  giving  not  only  in  large  sums  to  public  enter- 
prises, but  cheering  the  hearts  of  the  poor  with  his  generous  gifts. 
Many  students  struggling  for  an  education  remember  with  gratitude 
his  timely  aid.  As  a  merchant,  he  was  shrewd,  industrious,  persistent, 
and  careful  in  the  details  of  his  business.  His  character  and  deeds 
are  thus  epitomized  in  the  resolutions  adopted  by  his  fellow-citizens 
on  trie  evening  after  his  death  :  "  The  valuable  citizen,  the  prosperous 
merchant,  the  progressive  leader  in  ornamental  and  architectural  im- 
provements, the  friend  and  helper  of  education,  the  chief  promoter  of 
our  local  industrial  pursuits,  our  munificent  namesake,  whose  numerous 
and  generous  benefactions  will  remain  his  enduring  memorials." 

Mr.  Wakefield  died  very  suddenly  on  Sabbath  morning,  Oct.  26, 
1873.  at  a  quarter  before  8  o'clock,  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  .years  and 
eight  months.  His  funeral  was  attended  at  his  late  residence  on  the 
following  Wednesday. 

"  The  silver  cord  is  loosed  and  the  golden  bowl  is  broken." 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX, 


A. 

INDIAN    DEED    OF    LYNN    AND    READING. 

"  To  all  Christian  People,  to  whom  this  present  Deed  of  Confirma- 
tion and  Alienation  shall  come,  David  Kunkshamooshaw,  who,  by 
credible  intelligence,  is  grandson  to  old  Sagamore  George-No-Nose,  so 
called,  alias  Wenepowweekin,  sometime  of  Rumney  Marsh,  and  some- 
times at  or  about  Chelmsford  of  ye  colony  of  y°  Massachyets,  so  called, 
sometimes  here  and  sometimes  there,  but  deceased,  y*  said  David, 
grandson  to  y"  said  old  Sagamore  George-No-Nose,  deceased,  and 
Abigail  Kunkshamooshaw,  y8  wife  of  David,  and  Cicely,  alias  Su- 
George,  ye  reputed  daughter  of  said  old  Sagamore  George,  and  James 
Quonopohit  of  Natick,  alias  Rumney  Marsh,  and  Mary  his  wife,  send 
greeting,  &c. :  — 

"  Know  ye,  that  the  said  David  Kunkshamooshaw,  and  Abigail  his 
wife,  and  Cicely,  alias  Su-George  aforesaid,  and  James  Quonopohit 
aforesaid,  with  Ms  wife  Mary,  who  are  the  nearest  of  kin  and  legal  suc- 
cessors of  ye  aforesaid  George-No-Nose,  alias  Wenepowweekin,  whom  wee 
affirme  was  the  true  and  sole  owner  of  ye  land,  that  the  towns  of  Lynn 
and  Reading  (aforesaid)  stand  upon,  and  notwithstanding  y"  possession 
of  y*  English  dwelling  in  those  townships  of  Lynn  and  Reading,  afore- 
said, wee,  y*  said  David  Kunkshamooshaw,  Cicely,  alias  Su-George, 
James  Quonopohit,  the  rest  aforesaid  Indians,  doe  lay  claim  to  the 
lands  that  these  two  towns  aforesaid,  Lynn  and  Reading,  stand  upon, 
and  the  dwellers  thereof  possess,  that  y*  right  and  title  thereto  is  ours, 
and  belong  to  us  and  ours ;  but,  howsoever,  the  townships  of  Lyn  and 
Reading,  having  been  long  possessed  by  the  English,  and  although  wee 
make  our  clayme,  and  y"  Selectmen  and  Trustees  of  both  towns  afore- 
said, pleading  title  by  graunts  of  Courts  and  purchase  of  old  of  our 
predecessor,  George  Sagamore,  and  such  like  matters,  &c.,  wee  the 
Claymers  aforesaid,  viz. :  David  Kunkshamooshaw  and  Abigail,  his 


688  APPENDIX. 

squaw,  Cicely,  alias  Su-George,  the  reputed  daughter  of  old  Sagamore 
George,  alias  Wenepowweekin,  and  James  Quonopohit  and  Mary  his 
wife,  all  and  every  of  us,  as  aforesaid,  and  jointly  together,  for  and  in 
consideration  of  ye  summe  of  sixteen  pounds  of  current  sterling  money  ' 
of  silver,  in  hand  paid  to  ye  Indians  clayming,  viz. :  David  Kunksha- 
mooshaw  &c.  at  or  before  the  ensealing  and  delivery  of  these  presents, 
by  Mr.  Ralph  King,  William  Bassett,  Senr.,  Matthew  Farrington,  Senr., 
John  Burrill,  Senr.,  Robert  Potter,  Senr.,  Samuel  Johnson,  and  Oliver 
Piirchas,  Selectmen  in  Lynn,  in'ye  County  of  Essex  in  New  England, 
trustees  and  Prudentials  for  and  in  behalf  of  ye  purchasers  and  now 
proprietors  of  ye  townships  of  Lynn  and  Reading,  well  and  truly  payd, 
the  receipt  whereof,  wee,  viz. :  David  Kunkshamooshaw,  Abigail  his 
wife,  Cicely,  alias  Su-George,  ye  reputed  daughter  of  old  Sagamore  George, 
and  James,  alias  Rumney  M^irsh,  and  Mary  his  wife,  doe  hereby  acknowl- 
edge themselves  to  be  fully  satisfied  and  contented,  and  thereof  and 
every  part  thereof,  doe  hereby  acquit,  exhonerate  and  discharge  y"  said 
Mr.  Ralph  King,  Wm.  Bassett,  Senr.,  with  all  and  every  of  ye  Select- 
men aforesaid,  trustees  and  prudentials,  together  with  the  purchasers  and 
now  proprietors  of  ye  said  townships  of  Lyn  and  of  Reading,  their  heirs, 
executors,  administrators  and  assigns,  forever,  by  these  presents  have 
granted,  bargained  a  full  and  a  firme  confirmation  and  ratification  of 
all  grants  of  Courts,  and  any  former  alienation  made  by  our  predeces- 
sor or  predecessors,  and  our  own  right,  title  and  interest,  clayme  and 
demand  whatsoever,  and  by  these  presents  doe  fully,  freely,  clearly 
and  absolutely  give  and  grant  a  full  and  firme  confirmation  of  all  grants 
of  Courts,  and  any  sort  of  alienation  made  by  our  predecessor  or  pred- 
ecessors, as  also  all  our  owne  clayme  of  right,  title,  interest  and 
demand,  unto  them  y6  said  Mr.  Ralph  King,  Wm.  Bassett  and  the  rest, 
Selectmen  aforenamed,  trustees  and  prudentials  for  ye  town  of  Lyn, — 
ye  worshipful  Mr.  John  Browne,  Capt.  Jeremiah  Sweyn  and  Lt.  Wm. 
Harsey,  trustees  and  prudentials  for  y6  towne  of  Reading,  to  their  heirs 
and  assigns  forever,  to  and  for  y6  sole  use,  benefit  and  behoof  of  ye 
purchasers  and  now  proprietors  of  ye  townships  of  Lynn  and  Reading 
aforesaid,  and  all  ye  said  townships  of  Lynn  and  Reading,  joyning  one 
to  another,  even  from  the  sea,  where  the  line  beginneth,  between  Lynn 
and  Marblehead  and  so  between  Lynn  and  Salem,  as  it  is  stated  by 
those  towns  and  marked,  and  so  to  Ipswich  river,  and  so  from  thence, 
as  it  is  stated  betwixt  Salem  and  Reading,  and  as  the  line  is  stated  and 
runne  betwixt  Will's  Hill,  and  as  is  stated  and  runne  betwixt  Reading 
and  Andover,  and  as  it  is  stated  betwixt  Oburne  and  Reading,  and  as 


APPENDIX.  689 

it  is  stated  and  runne  betwixt  Charlestowne,  Maiden,  Lynn  and  Read- 
ing, and  upon  the  sea,  from  ye  line  that  beginneth  at  Lynn  and  Marble- 
head  and  Salem,  to  divide  the  townes  aforesaid,  so  as  well  from  thence 
to  ye  two  Nahants,  viz. :  y*  little  Nahant  and  y*  great  Nahant,  as  ye  sea 
compasseth  it  almost  round,  and  so  to  the  river  called  Lynn  river,  or 
Rumney  Marsh  river  or  Creek,  unto  the  line  from  Bride's  Brook  to  the 
said  Creek,  answering  y"  line,  that  is  stated  between  Lynn  and  Boston, 
from  said  Bride's  Brook  up  to  Reading. — This  said  Tract  of  land,  de- 
scribed as  aforesaid,  together  with  all  houses,  edifices,  buildings,  lands, 
yards,  orchards,  gardens,  meadows,  marrishes,  feedings,  grounds,  rocks, 
stones,  beach  Flats,  pastures,  commons,  and  commons  of  pasture,  woods, 
underwoods,  swamps,  waters,  watercourses,  damms,  ponds,  fishings, 
flowings,  ways,  easements,  profits,  privileges,  rights,  commodities,  royal- 
ling,  hereditaments  and  appurtenances  whatsoever,  to  ye  said  townships 
of  Lynn  and  Reading,  and  other  the  premises  belonging  or  in  anywise 
appertaining,  or  by  them  now  used,  occupied  and  enjoyed  as  part, 
parcel  or  member  thereof;  and  also  all  rentes,  arrearages  of  rentes, 
quitrents,  rights  and  appurtenances  whatsoever,  nothing  excepted  or 
reserved ;  and  also  all  deeds,  writings  and  evidences  whatsoever, 
touching  ye  premises,  or  any  part  or  parcel  thereof. 

To  have  and  to  hold  all  ye  said  townships  of  Lynn  and  Reading,  as 
well  as  y'two  Nahants  aforesaid,  ye  little  and  ye  great  Nahant,  as  they 
are  encompassed  by  ye  sea,  with  their  beaches,  from  y'  great  Nahant  to 
ye  little,  and  from  ye  little  Nahant  homeward  where  Richard  Hood  now 
dwelleth,  and  so  to  Mr.  King's,  with  all  ye  above  granted  premises,  with 
their  and  every  of  their  rights,  members  and  appurtenances,  and  every  part 
and  parcel  thereof,  hereby  given,  granted,  confirmed,  ratified  unto  y*  said 
Mr.  Ralph  King,  Wm.  Bassett  and  the  rest,  Selectmen  in  behalf  of  Lynn, 
and  ye  worshipful  Mr.  John  Browne,  and  ye  rest  aforenamed  for  Reading, 
all  trustees  and  prudentials  for  the  townships  of  Lynn  and  Reading,  to 
them  and  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  to  and  for  y"  sole  use,  benefit 
and  behoof  of  y*  purchasers  and  now  proprietors  of  y"  said  townships 
of  Lynn  and  Reading  ;  and  they,  y'  said  David  Kunkshamooshaw  and 
Abigail  his  wife,  and  Cicely,  alias  Su-George,  y"  reputed  daughter  of 
George-No-Nose  deceased,  and  James  Quonopohit,  and  Mary  his  wife, 
Indians  aforesaid,  for  themselves,  their  heirs,  executors,  administrators 
and  assigns,  jointly,  severally  and  respectively,  doe  hereby  covenant, 
promise  and  grant  to  and  with  y'said  Mr.  King,  Wm.  Bassett,  Senr,  and 
ye  rest  of  Lynn  and  y8  worshipful  Mr.  John  Browne,  and  y'rest  of  Read- 
ing, trustees  and  prudentials  for  y"  towns  of  Lynn  and  Reading,  as 
aforesaid,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  and  to  y*  purchasers  and  now  pro- 
87 


APPENDIX. 

prietors  of  ye  said  townships  of  Lynn  and  Reading,  etc.,  in  manner  and 
forme  following  (that  is  to  say),  that  at  the  time  of  this  graunt,  confir- 
mation and  alienation,  and  until  the  ensealing  and  delivery  of  these 
presents,  their  ancestor  and  ancestors  and  they,  the  above-named  David 
and  Abigail  his  now  wife,  and  Cicely,  alias  Su-George,  and  the  rest  afore- 
named Indians,  were  ye  true,  sole  and  lawful  owners  of  all  y^afore- 
bargained,  confirmed  and  aliened  premises,  and  were  lawfully  seized  off, 
and  in  ye  same  and  every  part  thereof  in  their  own  propper  right,  and 
have  in  themselves  full  power,  good  right  and  lawful  authority  to  grant, 
alien,  confirm,  and  assure  ye  same  as  is  afore  described  in  this  deed 
unto  Mr.  Ralph  King,  Wm.  Bassett,  Senr,  and  ye  rest,  Selectmen  of  Lynn, 
and  ye  worshipful  Mr.  John  Browne  and  ye  rest  aforenamed  agents  for 
Reading,  all  trustees  and  prudentials  for  ye  two  townships  of  Lynn  and 
Reading,  to  them,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  for  ye  use  aforesaid, 
viz  :  ye  benefit  and  behoof  of  y6  purchasers  and  now  proprietors  of  ye 
two  townships  aforesaid,  as  a  good,  perfect  and  absolute  estate  of  inher- 
itance, in  fee  simple,  without  any  manner  of  condition,  reversion  or  lim- 
itation whatsoever,  so  as  to  alter,  change,  or  make  void  ye  same,  and 
that  ye  trustees  aforesaid,  and  y*  purchasers  and  now  proprietors  of  ye 
said  townships  of  Lynn  and  Reading,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  shall  and 
may,  by  virtue  and  force  of  these  presents,  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all 
times  forever  hereafter,  lawfully,  peaceably,  and  quietly,  have,  hold,  use, 
occupy,  possess  and  injoy,  ye  above-granted,  aliened  and  confirmed 
premises,  with  y8  appurtenances  and  benefits  thereof,  and  every  part  and 
parcel  thereof,  free  and  clear,  and  clearly  acquitted  and  off  and  from  all 
and  all  manner  of  other  gifts,  grants,  bargains,  sales,  leases,  mortgages, 
jointures,  dowers,  judgments,  executions,  fforfeitures,  and  off  and  from 
all  other  titles,  troubles,  charges,  incumbrances  whatsoever,  had,  made, 
committed,  done,  or  suffered  to  be  done  by  ye  said  David  and  Abigail 
his  wife,  Cicely,  alias  Su-George,  and  the  rest,  Indians,  aforenamed,  them 
or  any  of  them,  or  any  of  their  heirs  or  assigns,  or  any  of  their  ancestors 
at  any  time  or  times. 

And  further,  that  y*  said  David  Kunkshamooshaw  and  Abigail  his 
wife,  Su-George,  James  Quonopohit  and  Mary  his  wife,  &c.,  their  heirs, 
executors  and  administrators,  &c.,  jointly  and  severally  will  and  shall  by 
these  presents,  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times  hereafter,  warrant 
and  defend  ye  aforegranted  and  confirmed  premises,  with  their  appurte- 
nances, and  every  part  and  parcel  thereof  unto  ye  said  trustees,  or  pru- 
dentials aforenamed,  for  y*  townships  of  Lyn  and  Reading,  against  all 
and  every  person  or  persons  whatsoever,  anywaies  lawfully  clayming  or 
demanding  the  same  or  any  part  or  parcell  thereof. 


APPENDIX 


691 


And  lastly,  that  they,  ye  said  David  and  Su-George  and  James  Quon- 
opohit,  their  wives,  or  any  of  their  heirs,  executors,  or  administrators, 
shall  and  will,  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times  hereafter,  when  thereto 
required,  at  ye  cost  and  charges  of  said  trustees  and  prudentials,  their 
heirs  or  assigns,  or  ye  purchasers  and  proprietors  of  y*  townships  of 
Lynn  and  Reading,  etc.,  doe  make,  acknowledge,  suffer  all  and  every 
such  further  act  and  acts,  thing  and  things,  assurances  and  conveyances 
in  ye  law  whatsoever,  for  y*  furthermore  better  surety  and  sure  making 
of  the  abovesaid  townships  of  Lynn  and  Reading,  with  ye  rights,  hered- 
itaments, benefits,  and  appurtenances,  above,  by  these  presents,  men- 
tioned to  be  bargained,  aliened,  confirmed,  vnto  ye  aforesaid  trustees  and 
prudentials,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  for  y"  use  aforesaid,  as  by  y*  said 
trustees  aforesaid,  their  heirs  or  assigns  or  ye  said  proprietors,  or  by 
their  Council,  learned  in  the  law,  shall  be  reasonably  devised,  advised, 
or  required. 

In  witness  whereof,  ye  said  David  Kunkshamooshaw,  and  Abigail  his 
wife,  and  Cicely,  alias  Su-George,  and  James  Quonopohit  and  Mary  his 
wife,  have  hereunto  set  their  hands  and  seals,  ye  day  of  ye  date  being  y" 
fourth  day  of  September,  one  thousand  six  hundred  eighty  and  six, 
annoque  regni  regis  Jacobus  Secundi  Anglice. 

DAVID  "i^"  KUNKSHAMOOSHAW. 

mark. 

ABIGAIL  '>"  KUJSfKSHAMOOSHAW. 

mark, 
her 

CICELY  "TJ"  alias  SU-GEORGE. 

mark. 

"JAMES   QUONOPOHIT." 

her 

MARY  "X"  QUONOPOHIT. 

mark. 

All  the  persons  hereunto  subscribed,  acknowledged  the  within  written 
to  be  their  act  and  deed,  May  31,  1687. 

(as  certifies)  BARTHO.  GEDNEY,  one  of  y6  Council. 

The  above  deed  is  copied  from  Lewis  and  Newhall's  "  History  of 
Lynn,"  and  was  by  them,  or  rather  by  Mr.  Newhall,  found  among  the 
records  at  Salem. 


692  APPENDIX. 

B. 

At  a  General  Court  of  Election,  held  at  Boston,  23d  of  May,  1666, — 

Whereas,  the  Honorable  General  Court  having  formerly  granted  to 
the  town  of  Reading  a  Tract  of  Land  of  two  miles,  lying  between  their 
Grant  of  four  miles  and  Mr.  Bellingham's  farme  and  the  great  (Ipswich) 
river,  and  also  ordered  them  to  have  it  laid  out  sometime  before  this 
Court  sate ;  —  at  the  request  of  the  Town  that  this  Platt  of  Land  is  laid 
out  and  returned,  butted  and  bounded  as  followeth,  running  from  a 
Pine  tree  at  A,  north  by  the  compass,  Six  hundred  rods,  joynes  to  the 
Town  of  Reading  land  unto  B,  to  the  top  of  a  Rocky  hill ;  and  from 
B,  East  two  hundred  sixty-eight  rods  to  an  Oak  tree  at  C,  marked 
R.  B.,  and  joynes  the  Andover  land ;  and  from  C,  South  South  East 
8  deg.  =30  —  to  E  five  hundred  seventy  six  rods,  this  joynes  upon  the 
Governor's  farme  to  a  black  oak  tree  at  D,  marked  R.  B.,  and  this  line 
joynes  upon  Mr.  Bellingham's  farme ;  the  fourth  line  runs  from  D, 
E.  B.  N.,  two  hundred  thirty  six  rods  to  a  walnut  tree  at  E,  and  joynes 
also  on  Mr.  Bellingham's  farme ;  the  fifth  line  from  E,  South  East 
and  be  (by  ?)  South,  two  hundred  and  four  rods  to  a  black  oak  in 
Salem  line  at  F,  which  joynes  upon  the  farme  of  Thomas  Fuller  ;  the 
sixth  line  runs  from  F,  west  South  West,  2*-  S.  four  hundred  and 
twenty  rods  to  a  black  oak  at  G.,  the  which  line  is  Salem  bounds. 
The  7th  line  from  G.,  West  by  North,  7"-  No  :,  five  hundred  and  sixty 
eight  rods  to  a  Pine  tree  at  A  (the  place  of  beginning),  alongst  the 
river  (Ipswich)  side. 

Pr.  me,  ELISHA  HUTCHINSON. 

The  Court  allows  of  this  returne,  Provided  it  intrench  not  on  any 
former  Grant. 

A  true  Copy  as  appears  of  Record. 

Exam'd  Pr.  JAS.  ADDINGTON,  SfSt>y. 


C. 

At  the  second  Session  of  the  General  Court  held  at  Boston,  8th  of 
October,  1662. 

Laid  out  by  order  of  the  General  Court,  the  Deputy  Governor, 
Richard  Bellingham  Esq.,  his  farme,  now  in  the  occupation  of  Bray 
Wilkinson,  the  23d  of  September,  1662. 


APPENDIX.  693 

The  first  line  runs  from  a  white  Oak  marked  R.  B.  northwesterly  to 
a  Rocky  point,  where  a  white  Oak  is  marked ;  and  from  thence  by  the 
Southerly  corner  of  Beachy  meadow  to  a  white  oak  marked,  the  length 
about  a  mile  and  a  quarter.  The  second  line  from  the  last  marked 
white  oak  upon  a  west  and  by  South  Point,  about  a  mile  to  an  Oak 
marked  R.  B. 

The  third  line  from  the  said  Oak  upon  a  South  and  by  East  point  a 
mile  and  quarter  to  a  Tree  marked  on  the  South  West  side  of  the  Pond, 
taking  in  a  meadow  of  about  twenty-five  acres,  lying  without  the  said 
line  and  adjoining  to  it,  towards  the  northerly  end  thereof. 

The  fourth  line  from  the  last  marked  Tree,  upon  an  East  and  by 
North  point  to  the  first  white  Oak  marked  R.  B.,  in  length  one  mile  and 
a  quarter. 

Also,  One  hundred  acres  lying  square  on  the  plain  before  the  Dwell- 
ing house  of  Bray  Wilkinson ;  beginning  at  the  brook  that  runs  into 
Price's  meadow,  and  running  in  length  down  to  a  white  oak  marked, 
about  1 60  rod,  and  in  breadth  at  both  ends  100  rods  to  a  Tree  marked, 
at  either  end ;  the  lower  or  South  East  angle  being  a  Pine  Tree 
marked  ;  the  upper  or  North  West  angle  being  an  oak  marked,  stand- 
ing near  a  great  Rock,  —  Provided,  that  part  of  the  Pine  Swamp,  that 
lieth  within  the  said  Bounds,  shall  be  free  and  common  for  any  to  take 

off  the  timber  growing  thereon. 

WM.  HAWTHORNE, 

THOMAS  HOWLET. 
The  Court  allowes  and  approves  of  this  Return. 

A  true  Copy,  as  appears  of  Record, 

Exam'd  Pr.  JAS.  ADDINGTON,  Scty. 


D. 

A    LIST    OF    THE    SOLDIERS    OF   THE    REVOLUTION    FROM 

READING. 

It  is  not  presumed  that  this  is  a  perfect  list,  but  as  nearly  so  as  we 
had  time  and  ability  to  make  it 


Ephraim  Abbott. 
Josiah  Abbott 
Jonas  Adams. 
Joseph  Bancroft,  Lt 
Caleb  Bancroft, 
James  Bancroft,  Captain. 
Sam'l  Bancroft. 
Joshua  Bancroft. 


Jonas  Bancroft. 
Jonas  Bancroft,  Jr. 
Edmund  Bancroft. 
Job  Bancroft. 
John  Bancroft. 
John  Batchelder. 
John  Batchelder,  Jr. 
Nat'n  Batchelder. 


David  Batchelder. 

Wm.  Beers. 

Joshua  Burnham,  Fifer  and 

Drummer. 

Sampson  Blackman,  col'd. 
Primus  Blackman,         " 
Amos  Boardman. 
Elias  Boardman. 


694 


APPENDIX. 


Benj'n  Boardman. 

Elijah  Cory. 

Moses  Boardman. 

Samuel  Clapp. 

Joseph  Boutwell. 

Siers  Cook,  Ens. 

John  Boutwell. 

David  Damon. 

Kendall  Boutwell. 

Benja.  Damon. 

James  Boutwell. 

Ezra  Damon. 

John  Brooks. 

Samuel  Damon. 

Joseph  Brooks. 

Daniel  Damon. 

Jona.  Brooks. 

Joseph  Damon. 

Benj'n  Brown. 

Ebenezer  Damon. 

Charles  Brown. 

Wm.  Deadman. 

Jacob  Brown. 

John  Dix. 

Jona.  Brown. 

Robert  Douglas. 

Joseph  Brown. 

Robert  Daland. 

Amos  Bryant. 

James  Davis. 

Timothy  Bryant,  Jr. 

Daniel  Davis. 

James  Bryant. 

Benja.  Dutton,  Corp. 

John  Bryant. 

Samuel  Ellenwood. 

Elias  Bryant. 

Joseph  Eberdon. 

Butters. 

Thomas  Edmands. 

John  Brooks,  Capt. 

James  Emerson. 

John  Buxton. 

Peter  Emerson. 

John  Buxton,  Jr. 

Wm.  Emerson. 

Ebenezer  Buxton. 

Thomas  Emerson. 

Jeduthun  Buxton. 

Ebenezer  Emerson. 

Stephen  Buxton. 

Elias  Emerson. 

Benja.  Buxton. 

John  Emerson. 

Jona.  Buxton. 

John  Emerson.  Jr. 

Wm.  Buxton. 

Benja.  Emerson. 

Jacob  Burnap. 

Joseph  Emerson. 

John  Burnap. 

Aaron  Emerson. 

Geo.  Burnap. 

Daniel  Emerson. 

Isaac  Burnap. 

Kendall  Emerson,  Sergt. 

Joseph  Burnap. 

Natha'l  Emerson. 

John  Bailey. 

Joshua  Eaton,  Sergt. 

Joseph  Barrett. 

Joshua  Eaton,  Drum  Maj. 

Stephen  Barrett. 

Reuben  Eaton. 

Bacchus,  col'd. 

Lilley  Eaton. 

Abijah  Beard. 

Abraham  Eaton. 

Cleaveland  Beard. 

Timothy  Eaton. 

Wm.  Beard. 

Charles  Eaton,  Fifer. 

Zachariah  Bragg. 

Samuel  Eaton. 

Michael  Baldwin. 

Nathaniel  Eaton. 

Jeremiah  Baldwin. 

Jonathan  Eaton. 

Samuel  Bodge. 

Thomas  Eaton. 

Samuel  Badger. 

Thomas  Eaton,  Jr. 

Joseph  Burditt. 

Wm.  Eaton. 

John  Cutler  or  Cutter. 

Nathaniel  Eaton,  Jr. 

Ephraim  Carter. 

Eliab  Eaton. 

Benja.  Carter. 

Jeremiah  Eaton. 

Jabez  Carter. 

Sampson  Eaton. 

Stephen  Carter. 

Samuel  Evans. 

Enoch  Carter. 

Daniel  Evans. 

Robert  Convers. 

Nathaniel  Evans. 

Josiah  Convers. 

Andrew  Evans. 

Nathan'l  Cowdrey. 

Chester  Freeman,  col  d. 

Nathan'l  Cowdrey,  Jr. 

Doss  Freeman, 

Reuben  Coombs. 

Primus  Freeman, 

Reuben  Camp  (or  Kemp). 

Sharper  Freeman, 

Peter  Galley. 

Peter  Freeman, 

Stephen  Curtis. 

Cato  Freeman, 

Samuel  Cory. 

John  Fowle. 

Benja.  Flint. 
Levi  Flint. 

Ebenezer  Flint,  Sergt. 
Sam'l  Flint. 
Edmund  Flint. 
Daniel  Flint. 
John  Flint. 
George  Flint. 
Wm.  Flint. 
Jona.  Flint. 
Hezekiah  Flint. 

Farley. 

Edward  Farmer. 
John  Farmer. 
Nathan  Foster. 
Abraham  Foster,  Capt. 
Benja.  Foster. 
Edmund  Foster. 
Wm.  Foster,  Corporal. 
Andrew  Foster. 
Sam'l  Frothingham. 
John  Farrar. 
Nathan  Felch. 
John  Felch. 
Parker  Felch. 
Sam'l  Felch. 
Sam'l  Felt. 
Daniel  Gould. 
Reuben  Gould. 
Jona.  Gould. 
Wm.  Gould. 
Benja.  Gould. 
Wm.  Green. 
Thomas  Green. 
Jeremiah  Green. 
Daniel  Green. 
Jonas  Green. 
John  Green,  Serg. 
Daniel  Graves. 
Nathaniel  Graves. 
Benj.  Gleason. 
Stephen  Greenleaf. 
Thaddeus  Goodwin. 
John  Goodwin. 
Nathaniel  Goodwin. 
Samuel  Goodwin. 
Thomas  Goodwin. 
John  Hart 
Asa  Hart. 

Jeremiah  Hartshorn. 
Thomas  Hartshorn. 
Jona.  Hartshorn. 
Wm.  Hartshorn. 
John  Hartshorn. 
Nathaniel  Hartshorn. 
Timothy  Hartshorn. 
Thomas    Hatson   or   Hud- 
son, Fifer. 
Joel  Holden. 
John  Holden. 
Joseph  Holden. 
Thomas  Hay. 


APPENDIX. 


695 


William  Hay. 

Samuel  Hutchins. 

Joseph  Hopkins. 

Joseph  Hill. 

James  Hill. 

John  Hill. 

Paul  Hill. 

Asa  Hill. 

Alpheus  Hill. 

John  Hatson. 

Benj.  Hunt. 

Benja.  Herrick. 

Jacob  Herrick. 

Nicholas  HolL 

Joseph  HolL 

Wm.  Holt. 

John  Hutchinson  (Naval). 

Henry  Hawkes. 

Joseph  Hawkins. 

A.  Johnson. 

Joseph  Johnson. 

Benja.  Johnson. 

Seth  Johnson. 

Wm.  Johnson. 

Daniel  Killom,  Corp. 

Archelaus  Kenney. 

Enoch  Kidder. 

Seth  Leviston  (Livingston), 

Sergt 

John  Lambert  (Naval). 
Davis  Lambert 
Jonas  Lewis. 
Samuel  Lewis. 
Samuel  Lamson. 
Sampson  Ixmdon. 
Phineas  Mclntire. 
Benja.  Mclntire. 
Daniel  Mclntire. 
Wm.  Mclntire. 
Eben'r  Mclntire. 
Elijah  Mclntire. 
Elias  Mclntire, 
Nathan  Mason. 
Rob't  Mason. 
Richard  Mason. 
Wm.  Melendy. 
Wm.  McMillian. 
Peter  McAllister. 

Nick. 

Thomas  Nichols. 
Ebenezer  Nichols. 
Jesse  Nichols. 
Jona.  Nichols. 
Benja.  Nichols. 
Jeremiah  Nichols. 
Joseph  Nichols. 
John  Nichols, 
fephthah  Nutting. 
Jona.  Nutting. 
Elisha  Newhall. 
Aaron  Nurse. 
David  Parker. 


Wm.  Parker. 
Joseph  Parker. 
Daniel  Parker,  Jr. 
Jonas  Parker. 
Aaron  Parker. 
Ebenezer  Parker. 
Nathan  Parker. 
Edmund  Parker. 
Benja.  Parker. 
Elisha  Parker. 
Ichabod  Parker. 
Caleb  Parker. 
Amos  Pearson. 
Seward  Poland. 
Jonathan  P.  Pollard. 
John  Pike. 
Ebenezer  Pike. 
John  Pratt 
Ephraim  Pratt,  Left. 
Daniel  Pratt 
Benja.  Pratt 
Silas  Pratt 
Wm.  Pratt 
Ezra  Pratt. 
Joseph  Perry. 
Edward  Pratt 
Eleazer  Flagg  Poole. 
Samuel  Poole. 
Daniel  Poole. 
James  Poole. 
Titus  Potamia,  col'd. 
Isaac  Ridgway. 
Thos.  Richardson, 
Wm.  Richardson. 
Edmund  Richardson. 
Peter  Richardson. 
Herbert  Richardson. 
Luke  Richardson. 
Benja.  Roaff 
Jonas  Rice. 
Wm.  Raddin. 
Wm.  Russell. 
Thos.  Sawyer. 
Wm.  Sawyer. 
Eben'r  Smith. 
Isaac  Smith. 
Ezra  Smith. 
Abraham  Smith. 
Benj.  Smith. 
Wm.  Stimpson. 
Wm.  Stimpson,  2d. 
Ebenezer  Stimpson. 
Phineas  Stimpson. 
Enoch  Stock  er. 
Cornelius  Sweetser. 
John  Sweetser. 
Win.  Sweetser. 
Benja.  Sweetser. 
Jona.  Stearns. 
Isaac  Stearns. 
James  Symonds. 
Thomas  Symonds. 


Isaac  Symonds. 
Samuel  Seagrave  (Naval). 
Ebenezer  Stone. 
Russell  Sheldon. 
Jesse  Snow. 
Elisha  Tottingham. 
Elisha  Tottingham,  Jr. 
Thomas  Thoyt 
Wm.  Tarbox. 
Jona.  Thompson. 
Wm.  Thompson. 
Israel  Taylor. 
Samuel  Taylor. 
John  Taylor. 
Samuel  Temple. 
Nath'l  Upton. 
Amos  Upton. 
Ebenezer  Upton. 
Isaac  Upton. 
John  Upton. 
Paul  Upton. 
Abraham  Upton. 
Jeduthan  Upton. 
Jethro  Upton. 
Timothy  Vinton,  Jr. 
Oliver  Walton. 
Benja.  Walton. 
Jacob  Walton. 
Ebenezer  Walton. 
Josiah  Walton. 
James  Walton. 
Nathan  Walton. 
Isaac  Walton. 
Jotham  Walton. 
Israel  Walton. 
Timothy  Wakefield. 
Eben'r  Wakefield. 
Wm.  Winship. 
Jacob  Wait 
Thomas  Wait 
David  Wright. 
Nathan  Wool  ley 
David  Watson. 
Abel  Whiting. 
James  Wilson. 
Leonard  Wilson. 
Wm.  Wilson. 
Benja.  Williams,  Corp. 
Asa  Williams. 
Eben'r  Williams. 
Nathaniel  Wiley. 
Wm.  Wiley. 
Eben'r  Wiley. 
James  Wiley. 
John  Wiley. 
Timothy  Wiley. 
Phineas  Wiley. 
Samuel  Wiley. 
Jona.  Weston. 
Nathaniel  Weston, 
James  Weston. 
Reuben  Weston. 


696  APPENDIX. 


Daniel  Weston. 
John  Walker. 
Samuel  Walker. 
Joseph  Walker. 


Benj.  Welch. 
Sam'l  Woodward. 
Timothy  Wiley. 
Jona.  Wiley. 


Nathaniel  Wiley,  Jr. 
Benja.  Wiley. 
Benja.  Young. 
Wm.  Young. 


E. 

"  Reading,  May  7,  1719. 

A  pettion  of  ye  assessors  of  ye  north  presinct  in  Reeding,  in  ye  behalf 
of  ye  foresaid  presinct  to  y*  towne  of  Reeding,  that  whareas  by  an  act  of 
ye  Genneral  Cort  we  ware  made  a  presinct  and  th^ir  by  obliged  to  setil  a 
minister,  and  to  see  him  comfortably  suported  ;  and  thair  being  sav- 
rail  parsels  of  madow,  which  the  towne  has  devoted  to  a  minesteral  use, 
altho'  we  are  two  distinct  presincts,  yet  we  are  but  one  towne,  hoping  yt 
you  will  one  us  for  a  part  of  the  Towne  by  granting  us,  y*  North  presinct, 
ye  emprovement  of  ye  one  half  of  ye  minesteral  madows,  which  we 
hope  you  Readely  Doe,  which  will  be  a  halp  to  us  and  an  incorigment 
to  y*  Reverand  Mr  Putman  to  continue  amonst  us,  a  man  in  whome  we 
tak  much  satisfaction  ;  —  which  we  hop  you  rejoyc  in ;  which  we  have 
Reson  to  think  you  do,  by  what  we  have  heard  yt  there  is  a  considrable 
number  that  has  subscribed  fifteen  pounds  annually  for  five  years  to 
incorig  the  satilment  of  the  gospel  amongst  us  ;  and  also  the  Towne  in 
General  afterward  by  a  free  and  voluntary  Contribution,  which  was  a 
great  halp  to  us,  and  no  doubt  but  a  great  incorigment  to  the  Revrand 
Mr.  Putman,  for  which  we  thank  god  for  opning  your  harts  thus  bounti- 
fully to  us  in  our  beginings  to  incorig  the  gospel  amongst,  for  wc  we 
Render  you  harty  thanks. 

So  we  remain  your  Frinds  and  humble  pettioners,  by  the  Request  of 
presinct  and  in  behalf  of  the  presinct. 

"THOMAS  TAYLOR. 
JOHN  HARNDEN. 
V^  JOHN  EATON." 

F. 

"  To  ye  freehold™  &  inhabitants  of  Reading  (peticularly  those  belong- 
ing to  this  parish)  convened  May  14,  1719,  Grace,  mercy  and  peace 
unto  you  be  multiplyd,  amen.  Brethren,  I  lately  received  of  Constable 
Ed:  Brown  £g  2S.  \d.  in  full  for  my  Sallary  for  ye  year  1718,  \vih  my 
thanks  to  you,  yt  tis  so  early  come  in.  Twas  seasonable  to  me.  But  I 
confess  twas  much  too  scant  for  my  necessity.  You  are  not  insensible 
yt  allmost  everything  is  strangely  raised  of  late.  Brethren,  I  am  sen- 


APPENDIX. 


697 


sible  of  the  charge  this  parish  has  lately  been  at,  both  in  incourageing 
ye  North  precinct,  at  wc  I  have  rejoyced,  and  moveing  y*  pulpit  wrin  I  find 
help  and  benefit  It  is  not  yrfore  w^out  sensible  trouble,  yt  I  feel  a  ne- 
cessity to  tell  you  my  sinking  circumstances.  I  have  recd  my  Sallary,  and 
yet  find  myselfe  more  than  £20  in  debt  for  necessaries  received  y*  last 
year,  besides  what  is  advanced  in  ys,  wc  is  more  yn  half  of  yt  sum. 
And  yet  I  have  pay'd  my  money,  rec'd  of  you,  as  far  as  it  would  go, 
reserving  but  a  short  pittance  to  myselfe.  In  other  years  yt  I  have 
been  w*  you,  when  I  was  in  Straits  (as  w*  I  have  had  of  you  has  never 
maintained  me),  I  helped  myselfe  out  of  my  own  estate,  &c.,  more  than 
20  pounds,  and  yt  most  cheerfully  ;  for  I  came  not  here  to  make  a  prey 
of  you,  nor  an  estate  among  you  ;  but  because  I  thou't  God  call'd  me 
here :  But  of  late  such  has  been,  &  yet  are  the  circumstances  of  my 
proper  estate,  yt  I  cant  do  as  I  have  done ;  could  I,  I  had  done  it  still 
wthout  troubling  you  now.  In  short,  Brethren,  if  to  have  no  cheese, 
butf,  malt,  nor  stock  of  meal,  no  more  yn  one  bushel  of  corn,  nor 
money  to  buy,  be  to  be  in  want,  I  am  so.  But  I  will  not  faint,  y*  Earthe 
is  ye  Lord's  and  the  fullness  y'of.  Brethren,  If  you  can  considr  me  and 
raise  my  Sallary  in  time  to  come,  I  leave  it  with  you  &  commit  myselfe 
to  y*  Lord,  &  under  him  to  you,  while  I  am  among  you  ;  Being  willing 
to  my  utmost  to  serve  you  so  long  as  ye  Ld  shall  enable  me,  and  you 
willing  to  suport  me. 

"  I  am  yr  Soul's  frind  and  Servant, 

"RICH'D   BROWN." 
"MAY  ir,  1719." 


G. 

SOLDIERS     IN     THE     FRENCH    AND    INDIAN    WARS    OF    1745    TO 

i759-'6o. 


Col.  Eben'r  Nichols. 
.CapL  Wm.   Flint  (died  at 

Lake    George   in    1756 

or  '7). 
Lieut.  Benj.  Foster. 

"      Samuel  Hartshorn. 

"      Jacob  Bancroft. 
Corp.  Benj.  Parker. 

"      Joseph  Hill. 
Wm.  Stimpson,  clerk. 
Caleb  Bancroft 
Jeremiah  Bancroft. 
Kendall  Flint. 
Cornelius  Calnon. 
Elijah  Dennis. 
Lt  Benj.  Flint 
8* 


Samuel  Graves. 
John  Batt 
John  Jeffrey. 
Thos.  Gould. 
Thos.  Hart. 
Eben'r  Lewis. 
Joel  Morgan. 
Timothy  Nichols. 
Phineas  Richardson. 
Thos.  Thoyts. 
Wm.  Winchester. 
Thos.  Richardson. 
Green  Parker. 
Abraham  Foster. 
Isaac  Walton. 
Didymus  Nichols. 


Stephen  Knight 
John  Brown. 
Joshua  Eaton. 
Kendall  Goodwin. 
Lemuel  Jenkins. 
Thos.  Rayner. 
Ebenezer  Parker. 
John  Weston. 
Nathaniel  Eaton. 
Jonal  Foster. 
Jpna.  Mclntire. 
Ens.  James  Poole. 
\Vm.  Sheldon. 
Richard  Melendy. 
Timo.  Hartshorne  (died). 
Timo.  Bryant 


698 


APPENDIX. 


Capt.  David  Greene. 

Jacob  Townsend. 

Sergt.  Joshua  Nichols. 

John  Atwell. 

James  Hartshorne. 

Nath'l  Cowdrey. 

John  Emerson,  Jr. 

Phineas  Parker. 

Benj.  Batchelder. 

Isaac  Noyes. 

John  Boutwell. 

Sam'l  Smith. 

Michael  Sweetser. 

James  Williams. 

Troop  of  Horse. 

Capt.  Jonathan  Poole. 

Capt.  Jona.  Eaton. 

Daniel  Gardner. 

Capt.  John  Bryant. 

Capt.  Thos.  Flint. 

Q.  M.  James  Weston. 

Abraham  Sheldon. 

Corpl.  Jabez  Damon. 

James  Flint. 

Francis  Kendall,  Jr. 

Wm.  Sawyer. 

Thos.  Eaton. 

Timo.  Russell. 

Eben'r  Smith. 

Ephraim  Pratt. 

1  eter  Emerson. 

Jona.  Dix. 

Timo.  Nichols,  Jr. 

Eben'r  Mclntire. 

John  Weston. 

Timothy  Mclntire. 

Wm.  Bryant,  Jr. 

Benj.  Mclntire. 

Jacob  Upton. 

Jona.  Tower. 

Abraham  Upton. 

Daniel  Graves. 

Jonah  Parker. 

Timothy  Eaton. 

Elijah  Upton. 

Samuel  Marbel. 

Wm.  Winchester. 

John  Buxton. 

Archelaus  Mclntire. 

Solomon  Mclntire. 

Eph'm  Sheldon. 

Ephr'm  Holt. 

Collins  Hartshorn. 

Timothy  Stimpson. 

Jacob  Pierce. 

Jacob  Upton. 

Daniel    Sheldon  (died   in 

Nathan  Phelps. 

service). 

Asa  Barker. 

Jona.  Batchelder. 

Jeremiah  Richardson. 

Thos.  Nichols. 

Timo.  Bancroft. 

Mingo,   servant   of  Jere'h 

James  Woodward. 

Swain. 

Wm.  Pelsue. 

Sergt.  Nathan  Walton. 

James   Walton    (died    in 

Capt.  John  Dix. 

the  service). 

Thos.  Brown  (son  of  Jere.). 

Joseph  Felch  (died  in  the 

John  Kimball. 

service). 

Sam'l  Smith. 

Asa  Buck. 

Josiah  Walton,  Jr. 

Capt.  Sam'l  Bancroft. 

Nathan  Flint. 

Phineas  Lovejoy. 

Jesse  Richardson. 

Ephraim  Parker. 

Jere'h  Richardson. 

Benja.  Nichols. 

John  Lilley. 

Joseph  Bancroft. 

Nath'l  Eaton. 

Jona.  Weston. 

Lemuel  Jenkins. 

Thos.  Rainer. 

John  Brown. 

Stephen  Knight. 

James  Stimpson,  Surgeon's 

mate,   in   His   Majesty's 

ship  "  King  George." 
Phineas  Parker,  Jr. 
Nath'l  Swain  (son  of  John). 
Wm.  Coggin. 
Eben'r  Damon. 
Daniel  Foster. 
Samuel  Foster. 
John  Nichols  (escaped  by 

flight  from  the  massacre 

at  Fort  Edward). 
Jona.  Person  (2d  Lt.). 
Sergt.  John  Swain. 
Nath'l  Batchelder. 
Jonas  or  Jona.  Parker. 
Thos.  Boutwell. 
Samuel    Brown    (son     of 

Jere.). 
John     Boutwell     (son    of 

John). 

Samuel  Farley. 
Benj.  Batchelder. 
Tim.  Damon. 
Amos  Green. 
Jere'h  Bryant,  Jr. 
Reuben  Boutwell. 
Amos  Flint. 
Wm.  Upton. 
Eben'r  Lewis. 
Sam'l  Damon. 
Samuel  Sheldon. 
Benj.  Curtis. 
Sam'l  Reed. 
Wm.  Buxton. 
Benj.  Swain. 
Kendall  Townsend. 
Nath'l  Sawyer.' 
Asa  Parker. 
Eben'r  P'lint. 
Wm.  Bickford. 


H. 

ROLLS   OF  THE   THREE   COMPANIES   OF  MILITIA, 

IN  THE  TOWN  OF  READING,  BELONGING  TO  THE  REGIMENT  COMMANDED  BY  COL. 
DAVID  GREEN,  OF  READING,  AS  THEY  STOOD  APRIL  19,  1775. 


1st  Parish  Co. 
John  Walton,  Captain. 
John  Pratt,  Lieut. 
Thomas  Green,  Ens. 
John  Brown,  Sergt. 
John  Vinton,      " 


Wm.  Green,  Sergt. 
Daniel  Gould,     " 
James  Smith,  Corp'l. 
James  Bennett,  " 
Thomas  Poole,  Drummer. 
Thos.  Hudson,  Fifer. 


Aaron  Green. 
John  Fowle. 
Isaac  Smith. 
Michael  Sweetser. 
Nathan'l  Wiley. 
David  Smith. 


APPENDIX. 


699 


Benj.  Boardman. 

John  Hawkes. 

Eph.  Mclntier. 

Reuben  Eaton. 

Brown  Emerson. 

Solomon  Mclntier. 

Wm.  Gould. 

Jabez  Carter. 

Mr.  Jacob  Mclntier. 

Wm.  Gould,  Jr. 

James  Hartshorn. 

Wm.  Nichols. 

James  Wiley. 

John  Green. 

Henry  Putnam. 

Amos  Boardman. 

Elias  Boatdman. 

Joseph  Phelps. 

Nathan  Green. 

Tho.  Parker,  Sen'r. 

David  Parker. 

Wm.  Tarbox. 

Jacob  Emerson. 

Sam'l  Parker. 

James  Johnson. 

Josiah    Green    and    Tho. 

Isaac  Tinkcom. 

John  Pratt. 

Hay,  from  Stoneham. 

Wm.  Russell. 

Nath'l  Gerry. 

Sergt.  Abraham  Sheldon. 

Isaac  Green. 

id  Parish  Co. 

Ens.  Wm.  Sawyer. 

Jonas  Green. 

John  Flint,  Captain. 

John  Stack  or  Slack. 

Josiah  Bryant. 

John  Dix,  1st  Lt. 

Nath'l  Sheldon,  Jr. 

Jeremiah  Bryant. 

*Eph'm  Pratt,  2d  Lt 

Zack'h  Sheldon. 

Jonathan  Evans. 

Timothy  Russell,  Sergt. 

Wm.  Stone. 

Thomas  Evans. 

Geo.  Flint, 

Thos.  Taylor,  Jr. 

Jonas  Evans. 

Benja.  Upton, 

Samuel  Taylor. 

Eben'r  Smith. 

Jabez  Upton,             " 

Joseph  Upton. 

Sam'l  Felch. 

Jonathan  Batchelder. 

Jacob  Upton. 

Nathan  Felch. 

Job  Bancroft 

Amos  Upton,  Jr. 

John  Farrier. 

John  Burnap. 

Amos  Upton,  3d. 

Nathan  Wolley. 

Mr.  John  Bragg. 

Eben'r  Upton. 

Cornelius  Sweetser. 

John  Clummons. 

W.  Upton. 

Daniel  Lewis. 

Stephen  Curtis. 

Nath'l  Upton,  Jr. 

Timothy  Bryant. 

Mr.  Ezra  Damon. 

John  Upton. 

Samuel  Evans. 

Mr.  David  Damon. 

David  Upton. 

Eben'r  Parker. 

Dea.  Jeremiah  Eaton. 

Dr.  Amos  Upton. 

John  Colman. 

Timothy  Eaton. 

Capt.  Hexekiah  Upton. 

John  Lambert 

Israel  Eaton. 

Wm   Whittredge. 

Eben'r  Williams. 

Nath'l  Eaton,  Jr. 

David  Wright 

Tho.  Damon. 

Nath'l  Evans. 

Benja.  Hartshorn. 

Sam'l  Ellenwood. 

•yi  Parish  Co. 

Jonathan  Hartshorn. 

Lt  Eleazer  Flint 

Thomas  Eaton,  Capt 

Eben'r  Stimpson. 

Lt.  Benj.  Flint. 

Jonas  Parker,  Lieut 

Eben'r  Hopkins. 

Mr.  Jona.  Flint 

John  Emerson,  Ens. 

Wm.  Bennett. 

Mr.  James  Flint 

Amos  Pearson,  Sergt. 

John  Goodwin. 

Eben'r  Flint,  Jr. 

Joseph  Bancroft,      " 

Benja.  Emerson. 

Benj.  Flint,  Jr. 

Wm.  Parker,            " 

Jacob  Walton. 

Benj.  Flint,  3d. 

John  Boutwell,        " 

Benj.  Butters. 

Benj.  Flint,  4th. 

John  Temple,  CorpL 

Sam'l  Kitchens. 

Jona.  Flint,  Jr. 

Asa  Parker,          " 

Peter  Emerson  (died  in  the 

Wm.  Flint 

Isaac  Pratt,           " 

army,  Nov.  16,  1783). 

James  Foster. 

Wm.  Nichols,  Drummer. 

Tho.  Davis. 

Benja.  Foster. 

Edmund  Bancroft 

Jona.  Eaton. 

Nathan  Foster. 

Samuel  Emerson. 

Benja.  Brown. 

Abraham  Foster. 

Samuel  Damon. 

Wm.  Brown. 

Martin  Herrick. 

Abraham  Eaton. 

Joseph  Emerson. 

Samuel  Herrick. 

John  Nichols. 

Joseph  Gould. 

Jacob  Herrick. 

Daniel  Parker,  Jr. 

Thos.  Parker,  Jr. 

Benj.  Holt 

Benja.  Parker. 

Thos.  Emerson. 

John  Hayward. 

John  Pratt. 

Thos.  Emerson,  Jr. 

Daniel  Hart 

Richard  Nichols. 

Aaron  Nurse. 

Asa  Hart 

Thos.  Symonds. 

Lille  Eaton. 

Ens.  Joseph  Lewis. 

Jethro  Richardson. 

Jonathan  Foster. 

Benj.  Mclntier. 

Wm.  Foster. 

Jere'h  Brown. 

Benja.  Mclntier,  Jr. 

Eben'r  Richardson. 

Wm.  Walton. 

Nath'l  Mclntier. 

Nath'l  Weston. 

Eben'r  Walton. 

Hezekiah  Mclntier. 

Jonathan  Poole. 

Oliver  Walton. 

Eben'r  Mclntier. 

Aaron  Emerson. 

*  Took  the  small-po*  at  Ticonderoga,  and  died  at  the  Lake  George  Hospital. 


/oo 


APPENDIX. 


Caleb  Parker. 
Wm.  Temple. 
Wm.  Beard. 
Timothy  Pratt 
Jeremiah  Nichols. 
James  Boutwell. 
James  Eaton. 
Jonas  Eaton. 
Edm'd  Parker. 
Sam'l  Pratt 
Ephraim  Parker,  2d. 
Abijah  Weston. 


Aaron  Parker. 
Isaac  Parker. 
John  Hartshorn. 
Timothy  Wakefield. 
John  Farmer. 
John  Buxton. 
Joseph  Boutwell. 
Richard  Mason. 
Reuben  Weston. 
Benja.  Young. 
Wm.  Tompson. 
Jeduthun  Buxton. 


Jona.  Nichols. 
Jona.  Weston,  Jr. 
John  Stimpson. 
Jacob  Townsend. 
Andrew  Beard. 
Daniel  Parker,  Sen'r. 
Ephraim  Parker,  " 
Jos.  Hill. 

Jonathan  Weston,  Sen'r. 
Jabez  Damon. 
Eben'r  Emerson. 
John  Weston. 


HH. 

REMINISCENCES    OF   THE  REVOLUTION.* 

Among  the  men  of  note  who  formerly  belonged  in  Reading,  the 
name  of  Dr.  John  Brooks,  afterwards  Governor  of  the  State,  stands 
prominent.  He  lived  here  for  some  time  before  the  breaking  out  of  the 
War  of  the  Revolution,  residing  in  the  house  formerly  belonging  to  Mr. 
Samuel  Damon,  on  John  Street.  He  m.  Lucy  Smith,  of  Reading,  in 
1774,  and  was  in  practice  here  the  same  year,  though  only  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  His  sister,  Elizabeth,  m.  Rev.  Jacob  Burnap.  Was 
Major  in  Bridge's  regiment,  and  active  in  intrenching  Breed's  Hill  June 
16, 1775,  but  was  not  in  the  battle  of  the  i7th.  Feb.  '76,  made  Major  in 
Col.  Webb's  regiment,  igth,  and  went  with  it  to  Long  Island.  In  '77, 
promoted  to  Lieut-Col,  of  Eighth  Massachusetts  Regiment.  In  '78  made 
Col.  of  Seventh  Massachusetts  Regiment ;  appointed  by  Washington 
Marshal  and  Inspector  of  the  Revenue  in  '95.  In  War  of  1812  was 
Adj. -Gen.  of  the  State,  and  Governor  from  1816  to  '23.  A  company 
of  minute-men  was  formed  here  before  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities 
between  the  colonies  and  the  mother  country.  Dr.  Brooks  was 
chosen  its  Captain.  Not  being  accustomed  to  military  drill  and  tactics, 
he  watched  the  military  evolutions  of  the  British  at  Boston,  where  he 
frequently  resorted,  perhaps  for  that  object,  and  put  the  knowledge 
thus  gained  into  immediate  practice  in  drilling  his  company  here.  He 
was  in  Boston  on  the  afternoon  of  April  18,  1775, tne  day  before  the 
battle  of  Lexington,  and  saw  the  preparatory  movements  of  the  British. 
*In  the  night  following  he  received  a  message  that  they  were  moving 
towards  Concord.  He  had  a  patient  at  the  Hartshorn  house  on  Haver- 
hill  Street,  then  called  u  Pratt  Row,"  whom  he  visited  about  midnight, 
and  took  the  opportunity  to  notify  the  men  of  his  company  in  that 
part  of  the  town  of  the  movement  of  the  British. 


*  Furnished  by  Hiram  Barrus,  of  Reading. 


APPENDIX. 


701 


It  appears  that  some  of  his  company  lived  in  what  is  now  North 
Reading.  Ephraim  Pratt  lived  about  a  mile  north  of  the  meeting- 
house there,  and  belonged  to  the  company,  with  his  son  Ephraim.  It  is 
said  that  Capt.  Brooks  galloped  into  the  yard  fronting  his  house,  call- 
ing out  in  a  stentorian  voice,  '*  Stand  to  your  arms !  stand  to  your 
arms  !  "  Father  and  son  arose,  picked  their  flints,  saw  that  their  pow- 
der was  dry  and  their  bullets  ready,  and  hastened  to  the  field  of  strife. 

C.  P.  Judd,  Esq.,  relates  that  he  had  the  information  from  reliable 
sources  that  this  company  was  in  constant  preparation  for  such  an  emer- 
gency. The  members  had  loaves  of  bread  baked,  and  a  supply  of  cheese 
ready  to  take  with  them  at  a  moment's  warning.  They  had  a  preconcerted 
signal  by  which  they  might  be  summoned  together  in  the  shortest  possi- 
ble time,  but  as  they  had  the  night  before  them  in  which  to  make  prepara- 
tion, it  does  not  appear  that  the  signal  was  required.  It  is  understood 
that  the  chief  part  of  the  company  were  together  in  the  latter  part  of 
the  night  near  Weston's  Corner,  and  under  command  of  Capt.,  then 
Lieut.  James  Bancroft,  set  out  upon  their  march  in  season  to  be  at 
Bedford  early  in  the  morning  of  the  day  of  the  battle. 

Edward  Everett  says,  "  Every  cross  road  opened  a  new  avenue  to  the 
assailants.  Through  one  of  these  the  gallant  Brooks  led  up  the  minute- 
men  of  Reading."  From  this  it  appears  that  Gov.  Brooks  assumed 
command  of  his  company  when  they  reached  the  scene  of  action,  if 
not  before. 

Hudson,  in  his  History  of  Lexington,  says,  "The  British  commenced 
their  retreat  from  Concord  about  noon.  For  the  first  mile  they  were 
unmolested ;  but  when  they  arrived  at  Merriam's  Corner  they  encoun- 
tered a  party  of  minute-men  from  Reading  under  Major  Brooks,  — 
Col.  William  Thompson,  with  a  body  of  militia  from  Billerica  and  the 
vicinity,  coming  up  about  the  same  time.  The  Provincials  on  the  high 
grounds  near  the  North  Bridge,  seeing  the  British  leaving  the  village, 
went  across  the  '  great  field  '  to  the  Bedford  road,  and  arrived  in  time 
to  support  the  troops  brought  up  by  Brooks  and  Thompson.  Here  may 
be  said  to  have  commenced  the  battle  of  the  ipth  of  April.  At  Lexington 
Common  and  at  Concord  North  Bridge  but  few  guns  had  been  fired 
by  the  Americans,  and  though  ten  Americans  had  fallen,  only  one  of 
the  king's  troops  had  been  killed.  But  now  all  restraint  seems  to  have 
been  removed,  and  every  true  patriot  felt  at  full  liberty  to  fire  without  the 
bidding  of  any  superior.  Rev.  Edmund  Foster,  then  a  young  man  and 
a  private  in  the  Reading  company,  gives  a  graphic  account  of  what 
occurred  at  this  point :  'A  little  before  we  came  to  Merriam's  Hill,  we 
discovered  the  enemy's  flank  guard  of  about  eighty  or  a  hundred  men, 


702 


APPENDIX. 


who,  on  the  retreat  from  Concord,  kept  the  height  of  land,  the  main 
body  being  in  the  road.  The  British  troops  and  the  Americans  at  that 
time  were  equally  distant  from  Merriam's  Corner.  About  twenty  rods 
short  of  that  place  the  Americans  made  a  halt.  The  British  marched 
down  the  hill  with  very  slow  but  steady  step,  without  music  or  a  word 
being  spoken  that  could  be  heard.  Silence  reigned  on  both  sides.  As 
soon  as  the  British  had  gained  the  main  road  and  passed  a  small  bridge 
near  the  corner,  they  faced  about  suddenly  and  fired  a  volley  of  musketry 
upon  us.  They  overshot,  and  no  one  to  my  knowledge  was  injured  by  the 
fire.  The  fire  was  immediately  returned  by  the  Americans,  and  two  British 
soldiers  fell  dead  at  a  little  distance  from  each  other  in  the  road  near 
the  brook.  The  battle  now  began,  and  was  carried  on  with  little  or  no 
military  discipline  or  order  on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  during  the 
remainder  of  the  day.  Each  sought  his  own  place  and  opportunity  to 
attack  and  annoy  the  enemy  from  behind  trees,  rocks,  fences,  and  build- 
ings, as  seemed  most  convenient.  .  .  .  We  saw  a  wood  at  a  distance, 
which  appeared  to  lie  on  or  near  the  road  where  the  enemy  must  pass. 
Many  leaped  over  the  walls  and  made  for  that  wood.  We  arrived  just 
in  time  to  meet  the  enemy.  There  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road 
a  young  growth  of  wood  filled  with  Americans.  The  enemy  were  now 
completely  between  two  fires  renewed  and  briskly  kept  up.  They 
ordered  out  a  flank  guard  on  the  left  to  dislodge  the  Americans  from 
their  posts  behind  the  trees ;  but  they  only  became  better  "marks 
to  be  shot  at.  A  short  but  sharp  contest  ensued,  in  which  the  enemy 
received  more  deadly  injury  than  at  any  other  place  from  Concord  to 
Charlestown.' " 

This  account  shows  that  the  Reading  men  were  in  the  hottest  of  the 
fight,  and  among  the  first,  if  not  the  first,  to  begin  the  battle.  It  is  re- 
markable that  none  of  them  were  killed,  and  this  fact  probably  is  the 
reason  why  the  part  performed  by  the  Reading  men  has  not  received 
more  notice. 

It  appears  that  some  of  the  minute-men  did  not  go  with  their  com- 
pany to  the  scene  of  action.  Among  these  were  Timothy  Wakefield, 
Esq.,  Capt.  Joseph  Bancroft,  Col.  Nathan  Parker,  Capt.  Jonathan 
Weston,  and  possibly  others,  who  started  later  in  the  day,  direct  for 
Lexington,  and  encountered  the  British  on  their  retreat.  Capt.  Wes- 
ton related  to  his  grandson,  Sumner  Weston,  that  he  was  employed 
near  where  the  Lynnfield  Hotel  now  is,  and  that  a  man  rode  up  on  the 
morning  of  the  ipth,  and  gave  the  alarm.  He  immediately  went  to 
his  house,  which  then  was  the  last  house  in  Reading  on  the  way  to 
Stoneham,  took  his  gun,  and,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Thomas  Sweetser, 


APPENDIX. 


703 


who  lived  in  the  first  house  in  Stoneham,  they  proceeded  on  their  way, 
till  they  reached  the  retreating  redcoats.  Shielding  themselves  behind 
a  rock  near  a  stone  fence,  they  commenced  firing  upon  the  regulars. 
They  were  so  intent  upon  their  patriotic  work  that  they  did  not  observe 
the  approach  of  the  enemy's  flank  guard  till  they  were  almost  upon 
them.  Mr.  Sweetser  discovered  their  approach,  and  with  a  word  of 
warning  to  Weston,  who  sat  with  his  ammunition  in  his  hat  before  him, 
started  for  a  place  of  safety.  Weston  was  so  absorbed  in  his  business 
that  he  did  not  recognize  the  note  of  alarm  till  it  was  repeated  and 
emphasized  by  Col.  Nathan  Parker,  who  came  up  at  that  moment, 
when  the  trio,  mid  the  whistling  balls  of  the  guard,  made  their  escape 
unharmed  to  the  woods  near  by. 

Whether  our  men  who  had  been  engaged  in  the  fight  during  the  day 
returned  to  their  homes  that  night,  or  remained  in  camp,  we  have  no 
positive  information,  but  it  is  said  they  returned.  An  account-book 
that  formerly  belonged  to  Lieut.  Joseph  Bancroft  has  this  item,  which 
implies  that  some  of  our  men  continued  in  the  service  from  the  day  of 
the  battle  :  "April  19,  1775.  I  was  in  the  Province  service  ten  days." 
Another  item  follows,  indicating  further  service  for  the  cause :  "  May 
5,  1775.  I  carted  eight  barrels  of  pork  from  Reading  to  Watertown 
Bridge." 

An  obituary  notice  of  Capt.  James  Bancroft,  published  in  the  "  New 
England  Magazine,"  Vol.  I,  July,  1831,  mentions  that  "he  became  a 
subaltern  officer  in  a  company  of  minute-men,  and  was  engaged  in  the 
skirmishes  at  Lexington.  He  then  with  his  regiment  took  post  at 
Cambridge."  The  town  records  of  May  18,  1775,  within  a  month  after 
the  Battle  of  Lexington,  show  that  at  that  date,  Dea.  Jacob  Emerson 
was  chosen  "  selectman  in  the  room  of  James  Bancroft,  who  is  gone 
into  the  army."  It  is  evident  from  this  act  of  the  town  and  the  state- 
ment referred  to,  that  he  soon,  if  not  at  once,  gave  up  his  time  to  the 
common  cause.  On  the  day  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  June  17, 
his  company  was  on  guard  at  head-quarters.  Gen.  Washington  took 
command  of  the  army  under  the  famous  Cambridge  Elm,  July  3,  1775. 
The  Reading  minute-men,  under  Capt.  Bancroft  and  Major  Brooks, 
were  assigned  one  of  the  most  honorable  positions  on  that  occasion. 
The  company  had  provided  themselves  for  use  on  special  occasions  at 
home  a  cheap  paper  cap  that  resembled  those  worn  by  the  British 
Grenadiers.  Major  Brooks  desired  Capt.  Bancroft  to  procure,  if 
possible,  a  sufficiency  of  them  to  supply  the  company,  in  order  to  give 
the  commander-in-chief  as  respectful  a  reception  as  possible.  But  the 
requisite  number  could  not  be  had,  and  the  august  General  was  received 
by  citizen  soldiers  in  citizens'  apparel. 


704 


APPENDIX. 


It  would  be  gratifying  to  know  the  name  of  each  person  belonging 
to  this  Reading  company  of  minute-men,  but  it  is  extremely  doubtful 
whether  they  can  ever  be  obtained.  It  is  possible  that  the  papers  of 
Gov.  Brooks,  the  first  captain  of  the  company,  or  those  of  Rev.  Ed- 
mund Foster,  who  was  a  member  of  it,  and  who  wrote  that  portion  of 
the  account  of  the  battle  at  Concord  which  has  been  quoted,  may  yet 
furnish  the  desired  information,  but  the  probabilities  are  against  it. 

Gen.  Lafayette,  in  his  visit  to  this  country  in  1825,  passed  through 
this  town  on  his  way  to  Concord,  N.  H.  He  stopped  at  the  hotel  that 
then  stood  where  the  bank  building  now  stands,  for  half  an  hour  or  so. 
He  made  a  short  address  to  a  crowd  of  the  citizens  that  came  to  see 
and  welcome  him.  Rev.  Mr.  Sanborn  responded,  and  in  the  course  of 
his  remarks  he  claimed  that  the  company  of  minute-men  under  Dr. 
Brooks  was  the  first  company  formed.  He  also  stated  that  the  com- 
pany was  accustomed  to  meet  in  the  kitchen  of  his  house  (where  Mr. 
Grouard  now  resides)  for  drill  in  the  use  of  their  muskets,  and  that 
the  abrasion  of  the  plastering  in  the  upper  parts  of  the  room,  caused 
probably  by  shouldering  their  arms,  was  then  visible.  The  marks  can 
still  be  seen  where  they  were  pointed  out  by  Mr.  Sanborn. 

The  General  was  attended  by  another  French  gentleman,  and  several 
carriages  containing  other  distinguished  parties.  Rev.  William  Wake- 
field,  then  quite  a  lad,  was  present,  and  still  retains  a  vivid  recollection 
of  the  interesting  scene. 

The  sound  of  the  guns  discharged  in  the  Lexington  fight  was  heard, 
it  is  said,  here  in  Reading.  Mr.  William  Parker,  father  of  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam Wakefield,  early  in  the  morning  heard  what  he  believed'to  be  the 
first  volley  fired  on  that  memorable  occasion.  As  he  lived  on  the  high 
land  in  the  south  part  of  this  town,  it  is  quite  probable  that  his  belief 
was  well  founded.  Capt.  John  Parker,  who  had  command  of  the  Lex- 
ington militia  and  participated  in  the  first  skirmish  with  the  British, 
was  a  son  of  Josiah,  who  was  born  in  Reading  in  1694,  who  was  son  of 
John,  born  1664,  son  of  Hananiah,  born  1638,  son  of  Thomas  Parker, 
born  1609,  who  came  from  London  1635;  was  made  freeman  1637, 
and  became  deacon  of  the  first  church  in  Reading.  Jonas  Parker, 
one  of  those  first  killed  by  the  British  on  Lexington  Common,  was  a 
cousin  of  John,  the  captain  ;  his  father  also  was  a  native  of  Reading. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  the  two  muskets  in  the  Massachusetts 
Senate  chamber,  presented  by  Rev.  Theodore  Parker,  formerly  be- 
longed to  this  Capt.  John  Parker,  one  of  which  was  used  by  him  in 
the  battle,  and  the  other  was  the  first  fire-arm  captured  in  the  war  for 
Independence.  r;.-,  a 


APPENDIX. 

It  is  impossible  to  obtain,  at  the  present  time,  full  accounts  of  the 
time  and  place  of  service  of  many  of  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution  who 
belonged  here.  The  date  of  the  death  and  the  ages  of  several  buried 
in  the  cemetery  here  are  as  follows  :  — 

NAME.  WHEN  DIED.  AGE. 

Aaron  Parker,  April  28,  1841,  84. 

John  Emerson,  Feb.  19,  1803,  72. 

Tim.  Wakefield,  Esq.,  April  19,  1849,  94. 

Wm.  Parker,  May  13,  1850,  90. 

Daniel  Damon,  Sept.  9,  1844,  87. 

Daniel  Pratt,  Sept  18,  1816,  61. 

Jeremiah  Nichols,  Feb.  12,  1813,  58. 

Lieut  Jonas  Parker,  Jan.  9,  1800,  72. 

Joseph  Boutelle,  July  4,  1840,  84. 

Lieut.  Thomas  Eaton,  June  18,  1787,  35. 

Jas.  Bancroft,  Esq.,  May  17,  1831,  92. 

Col.  Nathan  Parker,  July  30,  1815,  67. 

Thomas  Symonds,  June  31,  1836,  91. 

James  Westori,  Dec.  27,  iSn,  61. 

Capt  Abraham  Foster,  Feb.  4,  1792,  57. 

John  Bachelder,  July  31,  1846,  84. 

Joseph  Damon,  Feb.  18,  1843,  84- 

Maj.  Josiah  Barton,  April  18,  1827,  79, 

Lieut  Jonathan  Pool,  Sept  1799,  79. 

Timothy  Eaton,  Oct  27,  1822. 

Nathaniel  Eaton,  March  n,  1823. 

Joseph  Boutelle  was  in  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 

Aaron  Parker  was  in  service  at  Ticonderoga  and  West  Point.  He 
received  a  pension.  Daniel  Damon,  Joseph  Damon,  Timothy  Wake- 
field,  Daniel  Parker,  Ephraim  Pratt,  were  among  those  who  were  at 
Ticonderoga.  Daniel  Damon  was  also  at  the  taking  of  Burgoyne. 
Benjamin  Damon,  brother  of  Daniel,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  went  into 
the  service  at  Winter  Hill,  as  one  of  the  guard  over  Burgoyne's  soldiers 
during  the  winter  after  their  surrender.  He  continued  to  serve  in  the 
army  till  the  close  of  the  war. 

Capt.  Abraham  Foster  was  in  the  service  probably  for  several  years. 
A  memorandum  in  the  account  book  of  Lieut.  Joseph  Bancroft,  Aug. 
J7>  *777>  reads,  "Mr.  Haven  preached  a  sermon  from  Luke  3  :  14,  to 
Capt.  Foster  and  others  going  to  the  service."  _ 

His  daughter  Rebekah  exhibited  her  patriotism  by  running  bullets 
for  the  use  of  our  troops. 

It  appears  from  the  testimony  of  many  who  remember  the  narratives 
of  the  old  soldiers,  that  quite  a  large  number  of  the  Reading  men  were 
89  . 


706  APPENDIX. 

at  "Ti,"  as  they  called  Ticonderoga.  The  fort  there  commanded  the 
passage  into  Lake  George.  On  the  receipt  of  the  news  of  the  Battle 
of  Lexington,  Col.  Ethan  Allen  made  his  memorable  capture  of  the 
fort,  May  10,  1775.  It  was  held  by  our  forces  till  what  was  considered 
the  ignoble  surrender  of  July  5,  1777.  It  is  said  on  the  authority  of 
Capt.  Joseph  Bancroft,  who  was  there,  that  our  troops  suffered  greatly 
for  want  of  provisions.  This  indicates  that  he  must  have  been  there 
as  early  as  1776.  A  letter  written  from  there  by  Capt.  Thomas  Weeks, 
of  Hampshire  County,  in  this  State,  dated  March  28,  1777,  savs>  "  We 
live  with  the  major  in  a  good  barrack,  have  good  pork  and  beef,  good 
bread  and  peas,  and  sometimes  beans  that  grew  in  Massachusetts.  We 
have  but  few  troops,  but  expect  more  daily.  The  Indians  are  about  us. 
They  have  killed  four  men  and  taken  twenty  more  prisoners."  From 
an  abstract  of  the  mileage  of  Capt.  James  Bancroft's  company  in  Col. 
Read's  Regiment  from  Fort  Edward  to  Reading,  numbering  seventy- 
six  men,  it  appears  they  had  arrived  here  in  Reading,  Jan.  30,  1777, 
or  previously.  It  is  suggested,  as  Fort  Edward  was  near  Ticonderoga, 
that  these  men  may  have  been  those  who  had  been  at  "Ti,"  where 
they  had  previously  suffered  on  the  short  allowance  of  food,  which  it 
would  seem,  from  the  letter  of  Capt.  Weeks,  could  not  subsequently 
have  occurred. 

Capt.  Bancroft  continued  at  Cambridge  during  1775  and  '76,  and 
twice  in  the  latter  year  received  commissions  signed  by  the  Council  of 
the  Massachusetts  Bay  as  captain.  Under  date  of  Jan.  i,  1777,  he 
received  another  commission  as  Captain  in  the  8th  Mass.  Reg.  of  the 
Continental  Army,  of  which  Col.  Michael  Jackson  was  Colonel,  which 
was  at  West  Point  in  1780.  This  commission  was  given  "  By  order  of 
Congress,"  and  signed  by  John  Hancock,  President,  and  Charles 
Thomson,  Secretary.  All  these  commissions  are  still  preserved.  He 
was  at  Ticonderoga  and  at  Saratoga,  where  He  was  personally  engaged 
in  the  conflict  with  Burgoyne,  and  at  the  head  of  his  company  stormed 
the  British  works  in  the  regiment  under  the  command  of  Col.  Brooks. 
It  was  here  that  Sergeant  Joshua  Eaton  fell  mortally  wounded,  the  only 
Reading  soldier  that  was  killed  in  battle  during  the  war.  Col.  Brooks 
saw  him  fall,  and  called  Capt.  Bancroft's  attention  to  it,  saying,  "  Our 
brave  Sergeant  Eaton  is  gone."  Eaton  lived  on  the  Ivory  Murray  farm, 
near  Squire  Prescott's. 

The  following  copy  of  a  letter  from  Capt.  Bancroft  contains  many 
interesting  facts,  some  of  which  are  not  generally  known. 


APPENDIX. 


707 


"  CAMP  VALLEY  FORGE,  January  5,  1778. 

"  Dear  Sir, —  While  in  my  tent  these  cold  long  evenings,  I  often 
think  of  Reading,  and  should  think  myself  very  happy  could  I  step  in 
and  spend  a  few  hours  with  you  and  take  a  pipe  and  mug  of  cider, 
both  which  are  very  scarce  here,  and  perhaps  it  would  not  be  very  dis- 
agreeable to  you  to  hear  something  of  our  fatigues  and  dangers.  Had  I 
had  opportunity  to  write  before  I  came  from  the  northward,  I  should  liked 
to  have  written  something  particular  of  northward  affairs,  but  it  has  got 
too  old  to  write  about.  I  could  write  nothing  new.  As  we  have  had 
some  trying  times,  perhaps  you  will  ask  how  my  courage  held  out.  If 
you  should,  I  can't  say,  as  some  have  done,  that  they  have  no  fear  ;  but 
I  can  say,  I  had  not  so  much  fear  but  what  I  could  go  where  I  was 
ordered ;  and  if  it  had  been  much  worse  I  believe  I  should  have  tried 
to  go. 

We  have  a  very  good  corps  of  officers  (one  excepted).  If  the  regi- 
ment was  full  of  officers  and  soldiers  as  good  as  what  we  now  have, 
and  should  be  ordered  to  storm  Philadelphia,  I  am  apt  to  think  we 
should  make  one  bold  push  for  it  The  whole  campaign  has  been  very 
hard  and  fatiguing,  but  in  general  healthy.  I  have  not  missed  one 
tour  of  duty  since  I  joined  the  army. 

As  to  affairs  here  at  the  southward,  I  am  at  loss  what  to  write.  I 
don't  find  anything  as  I  expected.  I  believe  the  enemy's  strength  is 
greater,  and  ours  less,  than  you  imagine.  So  far  as  I  can  judge  by  the 
movements,  both  armies  are  a  little  afraid  to  engage  under  any  disad- 
vantage. There  has  been,  I  believe,  some  misconduct  this  way  among 
officers,  and  our  army,  in  most,  if  not  all  actions,  have  retreated,  though 
in  that  of  Germantown  it  is  said  they  retreated  from  victory,  and  that 
without  Gen.  Washington's  order.  I  have  often  heard  he  has  offered  a 
large  sum  to  any  that  would  inform  him  who  gave  the  orders  \  but 
since  we  arrived,  though  we  have  not  fought  much,  we  have  not  run  away 
any.  Though  the  enemy  have  threatened  to  drive  us  off,  they  have  not 
ventured  to  make  any  attack  on  us  ;  but  when  we  have  been  about  to 
attack  them,  they  incline  to  march  to  Philadelphia.  The  Battle  of  Ger- 
mantown was  before  we  came.  I  find  since  that  time  it  has  been  very 
sickly  here  among  our  officers ;  more  than  a  hundred  have  been  con- 
fined, and  some  of  them  broke,  one  of  them  a  Major-General.  The 
most  of  the  inhabitants  here  are  Friends,  or  Quakers,  who,  you  know, 
never  bear  arms.  I  believe  they  are  Tories,  which  is  no  small  damage 
to  us ;  but  being  Friends,  or  Tories,  does  not  save  them  from  being 
plundered  by  the  King's  troops  when  they  have  an  opportunity.  I  hope 


APPENDIX. 

the  enemy's  having  some  opportunity  to  plunder  will  have  the  same 
effect  here  that  it  had  last  year  in  the  Jerseys,  and  make  the  Tories 
become  good  Whigs. 

I  hope,  sir,  if  my  family  should  stand  in  need  of  your  assistance,  you 
will  be  ready  to  afford  it.  It  has  been  out  of  my  power  to  do  anything 
for  them,  even  so  much  as  to  send  home  any  money.  The  officers,  in 
general,  in  the  regiment,  have  been  obliged  to  do  without  or  borrow. 
The  army  is  at  present  a  poor  place  to  get  money.  Everything  is  so 
dear  we  are  obliged  to  spend  considerable  for  provision  or  live  very 
poorly.  I  have  been  obliged  to  give  half  a  dollar  for  one  pint  of  bread 
and  milk  ;  three  or  four  shillings  for  a  fowl ;  two  shillings  for  one 
pound  of  pork.  Spirits  are  three  or  four  dollars  a  quart,  but  I  seldom 
use  any.  Sweetening,  butter,  or  cheese,  I  have  not  had  for  near  three 
months.  I  expect  soon  to  receive  seven  or  eight  months'  pay,  when  I 
hope  to  be  able  to  send  home  some  considerable  to  my  wife.  I  hope 
the  time  will  come  when  I  shall  have  the  opportunity  of  seeing  you  and 
my  friends  at  Reading ;  but  when  that  will  be  God  only  knows.  We 
have  some  hard  trials  to  meet  yet.  If  I  should  tell  you  what  is  believed 
here,  that  the  enemy  are  more  in  numbers  than  we,  perhaps  you  would 
disbelieve  me.  The  regiments  not  being  full  is  very  great  damage  to 
the  cause.  Had  they  all  been  filled  up  I  don't  believe  Howe  would 
have  had  any  footing  in  America  at  this  time.  They  are  more  deficient 
this  way  than  with  you.  Please  to  give  my  compliments  to  Mrs.  Ban- 
croft. If  you  could  write  to  me  it  will  be  gladly  received  by 
Your  humble  servant, 

JAMES     BANCROFT." 
"  To  Mr.  Joseph  Bancroft,  Reading." 

From  a  "  Return  of  the  4th  Mass.  Brigade,  commanded  by  Col. 
Michael  Jackson,  at  West  Point,  May  27,  1780,"  found  among  the 
papers  of  Capt.  Bancroft,  it  appears  that  504  men,  rank  and  file,  con- 
stituted a  regiment.  This  4th  Brigade  was  made  up  of  three  regiments  : 
the  2d  Mass.,  Col.  Bailey ;  8th  Mass.,  Col.  Jackson,  to  which  Capt. 
Bancroft  belonged ;  gth  Mass.,  Col.  Wesson.  Two  of  the  colonels  are 
reported  absent  on  furlough.  Of  the  18  captains  only  8  are  reported 
as  present  fit  for  duty ;  2  are  on  furlough ;  3  recruiting ;  2  on  the 
staff;  2  vacancies.  The  brigade,  when  the  regiments  were  full, 
should  have  had,  rank  and  file,  1,512  men,  but  the  return  shows  a 
vacancy  of  1,140  men,  leaving  only  378  men  actually  belonging  to  it. 
Oi  these  only  162  are  reported  as  "Present  fit  for  duty";  19  present 
are  sick ;  i  is  sick  at  Boston,  3  at  Fishkill,  2  at  other  places ;  99  are 


APPENDIX. 


709 


"on  command,"  32  on  furlough,  54  on  extra  service  ;  of  this  last-named 
class  23  are  assigned  as  artificers,  8  wagoners,  i  butcher,  i  baker,  3 
foraging,  3  colliers,  2  with  Gen.  Gates  and  Heath  (the  latter  in  command 
at  West  Point),  3  in  the  country  tending  horses,  and  one  with  Col.  Kos- 
ciusko.  This  officer  superintended  the  construction  of  the  military 
works  at  West  Point,  and  at  other  places.  He  was  the  brave  and  noble 
Pole  who,  after  his  return  to  Europe,  engaged  in  the  Polish  revolution 
of  1794,  and  became  generalissimo.  It  was  of  him,  after  his  hopeless 
defeat,  that  the  poet  Campbell  wrote  the  familiar  lines,  — 

"  Hope  for  a  season  bade  the  world  farewell, 
And  Freedom  shrieked  as  Kosciusko  fell." 

Capt.  Bancroft  seems  to  have  been  intimately  acquainted  with  Gen. 
Washington,  who  spoke  of  him  as  his  "  faithful  Bancroft."  He  expected 
promotion  to  higher  official  position,  but  it  was  so  long  deferred  that 
he  finally  resigned,  and  in  1780  left  the  army  and  returned  home.  He 
was  often  employed  by  his  fellow-citizens  to  manage  their  public  inter- 
ests, and  for  many  years  he  was  an  influential  member  of  the  popular 
branch  of  the  State  government.  During  the  Shay  Rebellion,  his 
sound  judgment  and  long  experience  gave  him  an  important  influence 
over  public  measures. 

He  drew  a  pension  of  twenty  dollars  per  month  during  the  last  years 
of  his  life,  and  it  was  subsequently  increased  to  full  pay,  forty  dollars 
per  month,  and  continued  to  his  widow. 

Capt.  Bancroft,  or  as  he  was  more  generally  known  in  later  years, 
"  Squire "  Bancroft,  was  held  in  great  respect  by  all  who  kneV  him. 
When  he  left  the  army,  the  officers  of  his  regiment  accompanied  him 
to  the  line,  expressing  their  regret  at  his  resignation  ;  and  we  are  told 
by  his  grandson,  Mr.  Edmund  Eaton,  that  he  ever  afterward  spoke  of 
his  own  action  in  the  matter  with  regretful  feelings. 

He  was  once  met  in  the  night,  near  Winter  Hill,  in  Somerville,  by  a 
man  who  demanded  his  money.  As  he  was  about  to  give  it  up,  the 
man  recognized  him,  and  refused  to  take  it,  saying  he  would  not  take 
from  him  a  single  farthing.  Mr.  Bancroft  related  the  incident,  but  kept 
the  name  a  secret. 

He  was  an  excellent  marksman.  While  in  the  army,  an  eagle  was 
discovered  upon  a  tree-top  a  half  mile  away.  About  twenty  men  fired 
at  it  without  frightening  it  from  its  perch.  The  captain  brought  it  down 
at  the  first  shot.  He  preserved  some  of  the  quills  for  many  years, 
which  persons  now  living  remember  to  have  seen.  Like  many  another 
good  soldier  he  never  directly  admitted  that  he  knew  of  killing  any  of 


7io 


APPENDIX. 


the  enemy's  men,  though  he  remembered  seeing  men  fall  at  whom  he 
fired,  but  he  suggested  that  others  might  have  fired  at  the  same  object 
at  the  same  moment.  The  gun  he  used  till  the  time  of  the  battle  at 
the  taking  of  Burgoyne  was  a  poor  one.  But  at  that  time,  finding  a 
good  one  lying  on  the  battle-field,  belonging  probably  to  the  British,  he 
took  it  for  his  own  use,  and  threw  away  his  old  one. 

For  some  time  during  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  Mr.  Thomas  Sweet- 
ser  was  engaged  in  carrying  supplies  to  the  army.  When  our  troops 
were  stationed  near  Boston,  the  soldiers  suffered  for  want  of  fuel.  Mr. 
Sweetser,  with  others,  carried  wood  from  this  vicinity  for  their  relief. 
They  went  twice,  at  least,  to  the  "  North  River  "  —  Hudson  —  with  sup- 
plies for  the  army  stationed  in  its  vicinity.  On  one  of  these  journeys 
the  loading  was  powder  and  liquors.  Mr.  Caleb  Parker,  a  brother  of 
Col.  Nathan,  had  a  man  to  assist  him.  He  found  this  man  one  night 
busily  but  thoughtlessly  employed  with  his  lantern  in  close  proximity 
to  the  powder  casks.  The  suddenness  with  which  the  two  dangerous 
elements  were  put  at  a  safe  distance  apart,  was  a  caution  to  the  assistant 
that  did  not  need  a  repetition.  Mr.  Sweetser's  team  was  two  yokes  of 
oxen  and  a  horse.  On  returning  from  one  of  these  expeditions,  the 
river  was  found  to  be  open  for  a  short  distance  on  its  opposite  shore, 
and  most  of  the  company  declined  to  cross.  Mr.  Sweetser  being  anx- 
ious to  return,  went  forward  upon  the  ice,  as  far  as  he  could,  and  then 
made  his  team  swim  the  open  part,  and  safely  reached  the  other  bank. 
He  arrived  home  nearly  a  fortnight  in  advance  of  his  party.  The 
whiffle-tree  used  by  Mr.  Sweetser  on  these  occasions  is  still  preserved 
by  his  son,  Thomas  Sweetser,  Esq. 

Joseph  Bancroft  was  commissioned  2d  Lieut.,  May  6,  1776,  and  ist 
Lieut.  Aug.  20, 1777.  He  probably  spent  the  winter  of  1778  at  Winter 
Hill.  A  paper  dated  Feb.  21,  1778,  signed  by  Col.  Jacob  Gerrish,  per- 
mits him  "  to  be  absent  from  the  garrison  five  days  and  then  return." 
His  papers  and  accounts  show  that  he  was  subsequently  engaged  in 
hiring  and  paying  men  for  army  service.  Among  his  papers  is  found  a 
summary  of  statistics  pertaining  to  Reading,  taken  in  1784  by  the 
assessors.  The  whole  number  of  acres  of  land  granted  to,  or  surveyed 
for,  any  person,  is  given  by  them  as  13,290, "  not  including  150  acres  of 
land  owned  by  the  ministers  of  the  town."  The  number  of  dwelling- 
houses,  205  ;  other  buildings,  184  ;  number  of  white  inhabitants,  1,402  ; 
blacks,  12.  Another  paper  contains  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  passed 
in  1779,  requiring  each  town  to  furnish  shirts,  shoes,  and  stockings  equal 
to  one  seventh  of  the  number  of  males  in  town  above  the  age  of  16 
years.  Reading  is  required  to  furnish  58  ;  Cambridge,  56 ;  Charles- 


APPENDIX. 


711 


town,  35;  Maiden,  33;   Boston,  407;    Salem,  166 ;    Andoyer,    102; 
Worcester,  62  j  Hull,  5. 

J.  Brooks  Leathe,  Esq.,  whose  labors  have  greatly  aided  in  supplying 
the  historical  facts  and  incidents  relating  to  Reading,  has  the  original 
notice  sent  to  this  town,  written  the  day  after  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill, 
of  which  the  following  is  a  copy :  — 

IN  COM'TEE  OF  SAFETY,  CAMB.,  June  18,  1775. 
To  the  Selectmen  of  Reading  : 

Gent.,  —  You  are  desired  to  provide  provision  sufficient  for  the  militia 
of  your  town  now  here,  and  send  it  forward  to  Camb.  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Per  order, 

JONA.    HASTINGS,  Clerk. 


I. 
COPY   OF   A   LETTER 

WRITTEN   BY  COL.  (AFTERWARDS   GENERAL)  BENJAMIN   BROWN,   OF  READING, 
WHILE  HE  WAS  ABSENT  IN  THE  ARMY,  ADDRESSED  TO  HIS  WIFE.* 

"TlCONDEROGA,   Aug.  31,  1776. 

"My  dear  Spous, —  I  received  yours,  dated  Aug.  15,  with  no  small 
(satisfaction?)  —  which  was  in  ten  days  after  the  date,  in  which  you 
Express  your  Ernest  desire  that  I  may  enjoy  the  light  of  God's  coun- 
tenance in  a  distant  land.  Truly,  a  distant  land  it  is,  but  nevertheless, 
there  is  such  a  din  and  noise  and  company  that  I  am  almost  a  stranger 
to  retirement.  I  can  enjoy  no  other  religious  exercise  then  ejacula- 
tory,  excepting  morning  and  evening  Public  Prayers,  and  on  the  Sab- 
bath a  sermon  or  two  by  Mr.  Emerson  of  Concord  and  Mr.  Hitchcock 
of  Beverly,  —  very  agreeable  gentlemen.  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  are 
calm  and  resigned  to  your  lonesome  lot,  and  yet  not  alone,  but  enjoy 
the  Comforter  ;  may  his  presence  attend  you  in  this  dark  world,  until 
you  arrive  to  eternal  day.  It  gives  me  unspeakable  satisfaction  to  hear 
that  peace  and  harmony  is  householder  in  my  family ;  and  that  the 
morning  and  evening  sacrifice  is  constantly  ascending  to  heaven,  by  the 
mouth  of  my  well  beloved  son,  in  its  stated  seasons.  May  the  best  of 
heaven's  blessing  rest  on  you  and  all  my  family  and  friends,  til  I  return 
or  am  gathered  to  my  people  in  peace  with  God  and  my  own  con- 
science. 

You  tell  me  you  have  purchased  some  Hemlock  bark ;  I  am  glad  to 

*  It  is  copied  verbatim  et  literatim. 


APPENDIX. 

hear  it,  and  hope  that  the  tanning  and  currying  may  be  done  well  and 
seasonably,  which  will  greatly  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  family. 
You  may  send  word  to  Mr.  Nathan  Newhall  that  his  son  is  well  and 
looks  hearty.  I  told  him  his  mother  was  concerned  for  him  ;  he 
smiled  and  passed  by  me.  I  understand  by  you  that  the  little  General 
(referring  probably  to  an  infant  son,  then  about  ten  months  old,  who 
was  named  for  Gen.  Joseph  Warren)  is  your  bedfellow ;  I  hope  you 
will  norish  him  and  make  a  fine  fellow  of  him,  til  I  return  and  take 
part  of  your  soft  bed,  with  him  and  you ;  for  the  softest  bed  I  have  is 
boards,  and  sometimes  hemlock  boughs.  Through  divine  goodness,  1 
am  now  in  good  health,  but  want  many  things,  which  I  used  to  enjoy, 
viz. :  Cider,  and  sauce  and  butter,  if  you  please ;  I  have  had  but  one 
drink  of  Cider  since  I  came  to  this  place.  I  think  I  am  tolerably  re- 
spected,—  have  dined  with  Gen.  Gates  several  times,  and  have  been 
swore  at  by  him,  as  many ;  but  no  bones  broken  at  present.  I  have 
often  to  go  on  fatigue,  commanding  three  or  four  hundred  men,  who  are 
fortyfying  the  place ;  but  we  have  been  retarded  from  the  work,  from 
Monday  last  to  Thursday  afternoon,  on  account  of  rainy  weather.  We 
have  seen  nothing  of  the  enemy,  nor  hear  their  sittuation,  since  I  have 
been  in  this  place,  so  as  to  be  depended  upon.  Gen.  Gates  tells  me  he 
expects  a  -warm  attack  from  Burgoyne  ;  —  that  soon.  I  hope  we  shall 
be  ready  to  give  them  a  warm  reception.  I  see  no  fear  or  intimidation 
in  the  camp.  I  understand  we  are  going  to  be  joined  by  Col.  Phinis 
and  Whitcom's  regiments  from  Boston.  A  number  of  our  friends  are 
taken  with  the  Small  Pox,  and  a  number  of  others  have  colds  and  fever 
and  ague.  As  to  the  Geography  of  this  place,  where  I  now  am  en- 
campt  it  is  surrounded  by  water,  except  the  Norwest  part ;  and  there  is 
redoubts  and  brest  works  to  defend  that  part,  it  being  the  place  where 

many  of  the  bones  of  our lay  above  ground  to  this  day,  that  were 

slain  in  the  year  176(9). 

I  have  left  my  tent  at  present  and  live  in  the  fort  with  Mr.  John 
(Winzer)  Paymaster,  who  treats  me  very  corteous.  My  sincere  duty  to 
my  honored  mother,  and  love  to  all  my  children,  kind  respects  to  my 
Brothers  and  Sisters  and  all  friends ;  in  particular,  Mr.  Prentice,  Doct. 
Swain,  and  that  brother  Bachellor,  brother  Emerson,  Peter  Emerson, 
John  Pratt,  Mr.  (Bachellor),  Wm.  Gould,  Samuel  Poole,  Capt.  Good- 
win, Thomas  Damon  and  their  Spouses  ;  and  let  them  know  that  a  line 
from  either  of  them  would  be  very  acceptable. 

James  (probably  James  Wiley,  his  wife's  son  by  a  former  husband) 
has  been  very  poor  (ly?)  for  sum  days,  but  is  on  the  mending  hand. 
By  what  I  can  learn  from  those  that  have  the  Small  Pox,  they  are 


APPENDIX. 

mostly  like  to  recover.  Those  from  Reading  that  have  it  is  Ephraim 
Pratt,  Kemble  (Kendall?)  Emerson,  and  poor  old  (Clafter?).  We  are 
in  great  danger  of  it ;  but  no  enoculation  is  allowed  of.  When  we  find 
any  break  out,  we  send  them  off  immediately  to  fort  George,  which  is 
30  miles  distant.  Give  my  kind  respects  to  Mr.  Nutting  and  his  Spous, 
and  tell  them  that  (J.  )  is  well ;  and  also  tell  Mr.  Carter  that  his  son 
Benja.  is  neighbor  to  me  and  is  in  good  health  and  wants  to  come 
home.  My  dear  Spous,  —  I  often  think  on  you  with  pleasure  and  de- 
light, and  flatter  myself  I  shall  once  more  imbrace  you  in  my  affection- 
ate arms,  in  some  cold  night  next  winter,  when  I  shall  be  willing  to 
relate  to  you  the  hardships  I  have  endured  in  this  campaign,  which  will 
sweeten  our  innocent  imbraces  and  heighten  our  matrimonial  delights, 
at  which  happy  circumstance,  let  our  brests  not  only  glow  with  gladness, 
but  with  treu  thankfulness  to  our  kind  and  beneficent  Preserver,  but  if 
otherwise,  be  content  with  the  will  of  heaven,  rather  than  I  should  flee 
my  colors,  and  fall  into  the  lowest  contempt';  especially  when  I  am 
engaged  in  so  noble  and  good  a  cause.  I  write  no  more  at  this  time, 
but  take  the  liberty  to  subscribe  myself  your  effectionate  husband  till 

Death, 

"BENJA.    BROWN. 

"  N.  B.     This  is  the  fourth  letter  I  have  sent  to  you,  and  when  you 

write  to  me  again,  be  so  obliging  as  to  put  your  name  to  it. 

'•B.  B." 


J. 

Capt.  James  Bancroft,  of  the  third  parish  in  Reading,  had  the  repu- 
tation of  being  a  prompt,  brave,  and  able  officer  while  in  the  army.  He 
commanded  a  company  in  the  regiment  commanded  by  Col.  John  Brooks. 
When  Col.  Brooks  was  elected  Governor,  on  the  day  of  Inauguration, 
in  18 1 6,.  Capt.  Bancroft,  then  77  years  old,  went  down  to  witness  the 
ceremony ;  and  on  his  way  through  Medford,  passing  the  house  of  the 
Governor  elect,  the  Governor,  while  at  breakfast,  saw  him  passing  with 
his  cocked  hat  and  long  cane,  and  sent  out  and  invited  him  in  to  take 
a  cup  of  coffee.  The  Governor  then  said  to  him,  "  There  is  no  man  liv- 
ing I  am  more  glad  to  see  on  this  occasion  than  yourself."  To  whom 
the  Capt.  replied :  "  There  is  no  one,  Col.  Brooks,  who  rejoices  in  it  more 
than  I  do.  I  breakfasted  in  Reading,  and  came  down  on  purpose  to  wit- 
ness the  ceremonies  of  the  occasion.  The  choice  of  Governor  which  the 
people  have  made  delights  my  heart.  If  you  make  as  good  Governor 
90 


APPENDIX. 

as  you  did  Colonel  of  a  Regiment,  I  shall  be  satisfied."  Tears  flowed 
down  the  cheeks  of  both  of  them  as  they  clasped  each  other's  hands. 

Gov.  Brooks  explained  afterwards  why  the  meeting  was  so  affecting : 
said  he,  "  On  the  day  of  the  last  battle  with  Gen.  Burgoyne  (Oct.  7)  I 
was  dining  with  Generals  Gates  and  Arnold.  .  Firing  commenced.  I 
went  in,  commanding  the  8th  or  Jackson  Regiment.  After  the  dis- 
charge of  the  enemy's  volley,  a  company  on  the  left  flank  went  suddenly 
down.  I  thought  the  volley  had  shot  them  all  down,  and  I  rode  to  the 
extreme  left  in  great  haste,  to  ascertain  what  was  the  matter.  I  was 
greatly  agitated,  and  there  met  Capt.  Bancroft,  who  commanded  the 
left  wing.  He  also  had  quit  his  place  to  see  what  disaster  had  occurred. 
At  this  moment  the  company  all  rose  up  and  we  were  relieved  from 
our  apprehensions.  I  was  yet  however  greatly  agitated,  and  speaking 
sharply  to  Capt.  Bancroft,  said,  '  What  business  have  you  here,  Sir  ? ' 
The  Captain  said,  '  I  came  out  to  see  what  had  happened  to  the  com- 
pany on  the  left.'  I  then  said,  'You  are  out  of  your  place,  Sir.' 
With  the  submissive  spirit  of  the  good  soldier,  the  Captain  replied,  '  I 
am  ready  to  obey  your  orders,  Colonel.'  With  great  perturbation,  I 
responded,  '  My  orders  are  that  you  advance  and  enter  those  lines, 
Sir.'  The  Captain  smarting  under  the  reproof,  quickly  gave  the  word, 
'  Come  on,  my  boys,  and  enter  that  fort ! '  (Breyman's  Fort.)  Then 
leading  the  way  himself,  he  made  a  rapid  movement  forward,  and  the 
whole  company  ascended  the  parapet.  Surprised  at  the  suddenness 
of  the  assault,  the  enemy  retired  from  the  fort,  and  the  whole  regiment 
entered  it." 

Capt.  Bancroft's  wife  (who  was  Sarah  Pierson)  was  a  lady  of  intelli- 
gence, education,  and  piety. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  written  by  her  to  her  husband 
while  he  was  in  the  army  may  be  interesting,  to  her  descendants  at 
least: — 

"  My  Dear,  we  received  yours,  in  which  you  mention  the  capture  of 
Lt.  Gen.  Burgoyne.  We  congratulate  you,  Sir,  upon  the  large  success, 
in  which  your  Regiment  was  distinguished  for  their  valor  and  conduct. 

Dr.  Hay  desires  especially  to  present  his  compliments  of  congratula- 
tion upon  the  great  success  attending  the  American  arms,  under  Gen. 
Gates,  in  which  you  had  an  active  part. 

The  children  all  present  their  duty  and  express  their  joy  to  learn 
that  you  endure  the  fatigues  of  war  with  so  much  spirit  and  so  little 
prejudice  to  your  health.  As  you  take  a  particular  concern  for  your 
domestic  affairs,  we  have  the  satisfaction  to  acquaint  you  that  the  crop 
of  corn  turned  out  remarkably  well.  We  have  cider  enough  for  our 


APPENDIX. 


715 


family,  and  our  work  goes  on  well.  Gen.  Burgoyne's  officers  are  quar- 
tered principally  in  Cambridge, — the  men  on  Prospect  Hill,  the  Ger- 
man troops  upon  Winter  Hill.  All  your  friends  desire  their  respects 
may  be  given  you,  and  that  you  would  embrace  every  opportunity  to 
acquaint  us  with  the  situation  of  the  army. 

No  more  at  present  to  add,  but  an  earnest  desire  that  you  may  pros- 
per in  arms  as  long  as  your  country  shall  require. 

Honor  ever  be  the  concomitant  of  your  actions ;  and  in  due  time 
you  be  returned  to  your  loving  family  in  health  and  laden  with  divine 
mercy. 

I  remain  your  loving  wife, 

SARAH   BANCROFT." 
READING,  Dec.  18,  1777. 


K. 

NAMES  OF  SOME  OF  THE  PERSONS  BELONGING  TO  BOSTON   AND 

CHARLESTOWN,  WHO  WERE  RELIEVED  AND  ASSISTED 

AT  READING  BY  THE  TOWN,  IN  1775. 

These  people  were  called  "  Donation  People." 

Margaret  Bodge,  aged  35,  of  Charlestown. 

Samuel  Bodge,        "       6,  " 

Henry  Bodge,          "       4,  " 

David  Bodge,          "       2,  "  " 

Vietta  Blair,  " 

Jonathan  Carey,      "     76,  "  " 

Sarah  Carey,  his  wife,  aged  76,  of  Charlestown. 

John  Carey, 

Mrs.  Coverly,  " 

Sarah  Capen,  aged  63, 

John  Doak,  of  Boston. 

Hannah  Doak,  his  wife,  of  Boston. 

Two  Doak  children,         "        " 

Sarah  Edes,  aged  45,  of  Charlestown. 

Grace  Edes,      "     16,  "  " 

Jonathan  Edes, "     14,  "  " 

Hulda  Edes,      "       8,  « 

Abigail  Edes,    "       7,  " 

David  Edmands,  "  " 

Mary  Fosdick,  "  " 


7i6 


APPENDIX. 


Mary  Fillebrown,          of     Boston. 

Elizabeth  Hiler, 

Thomas  Jarvis,  "  Charlestown. 

Mary  Kella,  aged  58,     "  " 

Ebenezer  Leman  (a  cripple),  aged  44,  of  Charlestown. 

Elizabeth  Leman  (his  wife),       "  36,  "  " 

Four  Leman  children  (8,  6,  4,  2),  " 

Abiah  Larkin,  aged  22,  " 

Ann  Larkin,  "  3,  " 

Thomas  Larkin,  "  i£,  " 

Elizabeth  Orr,  "  37,  " 

Jane  Orr,  "  16,  " 

Elizabeth  Orr,  "  n,  "  " 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Osborn,  "  " 

Jane  Page,  "  " 

Mrs.  Pool,  wife  of  Benja.,  "        Boston. 

Stephen  Pierce,  "  71,  "  Charlestown. 

His  daughter,  "  45,  "  " 

Ann  Rand,  "  53,  " 

Thomas  Sargent, 

Ann  Shepard,  "  33,  " 

Thos.  Shepard,  "  9,  " 

Anna  Shepard,  "  5,  "  « 

Asa  Shepard,  "  3,  " 

Elias  Stone  (Paralytic),  "  67,  " 

Wm.  Stone,  "  12,  "  " 

Bethiah  Stone,  "  8,  "  " 

Samuel  Stone,  "  6,  "  " 

Anna  Symmes  (blind  and  deaf),  "  64,  "  " 

Mrs.  Tree,  " 

Mrs.  Way,  "  " 

Sarah  Widdefield,  "  39,  "  « 

Children  of  do. ;  Sarah,  aged  10 ;  John,  9  ;  Hugh,  7. 


COPY  OF  LETTER  FROM  DR.   SAMUEL  HART. 

"  My  father,  Dr.  John  Hart,  was  born  in  Ipswich,  Mass.  Octr.  23rd, 
1851.  His  father,  John  Hart,  was  a  lawyer;  and  our  paternal  ances- 
try, as  nearly  as  I  can  trace  it,  emigrated  to  this  country  and  settled  in 


APPENDIX. 


717 


Ipswich  as  early  as  1636.     His  mother  I  believe  was  also  a  native  of 
Ipswich ;  her  maiden  name  was  Mary  Knowlton. 

"Of  my  father's  boyhood,  I  know  but  little.  Educational  advantages, 
in  that  period  of  our  Country's  history,  were  far  less  generally  extended 
than  now.  But  we  record  it  to  the  honor  of  the  early  settlers  of  New 
England,  that  having  established  themselves  upon  the  soil,  and  having 
escaped  from  the  persecutions  and  narrow  bigotries  of  the  Old  World, 
they  consecrated  their  adopted  country  to  Religion,  Education,  and 
Human  Liberty.  Harvard  University  was  established  in  1636,  sixteen 
years  only  after  the  Landing  on  Plymouth  Rock.  Dear  New  England, 
how  I  love  and  honor  you !  even  your  stony  hills  I  esteem  and  vener- 
ate. And  my  native  town,  the  place  of  my  family  sepulchres,  and  its 
inhabitants,  I  love  and  regard  more  than  any  other  locality  on  earth. 

"  My  father  must  have  Enjoyed  a  good  share  of  educational  opportu- 
nities, and  acquired  some  knowledge  of  languages,  particularly  Latin, 
which  is  indispensable  to  entering  upon  the  study  of  a  scientific  pro- 
fession. At  the  age  of  fourteen,  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  John 
Califf,  an  eminent  physician,  who  had  enjoyed  all  the  advantages  of 
medical  education  in  England,  came  to  this  country,  and  settled  in 
Ipswich.  This  gave  him  rare  advantages,  for  in  those  days,  Medical 
Colleges  and  Schools  had  no  existence  in  the  Colonies.  At  the  age  of 
nineteen,  Dr.  C.  pronounced  him  qualified  to  enter  upon  the  arduous 
duties  and  formidable  responsibilities  of  practical  life.  His  extreme 
youth  led  him  to  conclude  that  no  one  who  knew  him  would  intrust 
themselves  to  his  care  ;  and  he  went  to  Maine,  then  a  District  of  Mass., 
and  settled  in  Georgetown,  now  Bath.  Possessed  of  an  active  mind, 
indomitable  energy,  and  untiring,  persevering  zeal,  he  there  received, 
boy-physician  as  he  was,  a  respectable  share  of  patronage  and  success. 

"  When  it  became  evident  that  the  misunderstanding  between  the 
Colonies  and  the  home  government  could  only  be  decided  by  an  appeal 
to  the  sword,  my  father  returned  to  Mass.,  received  a  commission  of 
Surgeon  in  the  Army,  and  joined  Col.  Prescott's  regiment  in  Cam- 
bridge. This  Col.  Prescott  was  a  m?n  distinguished  for  bravery,  courage, 
and  military  skill.  I  have  heard  my  father  speak  of  his  activity  and 
influence  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  over  the  minds  of  the  Soldiers ; 
he  wore  a  long  frock  coat,  and  seemed,  with  his  sword  flying,  to  be  in 
every  part  of  the  line  almost  at  the  same  instant,  imparting  to  them 
his  own  fearless  activity  and  courage.  After  the  enemy  obtained  pos- 
session of  the  Hill,  the  inquiry  was  made,  who  that  d — d  Ban  Yan  fel- 
low was,  alluding  to  Prescott,  saying  that  his  activity  had  cost  them  a 


APPENDIX. 

great  deal  of  British  blood.  He  was  grandfather  of  the  late  historian 
Prescott,  who  has  contributed  so  largely  to  elevate  the  character  of 
the  historians  of  our  country  abroad. 

"  After  the  evacuation  of  Boston  by  the  British  troops  in  1776,  he 
accompanied  Col.  Prescott's  Regiment  to  New  York,  and  was  sta- 
tioned on  Staten  Island,  until  the  enemy  took  possession  of  Long 
Island,  and  was  then  driven  to  the  Highlands.  Many  mementos  of 
the  fierce  struggle  for  the  possession  of  Long  Island  now  exist  in 
Brooklyn,  the  city  of  my  adoption.  Tradition  points  out  the  house 
which  Gen.  Washington  occupied  while  our  army  was  stationed  in 
Brooklyn  :  it  is  a  small  building  of  brick  and  stone,  dilapidated  and 
unoccupied,  standing  on  the  corner  of  Fifth  Avenue  and  Third  Street, 
and  was  erected  in  1696.  This  is  now  being  removed  to  give  place  to 
a  modern  block  of  buildings.  * 

"  At  this  time  Col.  Prescott's  Regiment  was  disbanded  ;  and  my 
father  was  appointed  Surgeon  of  the  2d  Mass.  Regiment,  and  continued 
this  connection  with  it  to  the  close  of  the  war  in  1783.  This  regiment 
was  commanded  by  Col.  John  Bailey. 

"During  the  whole  war  my  father  was  in  active  service.  I  heard 
him  say  that  he  accompanied  his  regirtient  in  every  battle,  attended  by 
his  Assistant  Surgeon,  provided  with  instruments,  bandages,  and  every 
appliance  necessary  for  smaller  operations,  and  for  the  dressing  of  such 
wounds  as  could  properly  be  done  on  the  field.  I  am  now  happily  in 
possession  of  two  cases  of  instruments  he  thus  appropriated,  and  prize 
them  highly  as  revolutionary  relics. 

"  I  am  unable  to  furnish  the  date  or  the  locality  of  some  of  the  inci- 
dents and  events  of  interest  I  have  heard  him  relate,  and  in  which  he 
participated ;  some  of  which  I  have  never  seen  recorded  in  history. 
The  ruse  by  which  Gen.  Arnold  (afterwards  the  Arch  Traitor)  suc- 
ceeded in  raising  the  siege  of  Fort  Schuyler,  often  called  Fort  Stan- 
wix,  I  have  heard  him  relate  more  particularly  than  any  account  I  have 
seen  of  it,  except  as  related  by  Col.  Stone  in  his  Life  of  Brant.  This 
Brant  was  a  Mohawk  Indian  and  chief  Sachem  of  the  Six  Nations  ;  was 
educated  at  Dartmouth  College,  and  was  the  master-spirit  of  the  Indian 
expeditions  into  the  Valley  of  the  Mohawk  and  other  points  during  the 
revolutionary  struggle.  Col.  Willett,  accompanied  by  Major  Stockwell, 
in  the  night  of  the  loth  of  August,  1777,  escaped  from  the  fort,  success- 
fully eluded  the  besieging  forces  of  British  and  Indians,  and  gave  notice 
of  the  straitened  condition  of  the  Garrison.  Gen.  Schuyler  ordered 
Gens.  Arnold  and  Larned  with  the  Massachusetts  Brigade,  which  were 
joined  by  some  New  York  troops,  to  advance  to  the  relief  of  the  fort. 


APPENDIX. 

Gen.  Herkimer  had  previously,  with  the  militia  under  his  command, 
marched  to  its  relief,  had  fallen  into  an  ambush,  his  army  severely 
handled,  himself  wounded,  and  subsequently  died  of  his  wounds. 
Gen.  Arnold  commanded  the  expedition  ;  fearing  his  force  insufficient 
to  raise  the  siege,  he  adopted  the  following  stratagem.  At  Fort  Dayton, 
Arnold  found  a  strange  being,  Hon  Yost  Schuyler,  who  seemed  little 
above  an  idiot,  yet  somewhat  shrewd,  under*  sentence  of  death  for 
treason.  His.  mother  and  brother  begged  the  Gen.  to  spare  his  life. 
This  he  consented  to  do,  on  condition  that  he  would  perform  a  certain 
act,  which  he  required  of  him  ;  and  in  case  of  failure  his  brother 
should  be  executed  in  his  stead.  This  was  agreed  to,  and  his  brother 
put  in  prison.  Hon  Yost,  having  had  several  balls  shot  through  his 
clothes,  was  dispatched  to  the  camp  of  St.  Leger,  and  fulfilled  his  part 
of  the  contract  faithfully.  He  was  to  state  to  that  officer,  that  Gen. 
Arnold  was  at  Fort  Dayton,  with  two  thousand  troops  and  several 
pieces  of  Cannon,  and  was  to  commence  his  march  at  daylight  the 
next  morning,  to  attack  the  besieging  army.  In  proof  of  this,  he  stated 
that  he  was  on  his  way  to  the  gallows  to  be  hanged  as  a  traitor ;  but 
not  being  closely  guarded,  he  thought  he  might  as  well  be  shot  as 
hanged ;  that  he  ran,  was  fired  upon,  and  showed  the  holes  in  his 
clothes  as  evidence  of  its  truth.  At  the  same  time,  an  Oneida  Indian 
entered  the  Indian  camp,  giving  mysterious  hints  of  an  immense  army 
advancing  upon  them.  This  had  the  intended  effect.  Arnold,  upon 
the  supposition  that  it  would  put  the  besieging  army  to  the  rout,  com- 
menced his  march  ;  and  when  he  reached  the  fort,  found  the  enemy 
had  fled,  leaving  behind  their  tents,  a  great  part  of  their  artillery,  camp 
equipage,  and  baggage.  This  was  achieved  by  Benedict  Arnold,  after- 
wards the  prince  of  traitors.  My  father  always  entertained  the  opin- 
ion, that  this  success  essentially  aided  in  the  capture  of  Burgoyne's 
army  at  Saratoga  the  following  October.  He  also  related  that  when 
Washington  fully  ascertained  the  treason  and  escape  of  Arnold,  he 
said  at  the  table,  addressed  to  all  present,  that  he  always  felt  averse  to 
appointing  to  an  important  position  any  one  who  was  dissipated,  un- 
principled, or  reckless ;  that  he  knew  Arnold  to  be  such,  a  spendthrift 
and  a  high  liver,  but  that  the  ability,  activity,  success,  and  seeming 
patriotism  he  had  displayed  in  the  war  had  been  such  as  to  secure  him 
from  any  such  terrible,  deliberate  conduct ;  and  that  in  future  no  such 
character  would  receive  any  appointment  from  him.  My  father  men- 
tioned a  stunning  rebuke  Arnold  afterwards  received  from  a  soldier, 
who  accompanied  a  flag  to  the  British  Commander  in  New  York. 
Arnold  was  present,  and,  supposing  himself  unknown  to  the  soldier, 


720 


APPENDIX. 


inquired  of  him  what  was  said  of  Gen.  Arnold  in  the  American  camp. 
The  soldier  recognized  him,  and  replied, '  Sir,  they  say  in  the  American 
camp  that,  could  they  get  Gen.  Arnold,  they  would  hang  him  till  he 
was  rotten  ;  but  the  leg  which  was  wounded  in  their  service,  they  would 
bury  with  all  the  honors  of  war. '  The  sacrifice  of  poor  Andre  was  the  result 
of  Arnold's  treason.  Gen.  Washington  appointed  forty-one  Officers  to 
attend  his  execution  ;  my  father  was  one  of  them.  I  have  heard  him 
say,  it  was  the  most  awful  scene  he  ever  witnessed.  Major  Andre"  de- 
sired to  be  shot.  When  the  procession  reached  the  gallows,  and  the 
truth  flashed  upon  him,  he  said  to  the  officer  who  had  him  in  charge, 
'  You  ought  to  have  told  me  of  this  before.'  After  the  rope  was  adjusted, 
he  was  asked  if  he  wished  to  say  anything ;  he  raised  the  cap,  looked  upon 
all  with  a  pleasant  smile,  and  said, '  Nothing  more  than  this,  gentlemen  : 
in  a  few  moments  I  shall  know  more  than  you  all.'  All  present  were 
affected  to  tears.  He  was  a  noble  and  accomplished  young  officer ;  but 
this  sacrifice  of  him  was  regarded  as  indispensable  to  the  salvation  of 
the  American  cause.  I  believe,  my  father  participated  in  almost  every 
important  battle  during  the  war ;  and  interesting  incidents  of  many  of 
them  I  have  heard  him  relate.  But  they  are  the  record  of  history  with 
which  your  readers  are  familiar,  and  in  this  sketch  I  have  designed  to 
state  only  those  which  are  not  so  generally  known.  He  frequently 
remarked,  that  after  the  Battle  of  Monmouth,  N.  J.,  June  28,  1778,  he 
suffered  discomforts  from  high  temperature  that  he  never  experienced 
before ;  that  the  heat  that  day  was  intense  ;  and  that  he  saw  many 
British  soldiers  lying  dead  at  brooks  and  creeks  from  the  severity  of  the 
heat  and  from  unwisely  satisfying  intense  thirst. 

"  On  one  occasion,  Gen.  Washington  appointed  my  father  to  go  to 
Boston,  and  bring  to  him  three  thousand  dollars  in  Gold,  which  was 
deposited  there  for  his  special  use.  The  journey  was  hazardous,  and 
must  necessarily  be  performed  on  horseback.  He  packed  it  in  a  valise, 
at  every  stopping-place  took  it  into  the  house  with  him,  every  night 
put  it  under  his  pillow,  piled  chairs,  &c.,  against  the  doors  and  windows 
of  the  room,  cocked  his  pistols,  laid  them  in  a  chair  at  the  head  of  his 
bed,  and  his  drawn  sword  beside  them ;  slept  soundly  till  morning ; 
and  returned  to  the  camp  with  it  in  safety.  At  what  period  of  the  war,  or 
where  the  army  was  at  thisstime  encamped,  I  do  not  recollect  to  have 
heard  him  say.  He  enjoyed  some  intimacy  with  the  Commander  in 
Chief,  and  I  have  seen  notes  inviting  him  to  Washington's  table.  In- 
deed, it  was  his  habit  to  invite  all  the  officers  of  the  Army  in  turn  to 
his  table. 

"  At  the  close  of  the  war  in'  1783,  my  father  was  appointed  to  a  regi- 


APPENDIX. 


721 


ment  under  the  command  of  Col.  Henry  Jackson,  and  was  not  dis- 
charged till  July,  1784.  Our  family  are  in  possession  of  many  letters 
he  wrote  to  my  mother,  dated  at  West  Point,  during  this  period,  from 
which  it  seems  he  was  the  principal  surgeon  there,  and  which  we  highly 
prize. 

"  My  Grandmother,  a  lady  highly  intellectual  and  social,  and  with 
whom  my  earliest  recollections  are  associated,  was  very  proud  of  her 
son  ;  and  in  my  childhood  often  told  me  of  his  personal,  manly  beauty 
and  gracefulness.  She  said,  that  when  he  first  came  to  Ipswich,  after 
he  entered  the  army,  he  went  to  meeting  and  wore  his  military  dress, 
(that  an  officer's  uniform  was  then  much  more  showy  than  when  she  re- 
lated it),  and  that  this  and  his  handsome  person,  it  was  said,  captivated 
a  great  many  young  ladies'  hearts.  If  this  be  so,  it  only  proves  that 
young  ladies  in  those  days,  as  truly  as  since,  were  attracted  by  a  sword 
knot,  a  sash,  and  a  feather.  She  died  suddenly  at  my  father's  residence, 
in  July,  1812,  in  the  ninetieth  year  of  her  age. 

"  My  father  married  Miss  Mary  Gould,  only  child  and  .daughter  of 
Capt.  Abraham  Gould,  of  Stoneham.  I  can  find  no  record  of  its  date, 
but  presume  it  took  place  in  the  year  1777.  She  was  born  May  i, 
1753.  Her  father  commanded  a  company  in  a  body  of  troops  raised 
for  a  limited  period  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  at  the  close  of  this 
period  retired  from  the  army.  When  a  boy,  I  often  played  with  a  cannon 
ball  which  was  fired  at  him  during  his  service  in  the  army  ;  he  was  riding 
alone  at  a  distance  from  a  British  encampment,  and  being  discovered 
by  his  uniform  to  be  an  American  officer,  this  ball  was  aimed  at  him,  it 
passed  him,  and  fell  in  the  road ;  onr  caching  it  he  dismounted  and  put 
in  his  pocket.  This  ball,  I  regret  to  say,  is  now  lost. 

"  This  union  was  a  long  and  happy  one,  extending  to  nearly  or  quite 
sixty  years.  They  survived  six  of  their  nine  children.  My  mother,  of 
precious,  blessed  memory,  was  a  kind,  gentle,  affectionate  parent ;  she 
faithfully  trained  us  all  up  in  the  way  we  should  go,  daily  led  us  all  to 
the  throne  of  grace,  and  we  all  have  risen  up  and  called  her  blessed. 
To  others,  she  was  kind  and  benevolent,  and  truly  sought  the  good  of 
all ;  always  diffident  and  retiring,  a  true  follower  of  Him  who  went  about 
doing  good.  She  died  Novem"  15,  1838. 

"After  my  father  was  relieved  from  the  a'rmy  in  July,  1784,  he  settled 
in  Reading,  now  South  Reading,  purchased  his  residence  near  the  north 
end,  and  in  front  of  Smith's  Pond ;  but  which  in  these  refined  days  is 
called,  perhaps,  by  the  more  classic  name,  Crystal  Lake.  Well,  be  it 
so  ;  locomotive  momentum  is  the  watchword  of  our  day.  Here  he 
resided  some  fifty  years,  until  his  death,  May  27,  1836.  Those  lofty 


722 


APPENDIX. 


elms,  one  of  which  now  stands,  spreading  its  long  branches  over  the 
spot  where  his  dwelling  once  stood,  were  planted  and  reared  by  his 
own  hands. 

"  He  was  the  firm  friend  and  liberal  supporter  of  religious,  educational, 
and  benevolent  institutions,  and  contributed  freely  to  sustain  them. 
He  conscientiously  embraced  the  faith  of  the  Puritans,  but  was  not 
sectarian  in  his  opinions. 

"He  was  warmly  attached  to  the  principles  of  the  Revolution,  and 
regarded  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati  -well  suited  to  keep  alive  and 
perpetuate  those  principles.  I  believe  he  was  never  absent  from  one  of 
its  meetings,  and  filled  some  office  in  the  Society  from  my  earliest  recol- 
lection, and  until  his  death.  As  his  only  surviving  son,  I  became  his 
successor,  and  can  well  appreciate  the  reasons  of  his  great  attachment 
and  interest  in  it.  With  this  attachment  and  interest  I  perfectly  har- 
monize. 

"The  active  part  he  took  in  the  revolutionary  struggle  gave  him 
strong  political  opinions  ;  these  were  purely  republican,  and  this  interest 
in  public  affairs  continued  through  life.  He  was  elected  eight  times  to 
the  House  of  Representatives,  and  five  times  to  the  Senate  of  Massa- 
chusetts. He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  of  the  quorum,  and  also 
of  the  Court  of  Sessions. 

"  I  feel  a  delicacy  in  speaking  of  my  father's  professional  life,  but  can- 
not well  avoid  such  an  allusion.  He  must  have  been  a  practising  phy- 
sician some  sixty-five  years,  and  few  medical  men  have  lived,  who  have 
performed  so  large  an  amount  of  business  as  he  has  done.  He  was  a 
close  observer  of  disease,  and  the  effects  of  remedial  agents  ;  and  pred- 
icated his  treatment  mainly  upon  his  own  observation  and  experience, 
though  a  constant  reader  of  Medical  Literature.  My  own  experience 
corroborates  their  accuracy,  and  even  at  this  period  of  my  professional 
life,  I,  or  rather  my  patients,  derive  essential  benefit  from  them.  He 
thought  highly  of  medical  associations,  as  adapted,  by  an  interchange 
of  experiences  and  observations  among  the  members,  to  enlarge  the 
sphere  of  knowledge,  and  increase  their  practical  usefulness.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Middlesex  Association,  which  was  organized  in  1790, 
and  a  Fellow  of  the  Massachusetts  Medical  Society,  of  which  lie  was 
many  years  a  Councillor.  He  regarded  the  Medical  a  Scientific  pro- 
fession, as  it  truly  is,  and  sternly  frowned  upon  every  thing  dishonor- 
able or  empirical. 

"  In  this  sketch  I  have  said  nothing  of  myself,  or  of  my  three  broth- 
ers and  five  sisters ;  you  know  their  history,  and  for  the  most  part  my 
own.  My  life  has  been  an  active  one;  it  has  «ver  been  my  aim  to 


APPENDIX. 


723 


make  my  life  practical  and  useful,  and  have  received  an  ample  share  of 
professional  patronage.  I  have  never  aspired  to  professional  honors 
and  distinctions,  but  have  received  a  larger  share  of  them  than  my 
humble  merits  deserved.  I  am  a  member  of  the  American  Medical 
Association,  the  Massachusetts  and  New  York  State  Medical  Socie- 
ties, of  three  other  Medical  Societies,  and  two  other  Medical  Associa- 
tions ;  have  been  honored  with  the  Presidency  of  the  Medical  Societies 
of  the  Counties  of  Oswego  and  Kings,  and  a  Curator  of  the  'Medical 
Department  of  the  University  of  Buffalo. 

"  The  great  interests  of  the  nation,  the  extending  and  elevating  our 
educational  institutions,  have  largely  engaged  my  attention,  with  my 
best  efforts  for  their  welfare.  My  father's  political  opinions  I  have 
fully  embraced,  but  political  preferment  has  formed  no  part  of  my 
desires.  Religion,  inspiring  and  animating  the  pure  motives  of  con- 
duct and  affection,  and  elevating  and  sustaining  above  all  earth's  sor- 
rows, I  have  endeavored  should  incite  and  influence  every  act  of  rny 
life,  that  I  may  honor  Him  who  died  for  me,  and  fulfil  the  lot  He  has 
appointed  me," 


M. 

PROCEEDINGS  AT  THE  INAUGURATION  OF  THE  TOWN  OF 
WAKEFIELD,  JULY  4,  1868. 


PRELIMINARY  ACTION  OF  THE  TOWN. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  qualified  voters  of  the  town  of  South  Reading, 
in  due  form  convened  on  the  twentieth  day  of  January,  1868,  the  fol- 
lowing report  was  submitted  :  — 

REPORT. 

To  the  Town  of  South  Reading: 

The  Committee  who  were  appointed  to  consider  the  matter  of  erect- 
ing a  Soldiers'  Monument  or  Memorial  Hall,  herewith  submit  a  final 
report,  as  follows  :  — 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  Committee  have  already,  at  a  former 
meeting  of  the  town,  submitted  a  partial  report,  and  obtained  leave 
longer  to  consider  the  subject ;  that  in  said  partial  report  the  Commit- 
tee represented  that  a  majority  of  their  number  was  in  favor  of  a  Me- 
morial Hall,  —  first,  as  being  cheaper,  if,  in  the  erection  of  a  new  Town 


724  APPENDIX. 

House,  provision  should  be  made  for  such  a  hall  therein ;  and  second, 
as  being  more  useful,  sentimental,  and  historic  than  a  simple  granite 
or  marble  monument ;  that  said  Committee  also  represented  that  inti- 
mations had  been  given  that  liberal  donations  towards  the  expense  of 
erecting  a  new  Town  House,  sufficiently  spacious  to  furnish,  in  addi- 
tion to  other  conveniences,  a  room  for  a  Memorial  Hall,  might  be  ex- 
pected ;  and  further,  that  your  Committee  asked  of  the  town  more  time 
to  consider  the  matter,  in  order  that  such  intimations  might  take  shape 
and  become  definite  realities. 

The  Committee  have  the  pleasure  to  report  that  the  expectations 
based  upon  the  intimations  aforesaid  have  been  abundantly  realized. 
The  Committee  are  now  in  the  possession  of  the  assurance,  ample  and 
satisfactory  :  First,  that  a  lot  of  land  and  a  cash  contribution  of  $30,000 
to  $35,000  (as  may  be  needed)  for  a  new  Town  House  (and  such  fur- 
ther sum  of  money  as  may  be  necessary  in  order  to  build  a  house  satis- 
factory to  the  town),  the  same  being  the  gift  of  CYRUS  WAKEFIELD, 
Esq. ;  and,  secondly,  that  $1,000  for  furnishing  and  adorning  the  rooms 
in  said  proposed  Town  House,  the  gift  of  SOLON  O.  RICHARDSON, 
Esq.,  now  await  the  town's  acceptance. 

Your  Committee  would  therefore  recommend  the  acceptance  by  the 
town  of  the  aforesaid  offers,  and  that  in  accepting  them,  the  town 
tender  their  hearty  thanks  and  lively  congratulations  to  Cyrus  Wake- 
field,  Esq.,  for  his  princely  proposal,  and  to  Solon  O.  Richardson,  Esq., 
for  his  munificent  offer,  and  proffer  to  both  these  gentlemen  the  assur- 
ance that  the  town  most  highly  appreciates  these  splendid  gifts,  and 
will  hold  the  donors  of  them  in  honorable  and  perpetual  remembrance. 

The  Committee  would  also  unanimously  recommend  the  passage  of 
the  following  votes  :  — 

First,  That  instead  of  building  a  granite  or  marble  monument  to  the 
memory  of  those  gallant  soldiers  from  South  Reading  who  gave  their 
lives  for  their  country,  whenever  a  new  Town  House  shall  be  built, 
provision  shall  be  made  for  a  suitable  room  therein  that  shall  be  set 
apart  for  a  "  Soldiers'  Memorial  Hall,"  and  which  shall  be  furnished 
and  adorned,  and  supplied  with  portraits,  relics,  and  other  memorials 
of  the  lives  and  services  of  the  living,  and  especially  of  the  departed 
brave. 

Second,  That  a  Building  Committee  of  seven  persons  be  now  ap- 
pointed (to  serve  gratuitously),  who  shall  have  authority  to  erect  in 
behalf  of  the  town,  during  the  present  year,  upon  such  part  of  the 
"  Noah  Smith  House  Lot,"  on  Main  Street,  in  South  Reading,  as  said 
Committee  shall  agree  upon,  a  new  Town  House  of  sufficient  capacity 


APPENDIX. 


725 


to  furnish  a  suitable  Hall  for  Town  Meetings  and  Public  Lectures,  a 
Soldiers'  Memorial  Hall,  rooms  for  the  Town  Library,  Town  Officers' 
rooms,  and  rooms  for  Military  and  other  Municipal  purposes,  to  cost, 
in  addition  to  the  land  for  a  site,  not  less  than  $30,000  ;  the  size,  plan, 
materials,  and  all  the  details  and  surroundings  to  be  left  to  the  discre- 
tion of  said  Committee,  provided  that  a  deed  conveying  to  said  town  a 
site  of  suitable  size,  and  located  on  said  "  Smith  Lot,"  shall  be  se- 
cured ;  and  provided  also,  that  a  sum  not  less  than  $30,000  shall  be 
gratuitously  furnished. 

Third,  That  the  Building  Committee  aforesaid  shall  be  also  author- 
ized to  appropriate  and  expend,  at  their  discretion,  in  furnishing  and 
adorning  the  rooms  in  said  Town  House,  such  sums  of  money  as  are 
or  shall  be  given  for  such  specific  purpose. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted  by  order,  and  in  behalf  of,  the 
Committee. 

LILLEY   EATON,  Chairman. 
SOUTH  READING,  January  20,  1868. 


At  the  same  meeting,  Daniel  Allen,  from  Committee  on  Change  of 
Town's  Name,  submitted  the  following 

REPORT: 

The  Committee,  chosen  by  the  town  to  take  into  consideration  the 
subject  of  changing  the  name  of  the  town,  and  also  to  designate  a  new 
name  for  adoption,  would  respectfully  report :  — 

In  consequence  of  the  action  of  the  town,  at  their  meeting  in  No- 
vember last,  upon  this  subject, — then  voting,  unanimously,  to  change 
the  name,  —  the  Committee  do  not  deem  it  necessary  to  go  into  any 
argument,  or  to  present  facts  upon  that  subject ;  still,  we  are  happy  to 
state,  that  in  all  our  investigations,  and  in  all  our  consultations  with 
our  fellow-citizens,  and  in  all  that  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
Committee,  all  are  in  confirmation  of  the  action  of  the  town  upon  the 
subject. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  objections  to  our  present  position  is,  that, 
outside  of  our  immediate  vicinity,  we  have  no  personal  identity  as  an 
independent  and  separate  town,  which  leads  to  constant  inconvenience. 

The  First,  or  South  Parish,  of  Reading,  was  incorporated  as  the 
Town  of  South  Reading,  in  1812,  containing  then  a  population  of  eight 
hundred,  and  a  valuation  of  $100,000. 

From  1850  to  1855,  the  town  of  Old  Reading  lost  in  population 


726  APPENDIX. 

I7iJo5T>  Per  cent,  while  in  the  same  period,  South  Reading  gained  2  7  ^ 
per  cent. 

In  1860  Old  Reading  contained  2,662  inhabitants,  and  South  Read- 
ing, 3,207. 

It  is  also  worthy  of  remark,  that  in  the  settlement  of  the  town  of 
what  is  now  Reading,  North  Reading,  and  South  Reading,  the  first 
settlements  were  in  South  Reading,  near  our  present  Common. 

The  Committee,  therefore,  are  of  the  opinion  that  we  are  old  enough 
and  large  enough  to  be  independent,  and  to  have  an  identity  as  an 
active  and  independent  town. 

It  only  remains  for  the  Committee  to  suggest  a  name  for  the  consid- 
eration of  the  town. 

Under  ordinary  circumstances  the  proposition  to  change  the  name 
of  the  town  might  be  met  with  a  variety  of  opinions ;  but  under  the 
circumstances  of  to-day,  and  in  view  of  the  Report  of  the  Committee 
just  presented,  and  the  general  expressions  made  to  the  Committee, 
we  take  great  pleasure  in  recommending  that  the  name  of  the  Town  of 
South  Reading  be  changed  to  WAKEFIELD. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

DANIEL  ALLEN, 
S.  O.  RICHARDSON, 
J.  D.  MANSFIELD, 

Committee. 

Both  these  reports  were,  with  great  unanimity  and  enthusiasm,  ac- 
cepted and  adopted  ;  and  Cyrus  VVakefield,  S.  O.  Richardson,  P.  H. 
Sweetser,  Lilley  Eaton,  Darnel  Allen, 'J.  D.  Mansfield,  and  Thomas 
Emerson,  Jr.,  were  chosen  a  Building  Committee,  with  authority  to 
superintend  the  erection  and  furnishing  of  the  proposed  new  Town 
House. 

In  accordance  with  a  vote  of  the  town,  the  Selectmen  prepared  and 
presented  to  the  Legislature,  then  in  session,  a  petition  requesting 
the  passage  of  an  Act  in  conformity  with  the  above  expression  of  the 
town. 

Said  petition  received  prompt  attention,  and  no  person  appearing 
in  opposition  thereto,  the  following  act  was  approved  by  the  Governor, 
Feb.  25,  1868:  — 

Be  it  enacted,  etc. 

SECTION  i.  The  Town  of  South  Reading,  in  the  County  of  Middle- 
sex, shall  take  the  name  of  Wakefield. 


APPENDIX. 


727 


SECTION  2.  This  Act  shall  take  effect  from  and  after  the  thirtieth 
day  of  June,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-eight. 

Subsequently,  it  was  decided  to  make  the  occasion  of  the  assump- 
tion of  the  new  title  a  day  of  general  festivity  and  enjoyment,  and  to 
mark  its  advent  with  appropriate  public  ceremonies. 

The  town  having  selected  the  anniversary  of  American  Independ- 
ence as  the  day  for  the  proposed  celebration,  and  having  voted,  also,  a 
generous  appropriation  to  defray  its  expenses,  intrusted  the  arrangement 
and  superintendence  of  the  exercises  of  the  occasion  to  the  following 

Committee. 

CYRUS  WAKEFIELU,  S.  O.  RICHARDSON, 

DANIEL  ALLEN,  LILLE Y  EATON, 

P.  H.  SWEETSER,  J.  D.  MANSFIELD, 

JAMES  F.  EMERSON,  LUCIUS  BEEBE, 

JOHN  S.  EATON,  JAMES  OLIVER, 

P.  C.  WHEELER,  J.  F.  MANSFIELD, 

N.  S.  DEARBORN,  JOHN  WINSHIP, 

WM.  H.  ATVVELL,  THOMAS  WINSHIP, 

EDWARD  MANSFIELD,  WALDO  E.  COWDREY, 

J.  C.  HARTSHORN,  CHESTER  W.  EATON, 

JOHN  F.  HARTSHORN,  JOHN  G.  ABORN, 

E.  H.  WALTON,  T.  J.  SKINNER, 

M.  P.  WHEELER,  J.  WHITTEMORE, 

T.  A.  EMERSON,  JOHN  WILEY,  20, 
RICHARD  BRITTON. 

This  Committee  labored  with  diligence  and  faithfulness  in  the 
arrangement  of  the  various  details,  —  and  very  successfully,  also,  as  the 
smoothness  with  which  the  programme  was  executed  abundantly  testi- 
fied. Especial  credit  is  due  to  DANIEL  ALLEN,  Chairman ;  EDWARD 
MANSFIELD,  Treasurer ;  T.  J.  SKINNER,  Secretary ;  and  to  CYRUS 
WAKEFIELD  and  SOLON  O.  RICHARDSON,  for  their  liberality  and  labors 
in  aid  of  the  celebration. 

THE    DAY 

Opened  brilliantly,  to  the  music  of  pealing  bells,  and  through  all  its 
shining  hours  from  a  cloudless  sky  was  poured  a  perfect  blaze  of  sun- 
light, rendering  the  shadows  of  the  graceful  elms  peculiarly  grateful 
and  refreshing. 

A  national  salute,  at  sunrise  and  at  sunset,  awoke  the  hillside 
echoes,  and  helped  to  swell  the  mighty  anthem  of  rejoicing  which,  on 
that  day,  rose  heavenward  from  a  free  and  peaceful  republic. 


728 


APPENDIX. 


The  town  of  Wakefield,  always  beautiful,  on  this  day  presented 
unusual  attractions,  the  brilliant  hues  of  fluttering  flags  and  decorated 
arches  mingling  charmingly  with  its  emerald  lawns  and  leafy  avenues, 
which  throughout  the  day  were  filled  with  a  happy  and  perspiring  com- 
pany. 

The  Committee  secured  the  services  of  Col.  William  Beals,  of  Bos- 
ton, who  furnished  the  various  arches,  mottoes,  and  flags,  for  decorating 
the  streets  and  public  buildings ;  while  many  of  the  citizens  placed 
upon  their  dwellings  beautiful  and  appropriate  embellishments,  and 
extended  to  their  thronging  visitors  a  welcome,  —  warm,  cordial,  and 
refreshing. 

At  eight  o'clock,  the  regular  exercises  of  the  day  commenced  with  a 
morning  concert,  on  the  Common,  by  the  Boston  Brigade  Band,  which 
performed  a  selection  of  popular  airs. 

The  concert  assembled  a  large  collection  of  people,  and  the  beauti- 
ful music  of  the  band  was  heartily  applauded. 

At  nine  o'clock  a  procession  was  formed  under  the  marshalship  of 
Major  John  Wiley,  zd,  and  moved  in  the  following  order  :  — 

Detachment  of  Police. 
Aid.  Chief  Marshal.  Aid 

Brown's  Brigade  Band. 

Richardson  Light  Guard,  Capt  J.  F.  Emerson. 

Yale  Engine  Co.,  No.  I,  Capt.  Richard  Britton. 

Carriages,  containing  the  President  of  the  Day  and 

CYRUS  WAKEFIELD,  Esq. ; 
The  Historian  and  Poet ;  Chaplain  of  the  Day  ; 

Reader  and  Toast-Master ; 
Committee  of  Arrangements  ; 

Aid.  Invited  Guests ;  Aid. 

Town  Officers  and  Clergymen  of  Reading,  North  Reading,  and  Wakefield. 

Employees  of  Wakefield  Rattan  Works. 
Employees  of  Emerson's  Sons  Shoe  Manufactory. 

Citizens. 
Children  of  the  Public  Schools,  in  Carriages. 

The  procession  commenced  to  move  at  about  ten  o'clock,  passing 
over  the  designated  route  through  the  principal  streets,  and  reaching 
the  High  School  Grounds  soon  after  noon. 

The  streets  along  the  route,  at  many  points  crowded  with  spectators 
from  this  and  the  surrounding  towns,  were  exceedingly  dusty,  and 
the  march  in  the  intense  heat  was  relieved  by  halts,  frequent  and 
refreshing. 

The  procession  presented  a  fine  appearance,  and  the  presence  of  the 


APPENDIX,  729 

school-children,  in  large  numbers  and  in  appropriately  decorated  car- 
riages, added  much  attractiveness  to  this  portion  of  the  ceremonies. 

The  exercises  on  the  hill  were  conducted  in  a  large  tent,  erected  for 
the  purpose,  where  seats  had  been  prepared  for  the  invited  guests,  aged 
citizens,  etc.,  and  under  the  guidance  of  Daniel  Allen,  Esq.,  President 
of  the  Day. 

Rev.  Charles  R.  Bliss  opened  the  exercises  with  prayer;  after 
which,  the  President  said  :  — 

It  becomes  my  pleasant  duty,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee  of  Arrange- 
ments and  the  town  of  Wakefield,  to  bid  you  to  our  new  relations  a 
cheerful  welcome.  In  the  order  of  exercises  I  shall  be  followed  by 
those  who  will  give  you  the  interesting  facts  and  details  in  regard  to 
our  town,  and  the  relation  which  we  have  this  day  assumed. 

We  heartily  bid  you  welcome  to  our  new  town,  and  to  the  new  rela- 
tions we  assume  to-day  among  the  towns  of  the  Commonwealth.  Wel- 
come to  our  beautiful  hills  and  valleys.  Welcome  home,  —  those  of 
you  who  were  former  residents  of  this  town.  To  all  of  you,  welcome 
again,  not  to  South  Reading,  but  to  the  Town  of  Wakefield.  We  bid 
you  welcome,  on  this  national  holiday,  to  the  scenes  of  your  early  daysj 
and  hope  the  exercises  of  this  occasion  will  bring  no  discredit  to  the 
time-honored  town  of  South  Reading. 

In  conclusion  the  President  introduced  Mr.  B.  P.  Snow,  Principal  of 
the  High  School,  of  Wakefield,  who  read,  in  .a  very  acceptable  manner, 
the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

The  band  played  "  Hail  Columbia,"  when  Hon.  Lilley  Eaton  was 
introduced,  who  read  the  following 

HISTORICAL     ADDRESS. 
Mr.  President,  and  Ladies  and  Gentlemen : 

On  this  most  interesting  and  joyful  occasion,  this  national  birthday 
anniversary,  this  new  and  memorable  era  in  our  municipal  history,  — 
the  stirring  memories  of  other  days,  the  gallant  deeds  of  our  ancestors, 
in  the  acquisition  and  defence  of  freedom  and  independence,  and  more 
recently,  of  our  brothers  and  sisters,  and  sons  and  daughters,  for  the 
preservation  of  that  freedom  and  independence ;  the  interesting  story 
of  our  town's  early  settlement,  its  progress  in  population,  resources, 
knowledge,  and  refinement,  its  present  bright  and  auspicious  prospects, 
all  the  exciting  considerations  to  which  this  twofold  celebration  of  our 
national  freedom  and  local  prosperity  gives  rise,  come  thronging  before 
92 


730  APPENDIX. 

the  mental  vision  in  such  profusion  as  to  be  wellnigh  overwhelming. 
As  I  look  around  upon  this  numerous  and  expectant  assembly,  com- 
posed of  the  strength  and  beauty  and  elite  of  the  vicinity,  and  find  my- 
self standing  among  the  venerable  and  hoary  fathers  of  the  ancient 
town  of  Reading,  in  the  presence  of  the  professional  talent  and  official 
dignity  of  the  town,  of  the  neighboring  towns,  and  of  other  States,  I 
would  fain  preserve  that  golden  silence  which  is  far  more  precious 
than  any  language  of  mine,  and  I  would  be  silent,  not  for  the  want  of 
thoughts,  kindling  thoughts,  for  of  such  I  am  full,  but  for  the  want  of 
burning  words  and  animating  sentences  with  which  suitably  to  express 
the  sentiments  and  emotions  of  this  eventful  opportunity. 

But  a  duty  has  been  assigned  me  as  the  historiographer  of  the  occa- 
sion, that  I  must  proceed  to  perform  as  I  may  be  best  able.  The  half 
hour  allotted  for  this  service  will  permit  me  to  do  scarcely  more  than 
simply  to  glance  at  a  few  of  the  more  striking  events  and  incidents  of 
our  national  or  municipal  story. 

It  is  natural,  honorable,  and  appropriate  that  at  this  advanced  date 
and  prosperous  condition  of  our  village  life,  we  should  first  revert  to  our 
day  of  small  things,  —  to  the  early  settlement  of  our  village;  seek 
acquaintance  with  those  men  who  first  located  upon  these  pleasant 
plains  and  swelling  hills,  and  around  these  lovely  lakes,  in  the  midst 
of  what  was  then  a  lonely,  howling  wilderness,  —  those  men 

"  —  who  did,  for  conscience'  sake, 

Their  native  land  forego, 
And  sought  a  home  and  freedom  here 

Two  hundred  years  ago." 

It  is  good  for  us  often  to  visit  our  ancient  cemeteries,  and  meditate 
upon  life's  evanescence  among  those  mossy  monuments,  where, 

'*  Beneath  those  rugged  elms,  that  yew  tree's  shade, 

Where  heaves  the  turf  in  many  a  mould'ring  heap, 
Each  in  his  narrow  cell  forever  laid, 
The  rude  forefathers  of  the  hamlet  sleep." 

The  settlement  of  this  village  was  commenced  in  1639,  under  a  grant 
of  land  from  the  General  Court  to  the  town  of  Lynn  of "  four  miles 
square,"  and  was  called  "Lynn  Village." 

This  grant  included  substantially  the  present  towns  of  Wakefield  and 
Reading. 

In  1644,  seven  houses  having  been  erected,  and  seven  families  set- 
tled, and  a  little  church  edifice  built,  the  village  was  made  a  town  cor- 
porate by  the  name  of  "  Reading." 


APPENDIX. 


731 


This  little  meeting-house  stood  on  the  Common,  near  where  is  now 
our  post  office,  and  in  it  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Green,  Haugh,  and  Brock, 
men  eminent  for  their  learning  and  piety,  successively  ministered  up  to 
the  time  of  their  respective  deaths. 

In  1651,  twelve  years  after  the  first  grant,  a  second  grant  of  territory 
was  made  to  the  town  of  Reading  of  "  two  miles  square." 

This  latter  grant  constituted  substantially  what  is  now  "North 
Reading." 

The  early  settlers  of  our  township  were  rude,  but  heroic,  industrious, 
and  pious  men, 

"  Witty  and  wise,  grave,  good,  among  the  best 
Were  they,  —  the  mem'ry  of  the  just  is  blest." 

We  desire  to  pay  to  their  memory  this  day  the  tribute  of  our  grati- 
tude for  their  wisdom  and  sagacity  in  selecting  this  spot  so  beautiful  for 
situation,  the  constant  joy  of  its  successive  inhabitants;  for  their  justice 
in  purchasing  it  by  peaceable  negotiation  of  its  former  Indian  posses- 
sors, as  appears  by  a  deed  thereof,  duly  signed  and  executed  by  their 
chief  men  and  women,  which  is  still  on  record ;  for  their  valor  and 
labor  and  hardships  in  defending  and  subduing  this  then  uncultivated 
wild,  and  changing  it  to  smiling  fields,  and  a  safe  and  happy  abode  ;  for 
their  decided  moral  character,  their  stern  integrity,  their  virtuous  habits, 
and  their  early  support  of  liberty,  learning,  and  religion,  the  valuable 
influences  of  all  which  have  been  ever  felt  and  enjoyed  by  their  succes- 
sors down  to  the  present  day. 

Our  early  fathers  were  valiant  men  as  well  as  good  and  industrious 
ones.  For  although  they  themselves  made  peaceable  purchase  of  their 
lands  of  the  Indians,  and  were  on  friendly  terms  with  their  immediate 
Indian  neighbors,  yet  there  were  many  hostile  tribes  around  them,  who 
made  frequent  forays  upon  the  English  settlements ;  and  the  settlers 
for  many  years  were  obliged  to  labor  with  the  axe  or  spade  in  one 
hand  and  a  musket  in  the  other  ;  to  maintain  watch-Tiouses  and  garri- 
sons for  their  protection  ;  and  were  often  called  upon  to  join  in  expedi- 
tions against  the  savage  foe.  They  thus  became  a  brave  and  martial 
people,  and  during  the  first  century  of  our  history  were  frequently 
engaged  in  wars  with  the  Indians  and  French.  The  names  of  some  of 
these  early  citizens  became  renoWned  as  warriors  and  leaders. 

Richard  Walker,  their  first  captain  ;  Jonathan  Poole,  their  second 
captain  ;  Major  Jeremiah  Swain,  who  was  commander-in-chief  of  all 
the  Colonial  troops  ;  Captain  Thomas  Bancroft,  a  noted  officer  in  King 


732  APPENDIX. 

Philip's  Indian  War,  and  others  that  might  be  named,  shine  out  on  the 
page  of  our  early  record,  as  eminent  for  their  ability  and  bravery. 

In  1688  the  humble  meeting-house,  erected  in  1644,  having  become 
too  small  for  the  convenience  of  the  people  (for  all  the  people  attended 
public  worship  in  those  days),  was  sold,  and  the  sum  which  it  brought  may 
give  some  idea  of  its  size  and  value  :  it  was  sold  for  twenty-five  shillings 
and  a  "  watch-house  frame,"  and  the  money  was  appropriated  for  the 
school,  showing  that  our  ancestors  thus  early  were  mindful  of  the  im- 
portance of  schooling,  —  a  mindfulness  which  their  successors  have 
ever  manifested  in  a  commendable  degree,  and  never  more  so  than  at 
th§  present  time. 

Our  fathers  then  proceeded  to  erect  their  second  meeting-house.  It 
was  located  a  few  rods  northwesterly  of  the  present  Congregational 
meeting-house,  in  the  easterly  part  of  the  present  town  burial-ground. 
It  was  a  quaint,  unique,  and  curiously-formed  structure.  Our  accom- 
plished architect,  John  Stevens,  Esq.,  who  is  projecting  a  plan  thereof, 
finds  it  more  difficult  to  sketch  than  he  does  the  more  spacious  and 
splendid  edifice  whose  lofty  walls  and  tower,  and  elegant  halls,  are  soon 
to  add  grace,  convenience,  and  honor  to  our  town.  This  old  church 
was  of  moderate  size,  with  a  roof  not  exactly  like  a  modern  French  one 
(but  may  have  been  the  original  idea  of  one),  and  was  a  sort  of  cross 
between  a  "  regular  pitch,"  a  "  hipped,"  and  a  "  gambrel  "  or  "  surd" 
with  dormers  on  at  least  three  sides,  and  a  turret  in  front,  with  a  bell 
therein ;  its  windows  contained  glass  of  very  small  size,  diamond- 
shaped,  set  in  lead.  Within  was  a  gallery  on  one  side  ;  and  on  the 
floor,  in  front  of  the  pulpit,  were  long  body  seats,  in  which  the  adult 
male  worshippers  sat,  who  were  seated  by  a  committee,  chosen  annually 
for  that  purpose,  —  the  oldest,  richest,  and  most  hoary  in  front,  and  so 
back  in  regular  gradation,  according  to  age  and  real  estate.  The  adult 
females  also  occupied  seats  by  themselves,  on  either  side,  as  arranged 
by  the  committee,  on  the  same  principle.  The  boys  and  girls  were 
on  the  back  side  of  the  room,  the  young  men  and  the  tything-men  with 
the  singers  in  the"  gallery,  and  the  dog-whippers  where  most  convenient 
to  exercise  their  vocation.  There  were  here  and  there  in  the  house 
pews  which,  by  special  permission  of  the  town,  had  been  built  by  some 
of  the  more  aristocratic  and  wealthy  citizens,  at  their  own  expense. 
This  house  .served  the  people  eighty  years,  and  in  it  preached  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Pierpont,  Brown,  and  Hobby,  all  liberally  educated  and  dis- 
tinguished men. 

In  1706  the  house  of  John  Harnden,  situated  in  the  northwesterly 
part  of  the  town,  was  attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians.  The  family  of 


APPENDIX. 


733 


Mr.  Harnden  consisted  of  himself,  wife,  and  eight  children.  Mr.  Harn- 
den  was  absent  at  the  time.  The  Indians  killed  Mrs.  Harnden  and 
three  children,  burned  the  house,  and  carried  the  remaining  children 
into  captivity. 

In  1713  the  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  Reading  lying  north  of 
Ipswich  River  and  Bare  Meadow,  "  having,"  to  use  the  language  of  the 
record,  "  become  of  sufficient  and  competent  numbers  lo  call,  settle, 
and  maintain  a  godly,  learned,  orthodox  minister,"  were  set  off  and 
incorporated  as  a  distinct  parish  by  the  name  of  the  "  North  Precinct 
of  Reading,"  being  the  same  territory,  mainly,  that  now  constitutes  the 
town  of  North  Reading. 

Until  this  date  (1713),  all  parochial  matters  had  been  transacted  by 
the  town  m  its  municipal  capacity.  After  this,  until  1770,  the  residue 
of  the  town,  including  what  is  now  Wakefield  and  Reading  (then  termed 
respectively  the  "Oid  Parish"  and  "Woodend"),  constituted  one 
parish  designated  as  the  "  First  Parish  of  Reading."  In  1768,  exactly 
one  hundred  years  ago,  the  third  church  edifice  in  this  part  of  Reading 
was  built,  having  the  same  frame  as  that  which  now  upholds  the  main 
body  of  the  present  Congregational  remodelled  church.  It  stood  on  a 
site  near  its  present  location,  and  for  the  time  in  which  it  was  erected 
was  a  large  and  handsome  structure.  In  1769  the  Rev.  Caleb  Pren- 
tiss,  of  Cambridge,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College,  became  the  pastor 
of  the  First  Parish.  He  was  a  liberal  divine,  of  respectable  talents, 
mild  and  persuasive  as  a  preacher,  patriotic  and  upright  as  a  citizen. 

This  same  year,  1769,  the  northwesterly  part  of  the  First  Parish,  the 
part  then  termed  "  Woodend,"  after  several  years  of  earnest  effort,  and 
in  spite  of  a  most  determined  opposition  from  the  First  Parish,  were 
incorporated  as  a  separate  parish,  by  the  name  of  the  "  West  Parish 
of  Reading."  I  have  given  the  dates  of  these  parochial  incorporations, 
'because  that  although  they  created  simply  religious  bodies  corporate, 
yet  these  parishes  were  the  nucleus  or  foundation  of  those  associations 
and  affiliations  that  subsequently  resulted  in  the  municipal  corporations 
of  Reading,  South  Reading,  and  North  Reading.  In  1775  commenced 
the  War  of  the  Revolution.  Into  the  spirit  of  that  war  in  defence  of 
American  liberty  and  rights  against  the  obnoxious  acts  and  growing 
encroachments  of  British  tyranny,  the  people  of  Old  Reading  entered 
with  great  unanimity  and  with  all  their  hearts  ;  to  its  support  they  not 
only  pledged,  but  they  freely  paid  their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and  their 
sacred  honor. 

In  1776,  July  4,  was  adopted  that  immortal  document,  that  "  Ma-n.i 
Charta"  of  our  rights  and  glorious  Declaration  of  American  Inde 


734  APPENDIX. 

pendence  which  has  just  been  so  impressively  pronounced  in  our  hear- 
ing, and  the  anniversary  of  the  adoption  of  which,  ninety-two  years  ago, 
we  are  now  celebrating.  In  reference  to  that  declaration,  the  town  of 
Reading  voted  unanimously  "  to  adhere  to  its  sentiments  and  stand  by 
it  to  the  last,  with  their  lives  and  their  fortunes." 

The  town  of  Reading  at  this  time  occupied  relatively  among  the 
towns  of  the  State  a  position  of  much  importance. 

By  a  census  of  Massachusetts  proper,  taken  in  1776,  the  town  of 
Reading  was  the  second  town  in  population  in  the  county  of  Middlesex, 
and  the  thirty-third  in  the  State  proper,  and  contained  about  2,000 
people.  Boston  at  the  same  time  contained  only  2,700  inhabitants, 
and  Charlestown  only  360. 

It  is  probable,  however,  that  some  500  of  the  population  of  Reading 
at  that  time  were  refugees  from  Boston,  Charlestown,  and  other  places. 
The  North  and  South  Parishes  then  contained  about  700  inhabitants 
each,  and  the  West  Parish  about  600.  The  records  of  the  town  and  of 
each  parish,  during  the  continuance  of  the  war,  breathe  the  most  earn- 
est and  devoted  patriotism  and  the  most  determined  resolution ;  and 
are  full  of  votes  for  raising  and  providing  men,  money,  provisions,  cloth- 
ing, and  fuel,  in  cheerful  response  to  all  the  calls  of  the  Government. 
It  appears  that  the  town  of  Reading  sent  to  the  Continental  army,  for 
longer  or  shorter  terms,  more  than  four  hundred  men ;  and  that,  with- 
out counting  minute-men,  or  men  drafted  from  time  to  time  to  guard 
prisoners,  or  privateersmen,  of  all  which  there  were  many,  there  were 
constantly  in  the  field  from  Reading,  on  an  average,  one  hundred  men 
during  the  war. 

Among  these  enlisted  men  were  officers  of  talent  and  bravery  ;  of 
whom  we  will  mention  Colonel  David  Green,  Colonel  Benjamin  Brown 
(afterwards  General),  Captain  John  Walton,  Captain  William  Flint, 
Daniel  (afterwards  Colonel)  Flint ;  Captain  James  Bancroft,  Surgeon 
John  Hart,  Captain  John  Brooks,  afterwards  Colonel  in  the  army  and 
Governor  of  the  Commonwealth ;  and  there  were  many  others.  From 
the  close  of  the  War  of  the  Revolution  to  1810,  the  on  ward  progress  of 
the  town  was  slow,  pursuing  the  even  tenor  of  its  way,  —  witnessing 
few  important  or  extraordinary  changes  in  its  condition,  and  gaining 
only  about  two  hundred  inhabitants  over  the  census  of  1776,  but  seven 
hundred  over  the  census  of  1765. 

In  1812  two  memorable  events  occurred  to  vary  the  monotony  of  its 
municipal  life.  In  the  first  place,  in  February  of  that  year,  "  The  Old 
Parish,"  so  called,  exclusive  of  "  Woodend,"  was  set  off  from  the  town 
of  Reading,  and  incorporated  as  a  distinct  town  by  the  name  of  "  South 
Reading." 


APPENDIX. 


735 


And  in  the  second  place,  in  the  same  year,  war  with  England  was 
declared  by  the  United  States. 

The  same  general  causes  and  considerations  which  resulted  directly 
in  the  declaration  of  that  war  had  indirectly  led  to  the  separation  of  the 
South  Parish  from  her  sister  parishes. 

The  people  of  the  South  Parish,  ever  true  to  the  government  of  the 
American  Union,  were  Republicans^  almost  unanimously ;  were  sup- 
porters of  the  National  Administration  then  in  power,  and  were  in  favor 
of  fighting  Old  England  for  her  insults  to  our  seamen  and  our  flag : 
while  the  people  of  the  other  parishes,  not  less  honest  or  patriotic,  we 
would  charitably  believe,  but  with  different  views  of  political  expedi- 
ency, were,  with  like  unanimity,  Federalists,  unfavorable  to  the  National 
Administration,  and  violently  opposed  to  a  war  with  England.  Politi- 
cal feeling  rose  to  a  high  pitch,  and  parties  were  very  bitter  towards 
each  other.  The  Republicans  of  the  South  Parish  were  a  minority  in 
the  town,  and  were  excluded  in  a  great  measure  from  influence  in  mu- 
nicipal affairs  or  share  in  town  offices.  These  considerations  impelled 
to  a  separation. 

The  town  of  South  Reading,  at  the  time  of  its  incorporation,  con- 
tained a  population  of  about  eight  hundred,  and  the  valuation  of  all  its 
real  and  personal  estate,  upon  the  assessors'  books,  was  only  $100,000. 

This  newly-made  town,  although  small  in  territory,  in  numbers,  and 
in  resources,  was  very  spirited  and  enthusiastic. 

It  contained  among  its  citizens  at  this  time  an  unusual  proportion 
of  able  and  gifted  men,  —  men  who  loved  liberty  and  independence, 
were  qualified  to  speak  for  them  and  to  act  for  them,  and  were  ready, 
if  need  required,  to  fight  for  them  ;  who  appreciated  the  value  of  sound 
learning,  and  were  liberal  in  its  support ;  and  who  earnestly  sustained 
religious  institutions  and  religious  freedom. 

I  well  remember  these  men.  Nearly  all  of  them  have  gone  to  that 
land  "  from  whose  bourne  no  traveller  returns." 

I  should  be  pleased  to  speak  particularly  of  many  of  them,  but  time, 
at  present,  forbids.  Suffice  it  to  say  here,  that  under  their  influence 
the  town  was  earnest  and  efficient  in  sustaining  the  government  in  the 
war ;  cheerfully  responded  to  all  the  calls  of  the  War  Department ;  sent 
numbers  of  its  young  men  to  the  field  and  on  the  sea ;  mourned  sadly 
over  the  defeats  of  its,  armies  and  navy,  and  rejoiced  jubilantly  over  their 
victories. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  the  citizens  had  a  grand  celebration,  in 
thankfulness  for  the  triumph  of  the  American  Arms,  and  for  the  return 
of  peace,  with  an  oration,  civic  feast,  and  other  demonstrations  of  joy. 


736  APPENDIX. 

Some  toasts  given  on  the  occasion,  which  were  received  with  loud 
acclamation  and  swallowed  with  ardent  satisfaction,  will  show  somewhat 
the  temper  of  the  people  at  that  time. 

The  first,  by  the  orator  of  the  clay,  Charles  G.  Haines,  Esq.,  — 
"  The  British  Lion  —  We  have  hunted  him,  —  we  have  hunted  him  to 
his  den ! " 

The  second,  by  Benjamin  Badger,  Sen.,  a  Revolutionary  veteran, — 

"  John  Bull,  the  Pope,  and  the  Devil,  —  May  they  never  control  this 
happy  land  ! " 

The  progress  of  our  town,  from  the  time  of  its  incorporation  in  1812 
to  1844,  although  not  rapid,  yet  was  more  marked  and  considerable 
than  in  any  previous  period  of  like  extent.  Its  population  and  valua- 
tion nearly  doubled  in  the  time.  The  increasing  resources  of  its  inhab- 
itants had  enabled  them  to  grant  a  more  liberal  support  to  its  public 
institutions,  to  its  schools,  and  to  various  public  improvements.  The. 
present  Town  Hall,  soon  to  be  so  totally  eclipsed,  was  erected  during 
this  period,  and  was  considered  a  handsome  and  spacious  building  in 
its  early  days. 

The  South  Reading  Academy,  established. in  1829,  on  this  very  spot,1 
had  flourished  a  while,  gave  an  impetus  to  the  pursuit  of  literature 
among  us  ;  educated  some  of  our  sons,  who  have  since  become  emi- 
nent in  professional  and  industrial  life,  and  induced,  by  its  example,  an 
improved  condition  of  our  common  schools  ;  and  as  the  common  schools 
improved,  the  Academy  declined,  and  was  at  length  discontinued. 
Thus  went  on  our  town  affairs  until  1844,  —  the  year  bi-centennial. 

In  this  year,  as  in  1812,  two  memorable  events  occurred,  again  to 
vary  the  monotony  of  our  village  life.  One,  instead  of  being  a  separa- 
tion, as  before,  of  the  various  corporations  of  Old  Reading,  was  a  union 
of  them,  in  a  bi-centennial  celebration  of  the  old  town's  incorporation, 
and  was  a  most  agreeable  and  interesting  reunion  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  old  parishes,  their  descendants  and  friends. 

The  other  event,  instead  of  being,  as  before,  a  declaration  and  effort 
for  the  victories  of  war,  was  an  effort  for  the  victories  of  peace,  in  the 
chartering  and  construction  of  the  "  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad," 
which  was  ]aid  through  our  town  in  this  year,  and  was  to  our  village  a 
most  important  event.  It  opened  to  the  eye  of  the  public  these  fertile 
lands,  these  pleasant  plains  and  hillsides,  and  our  unrivalled  water 
scenery  ;  it  superseded,  in  a  great  measure,  those  toll-bridges  that  sepa- 

1  The  Address  was  delivered  in  the  High  School  yard. 


APPENDIX. 

rated  us  from  our  metropolis,  and  were  a  hinderance  to  our  increase ;  it 
brought  the  merchants  of  distant  cities,  in  search  of  goods,  to  the  doors 
of  our  manufactories ;  it  has  induced  the  traders  and  mechanics  of 
Boston  to  seek  homes  for  their  families  in  this  central  and  convenient 
location ;  and  it  has  thus  brought  among  us  enterprise,  wealth,  and 
liberality.  Since  its  establishment,  the  town  has  rapidly  improved  in 
population  and  resources.  And  while  there  is  not  so  much  that  is  fair 
and  high  in  its  Wakefield  station-house  as  some  of  us  would  desire, 
there  certainly  is  enough  of  the  fare,  and  high  in  the  privilege  of  riding 
in  its  cars ;  but  we  would  freely  acknowledge  its  great  importance  to 
us,  notwithstanding,  and  hope  for  greater  kindness  at  less  cost  in  the 
future. 

Among  the  new-comers  were  men  of  wealth,  talent,  and  activity,  who, 
in  conjunction  with  our  native-born  citizens  of  like  gifts  and  character, 
have  given  new  life  to  our  business  and  to  all  our  institutions. 

In  1861,  when  the  fearful  War  of  the  Rebellion  burst  upon  us,  it 
found  us  not  only  patriotic  and  true  to  the  government  and  the  Union, 
as  always  heretofore,  but  also  able,  from  the  multiplication  of  our  num- 
bers and  resources,  to  meet,  and  to  exceed  even,  all  the  calls  of  the 
nation  for  men  and  means,  and  to  raise,  during  the  war,  some  $50,000, 
and  to  send  some  five  hundred  men  to  the  army  and  navy,  —  men  brave, 
patriotic,  and  devoted,  "  who  helped  open  the  Mississippi,  who  were 
present  at  Vicksburg,  Port  Hudson,  New  Orleans,  arid  Mobile,  who  saw 
the  starry  flag  as  it  ascended  Missionary  Ridge,  and  witnessed  the 
flight  of  Bragg  and  his  host ;  who  marched  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea, 
and  who  were  among  those  who  so  long  struggled  between  Washington 
and  Richmond,  and  who  at  last  saw  the  rebel  flag  go  down  upon  the 
Appomattox." 

Of  these  brave  men,  more  than  j£r/y,  either  in  battle  or  hospital  or 
prison  pen,  gave  their  lives  for  their  country.  High  up  in  the  temple 
of  liberty  and  of  their  country's  fame  will  be  the  niches  that  they  wil 
occupy;  in  bold  relief,  upon  the  tablets  of  our  Memorial  Hall,  will  their 
names  be  engraved,  and  sweet  will  their  memory  forever  be  in  the 
hearts  of  freemen. 

I  have  said  that  this  increase  of  population  and  enterprise  has  given 
new  life  and  impulse  to  the  various  institutions  of  our  town.  And  here 
let  me  say,  that  we  have  been  and  still  are  singularly  fortunate  in 
having  among  us  raten  of  ample  means  and  generous  souls,  who  have 
taken  pleasure  in  contributing,  from  time  to  time,  to  those  particular 
moral,  social,  literary,  and  municipal  enterprises  among  us  which 
needed  encouragement,  and  they  have  given  liberally.  Hence  we  find 
93 


738 


APPENDIX. 


that  very  properly  their  names  are  stamped  upon  our  Library  books  and 
school  diplomas ;  are  sounded  forth,  sometimes  in  merry  peals  and 
sometimes  in  solemn  tones,  from  our  balconies ;  that  we  are  reminded 
of  them  every  hour,  by  day  and  by  night ;  that  they  shine  in  golden 
letters  from  the  frontal  of  the  repository  and  head-quarters  of  our  Fire 
Department;  are  heard  in  the  martial  strains  and  measured  tread, 
and  are  seen  upon  the  armorial  escutcheon  of  our  Infantry ;  and  stand 
out  in  living  characters  upon  our  local  record.  There  let  them  stand 
and  shine,  for  they  are  worthy. 

These  various  auspicious  influences  have  caused  our  population  to 
increase  from  eight  hundred  in  1812  to  fifteen  hundred  in  1840,  and  to 
nearly  four  thousand  in  1868  ;  and  our  valuation  to  rise  from  $100,000 
in  1812,  to  $280,000  in  1840,  and  to  nearly  $2,000,000  at  the  present 
time. 

Since  1840  our  meeting-houses  have  all  been  enlarged,  remodelled, 
and  improved  ;  the  value  of  our  school-houses  has  been  enhanced  from 
$2,000  to  $30,000 ;  our  annual  school  appropriations  have  risen  from 
$1,000  to  more  than  $6,000;  a  Public  Library  of  three  thousand  vol- 
umes has  been  established,  and  many  other  valuable  improvements 
have  been  made ;  our  town  is  still  prosperous  and  growing,  —  its  star 
is  still  in  the  ascendant. 

Under  all  these  favorable  circumstances  of  advancement  and  prog- 
ress, our  people  came  to  the  conclusion  that  they  were  entitled  to  a 
distinctive,  uncompounded,  municipal  name  of  their  own ;  not  because 
they  disliked  the  name  of  Reading ;  for,  on  the  contrary,  they  love  and 
venerate  it  for  its  antiquity  and  as  the  name  of  their  own  and  their 
fathers'  home  ;  and  if  they  could  have  had  a  clear  and  separate  title  to 
it,  they  would  have  been  content.  But  we  foresaw  that  our  town  was 
destined  to  occupy  an  important  position  upon  the  future  page  of  his- 
tory, and  we  desired  that  whether  that  position  was  one  of  honor  or 
dishonor,  that  this  town  alone  should  have  the  credit  or  discredit  of  it. 
We  wished  therefore  that  its  name  and  its  portrait  should  so  correspond 
that  it  should  not  be  liable  to  be  mistaken  for  what  it  was  not. 

We  remembered  the  honorable  pride  of  him,  who,  hailing  from  the 
"  Eternal  City,"  when  absent  from  his  native  land,  could  exclaim,  "  I 
am  a  Roman  citizen,"  and  have  his  character  at  once  recognized  and 
respected ;  and  we  desired  that  our  own  townsmen,  when  absent  in 
another  State  or  nation,  and  being  asked  from  whence  they  came, 
should  be  able  to  answer  with  equal  pride  and  clearness,  and  command- 
ing equal  recognition  and  respect,  not  only  "  that  they  are  American 
citizens,"  but  also  "  that  they  hail  from  a  town  or  city  whose  name  and 


APPENDIX. 


739 


identity  are  clear  and  manifest."  While  our  people  were  revolving  this 
matter  in  their  minds,  and  looking  about  for  a  name  on  which  all  might 
unite,  our  respected  fellow-citizen,  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Esq.,  came  forward, 
and  voluntarily  and  unconditionally,  out  of  the  abundance  of  his  heart 
and  of  his  regard  to  the  town  of  his  adoption,  and  the  dwelling-place 
of  his  ancestors,  and  from  the  overflowings  of  his  liberality  and  his 
purse,  proffered  to  the  town  the  free  gift  of  a  lot  of  land,  and  of  a 
building  to  be  erected  thereon,  for  a  Town  Hall,  Soldiers'  Memorial 
Hall,  Library  and  Armory  Rooms,  Town  Officers'  Rooms,  Withdrawing 
Rooms,  and  all  other  conveniences,  of  such  ample  and  sufficient  capa- 
city for  all  these  purposes,  and  of  such  permanence  and  beauty  of  archi- 
tecture and  finish,  as  should  satisfy  the  utmost  reasonable  wishes  of  the 
inhabitants,  regardless  of  cost.  In  accepting  this  magnificent  gift,  the 
town  at  once  decided  for  a  change  of  its  name,  and  what  that  name 
should  be ;  and  forthwith,  with  unprecedented  unanimity,  and  by  accla- 
mation, voted  that  its  name  should  be  changed  to  Wakefield. 

And  now,  to-day,  having  obtained  the  requisite  authority  so  to  do,  we 
lay  aside  the  old  corporate  name  of  Reading,  which  we  have  worn,  in 
whole  or  in  part,  for  more  than  seven  generations,  and  assume  from  this 
day  forward  the  new  name  of  Wakefield. 

There  is  this  very  pleasing  coincidence  connected  with  this  change 
of  name. 

The  town  of  Reading  was  originally  so  named  from  the  city  of 
Reading,  in  England,  for  the  reason,  it  is  said,  that  John  Poole,  one  of 
our  earliest  and  wealthiest  settlers,  came  from  that  city.  This  John 
Poole,  in  honor  of  whose  birthplace  the  name  of  Reading  was  adopted, 
was  the  first  settler  upon  that  identical  spot  now  owned  by  Cyrus  Wake- 
field,  Esq.,  his  successor,  in  honor  of  whom  we  this  day  assume  our  new 
name,  and  is  the  place  now  occupied  by  the  extensive  "  Rattan  Factory." 
This  John  Poole  was  a  glover  and  miller  ;  built  the  first  grain  and  saw 
mills  of  the  town,  and,  like  his  latest  successor,  was  its  richest  citizen. 

There  is  another  coincidence,  furnishing  an  additional  appropriate- 
ness in  our  new  name,  viz.  Hon.  Horace  Poole  Wakefield,  recently  of 
Reading,  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  this  same  John  Poole. 

It  is  proper  also  to  mention,  in  this  connection,  that  our  patron  and 
namesake  is  of  Reading  and  South  Reading  descent.  It  seems  that  an 
emigrant  from  France  by  the  name  of  Wakefield  was  an  early  settler 
of  Boston,  —  a  goldsmith  by  profession ;  that  he  soon  buried  his  young 
wife,  who  left  an  infant  son,  Thomas  Wakefield  by  name;  that  said  infant 
son  was  put  to  nurse  with  the  Gould  family,  on  the  farm  recently  known 
as  the  "  Jenkins  Place,"  then  situated  partly  in  Stoneham  and  partly 


740 


APPENDIX. 


in  Reading.  The  father  soon  returned  to  France,  and  the  son  Thomas 
was  adopted  by  the  Gould  family.  He  subsequently  became  an  appren- 
tice to  Timothy  Pratt,  of  Reading,  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  carpenter. 
This  Timothy  Pratt,  who  was  the  ancestor  of  Nathan  P.  Pratt,  Esq., 
the  present  Representative  in  the  Legislature  from  Reading,  lived  on  the 
easterly  side  of  the  "  Great  Pond,"  in  the  old  Garrison  house,  that  stood 
on  land  now  owned  by  Lucius  Beebe,  Esq.,  and  was  the  same  house 
that  has  been  recently  purchased  and  removed  by  Mr.  Zenas  Perkins. 
This  young  Wakefield  married,  in  1750,  Dorcas  Pratt,  the  daughter  of 
his  master,  and  succeeded  to  the  homestead  ;  and  here,  in  that  old  Gar- 
rison house,  was  born  Thomas  Wakefield,  Jr.,  the  grandfather  of  our 
worthy  namesake. 

And  now,  in  conclusion,  on  this  day  sacred  to  liberty,  to  independ- 
ence, and  to  victory,  let  me  congratulate  my  fellow-citizens  that  we  are 
now  free  and  independent  in  name,  as  well  as  otherwise ;  that  we  now 
have  a  municipal  appellation  of  our  own,  the  reputation  and  good  char- 
acter of  which  are  committed  to  our  keeping.  Let  us  then  resolve,  at 
this  auspicious  hour,  that  all  our  future  municipal  acts  shall  be  such 
as  shall  promote  good  order,  intelligence,  humanity,  freedom,  and  right- 
eousness among  this  people,  and  shall  make  the  town  and  the  name  of 
"Wakefield,"  "a  joy,  an  honor,  and  a  praise  in  the  land." 

I  will  improve  this  opportunity,  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  this  people, 
to  thank  Heaven  for  inspiring  the  heart  of  our  munificent  friend  to  be 
thus  generous  to  his  fellow-citizens,  and  to  thank  our  friend  sincerely 
for  his  most  princely  gift.  We  would  likewise  remember,  in  this  con- 
nection, that  our  acknowledgments  are  also  due  to  that  other  generous 
and  respected  friend,  who,  in  addition  to  his  former  liberality,  has  prof- 
fered the  sum  of  $1,000  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  and  decorating 
the  halls  and  other  rooms  of  the  new  building.  Our  gratitude,  there- 
fore, to  both  of  them,  we  would  express  and  tender,  with  our  invoca- 
tions for  their  future  welfare  and  happiness. 

And  may  he  whose  name  we  this  day  adopt,  amid  these  imposing 
ceremonies,  and  may  we  who  have  adopted  it,  —  may  we  all  remember 
that  a  new  and  mutual  obligation  has  been  assumed  by  us,  never  to  per- 
form any  act  that  shall  demean  either  party  in  the  eyes  of  the  other,  or 
bring  a  stain  upon  the  now  fair  character  of  the  name  of  Wakefield. 

And  as  our  town  and  future  city  shall  go  onward  and  upward,  increas- 
ing in  population,  in  resources,  in  intelligence,  in  virtue,  and  an  honor- 
able fame,  as  we  hope  and  pray  that  she  may,  let  her  never  forget  the 
illustrious  citizen  who  has  done  so  much  to  enrich  and  adorn  the  place 
of  our  abode.  May  he  long  live  to  enjoy  the  sweet  reward  of  reflecting 


APPENDIX. 


74* 


that  he  has  performed  a  noble  and  a  useful  work.  May  our  historians 
make  fair  and  enduring  record  of  his  acts,  and  our  poets,  from  this  day 

forward, 

"  To  all  the  world  his  deeds  rehearse, 
And  praise  him  in  harmonious  verse." 

May  the  name  he  this  day  secures  "be  better  to  him  than  that  of  sons 
and  daughters  ";  may  he  ever,  have  "  that  good  name  that  is  better  than 
great  rithes"  and  be  found  among  those  whose  names  are  written  on 

high  ;  and  at  length, 

"  Serus  in  coelum  redeat" 

At  the  close  of  the  address,  —  which  was  finely  delivered  and  highly 
enjoyed  by  the  numerous  assembly,  —  the  band  again  played  an  appro- 
priate air ;  after  which  Mr.  John  S.  Eaton  delivered  the  following 

POEM. 

With  joyful  voices  join,  to  greet 

This  birthday  of  the  free  ; 
Each  glad  return,  more  dear  and  sweet,  — 

The  Nation's  Jubilee ! 

On  all  the  winds  her  banner  plays, 

Star-gemmed,  with  folds  of  light ; 
A  nation's  hopes  are  in  its  rays  - 

The  red,  the  blue,  the  white. 

Her  brilliant  flag,  whose  matchless  hues 

Float  'neath  the  Southern  Cross, 
And  o'er  the  whaler's  daring  crews, 

On  icy  waters  toss  ; 

Her  sacred  flag,  whose  azure  field  % 

The  lightest  zephyr  sways, 
And  cheers,  when  flying  squadrons  yield, 

The  hero's  dying  gaze. 

The  polished  guns,  from  plain  and  peak 

Opening  their  brazen  throats, 
A  people's  gladness  grandly  speak 

In  all  their  echoing  notes. 

Let  the  wild  tones,  unhindered,  fly 

From  North  to  Southern  wave  ; 
Our  flag,  unfolding,  gem  the  sky, — 

Bright  banner  of  the  brave  ! 


742 


APPENDIX. 

Thrice  blest  this  day,  whose  breath  of  balm 

Refreshing  blows,  and  free  : 
No  slave-step  'neath  the  Southern  palm, 

No  slave-ship  on  the  sea  ; 

Whose  peaceful  breath,  o'er  fragrant  groves 

Where  battling  columns  met, 
Only  the  orange  blossom  moves, 

And  lifts  the  violet. 

That  sacred  turf,  as  emerald  bright, 

So  rudely  torn  and  red, 
Closing  o'er  leaders  in  the  fight, 

Enshrines  heroic  dead. 

Brave  souls  !  with  martyrs'  zeal  endowed, 

'Neath  battle's  fiery  crest, 
With  triumph  flashing  from  the  cloud, 

Secured  the  victor's  rest. 

Bright,  starry  wings  adorn  our  sky, 

From  out  the  war's  eclipse, 
Blessed,  as  met  the  prophet's  eye 

In  the  apocalypse. 

As  this  fair  angel  sweeps  the  spheres,  — 

Angel  with  spotless  wing,  — 
The  glories  of  the  coming  years 

What  prophet-bard  will  sing  ? 

Our  brotherhood  of  mighty  States  ! 

Firm  on  a  truer  plan,  — 
For  them  a  clearer  day  awaits, 

With  brotherhood  of  man. 

Stretching  afar  their  gleaming  lines 
'Neath  Freedom's  ample  shields, 

Triumphal  art  above  them  shines, 
Achieved  on  bloodless  fields. 

Westward  the  star  of  empire  leads 

With  most  enticing  ray ; 
And  all  the  Prairie's  fruitful  meads 

Are  blossoming  to-day. 

Plains  rolling  boundless  as  the  seas, 

Whose  rich,  uncultured  sod 
Withholds  broad  harvests  from  the  breeze, 

By  the  fierce  Indian  trod. 


APPENDIX. 

Those  flowery  wilds  —  it  is  decreed — 

A  mightier  tread  must  feel  ; 
The  thunder  of  the  fiery  steed, 

Steam-winged  and  shod  with  steel. 

From  East  to  West,  with  tireless  feet, 

Shall  flaming  coursers  bear 
To  dwellers  'neath  the  torrid  heat, 

Products  of  Northern  air  ; 

Through  rocky  tunnels,  cold  and  grim, 

Marvels  of  modern  skill, 
Along  the  steep  Sierras'  rim,          * 

Reach  Californian  hill ; 

From  West  to  East,  'neath  giant  pines, 

And  mountain  summits  o'er, 
Bear  golden  treasure  from  her  mines 

To  the  Atlantic  shore  ; 

Along  the  firm  and  shining  rails, 

The  wealth  of  Orient  seas, 
Above  the  Indian's  fading  trails,  — 

Immense,  shall  roll  to  these. 

So,  Progress,  with  unfettered  limb, 

And  bold,  adorning  hand, 
Shall  cities  build  in  forests  dim, 

With  temples  deck  the  land  : 

Her  bands  of  steel  surround  the  zone  ; 

Her  conscious  wires,  the  seas  ; 
To  stainless  triumph  marching  on, 

And  grander  destinies. 

So,  down  the  ages,  as  they  sweep 

Unmarred  by  clashing  sword, 
Swells  the  blest  anthem,  strong  and  deep,  • 

Anthem  of  Earth's  accord  I 


Here,  on  the  bright,  rejoicing  day 

Such  hopeful  omens  crown, 
We  come,  a  pleasant  word  to  say 

For  our  dear,  native  town. 

Fair  town,  whose  legends,  strange  and  old, 
Wrought  from  her  bending  bowers, 

By  nobler  bard  have  been  enrolled, 
In  fairer  lines  than  ours. 


743 


744 


APPENDIX. 

His  graceful  pen,  with  wondrous  skill, 

Traced  those  ancestral  scenes, 
And  showed  where  dwelt,  on  plain  and  hill, 

The  ancient  Browns  and  Greens. 

Nor  these  alone  :  —  with  nicest  tact 

Those  hardy  settlers  limned ; 
Custom  and  form  and  word  and  act, 

In  flowing  numbers  hymned. 

For  us,  an  easier  task  remains, 

Befitting  humbler  powers : 
We  sing  the  beauty  of  her  plains, 

The  fragrance  of  her  flowers.  ;.;  N 

No  soft  Italian  scenes  we  boast, 

Our  summer  skies  less  clear ; 
But  prized,  the  grandeur  of  our  coast, 

Our  rocky  hillsides  dear. 

No  notes  of  foreign  praise  we  swell, 
Not,  "  Naples  view,  and  rest ! " 

Our  invitation  is,  —  "  Come,  dwell 
In  Wakefield,  and  be  blest !  " 


The  native  Indian,  dull  and  rude, 

Threading  the  forest  wild, 
Beside  our  lakes  enchanted  stood, 

Where  the  Great  Spirit  smiled. 

His  wigwam's  shield  along  these  streams 

In  rustic  beauty  sprang : 
Here,  in  the  twilight's  shadowy  gleams, 

His  dusky  daughters  sang. 

And  later,  here,  our  ancient  sires, 

By  the  same  waters  cheered, 
Over  the  Indian's  smouldering  fires, 

Their  scanty  dwellings  reared ; 

Fought  for  their  title  to  the  soil 

With  hungry  wolf  and  bear  ; 
And  where  the  savage  sought  his  spoil, 

Erected  house  of  prayer.      t 

All  honor  to  those  rugged  men, 

The  coming  needs  foresaw, 
And  laid  foundations  firmly  then, 

Of  libeity  and  law. 


APPENDIX. 

Their  children  here,  and  children's  sons, 

O'erspreading  hill  and  glen, 
Have  crowned  with  grace  the  work  begun 

By  those  uncultured  men  ; 

With  stately  dwellings  decked  the  slopes, 

With  neat,  attractive  homes  ; 
And  crested  the  fair  mountain-tops 

With  Learning's  ample  domes. 

Her  classic  sons,  from  thence  sent  forth, 

Superior  place  to  claim, 
Attest  their  rich,  unfailing  worth, 

With  ripe,  scholastic  fame. 

Sons,  absent  long,  this  day  returned 

To  childhood's  rural  seat, 
Where  kindling  fires  of  genius  burned, 

With  welcome  true,  we  greet 


From  this  smooth,  academic  ground, 
Whence  streams  of  knowledge  pour, 

On  smiling  valley  look  around, 
The  waving  heights  explore  1 

Broad,  fertile  fields  and  greenest  shores, 

With  sparkling  rim  of  light, 
To  generous  feast  from  Nature's  stores, 

Our  willing  feet  invite. 

From  rounded  Cedar's  airy  crest, 

View  lake,  with  leafy  hem, 
Two  fairy  islands  on  its  breast, 

Shining  a  crystal  gem, — 

The  sparkling  waters  of  Smith's  Pond 

(As  olden  records  say), 
While  the  green  hillside  steeps,  beyond, 

In  verdure  stfetch  away. 

Or  climb  to  Castle's  grander  cone, 

Firm  as  the  mountains  be  ; 
Around  —  the  forest's  swaying  zone, 

Beyond  — the  restless  sea. 

Broad  lines  of  woodland,  bending  down 
O'er  smooth  and  yielding  turf, 

Touch  the  bold  headland,  rough  and  brown, 
Swept  by  the  ocean  surf ; 

94 


746  APPENDIX. 

White  sails,  far  o'er  the  spires  of  Lynn, 
In  the  blue  distance  melt ; 

On  rocky  coast,  the  waves  roll  in 
And  clasp  with  shining  belt. 

Elate,  our  western  mount  ascend, 
Haloed  with  golden  beams  : 

Like  silver  shields  the  lakes  extend, 
Like  silver  threads  the  streams. 

Drink  beauty  there,  at  day's  sweet  close, 
While  the  bright  vision  waits, 

And  the  celestial  splendor  glows 
At  sunset's  purple  gates  ! 

Northward,  the  flowery  meadows  rest 
Soft  in  the  summer  air ; 

Beyond,  with  sunshine  on  her  crest, 
Our  mother,  Reading,  fair, 

Calm  and  sedate,  as  mother  may, 
Over  the  lake's  clear  tide, 

Watches  her  daughter's  prosperous  way, 
Arrayed  as  blooming  bride,  — 

Bride,  on  whose  flower-encircled  brow 
No  mark  of  years  we  trace  ; 

Clad  in  her  youthful  beauty  now, 
With  added  lines  of  grace. 

And  when,  complete,  her  bridal  gift, 

Munificent  and  fair, 
Heavenward  its  massive  towers  shall  lift 

In  the  caressing  air  . 

To  greet  the  mornings,  still  and  bright, 
Through  many  coming  days, 

Shall  all  the  people,  with  delight, 
Award  its  donor  praise. 

His  gift,  for  whom,  from  burning  plains, 
O'er  stormy  billows  rolled, 

Are  sent  those  slender,  magic  canes, 
His  touch  transmutes  to  gold  ; 

His  crowning  gift,  whose  lavish  hands, 
And  fresh,  persistent  powers, 

With  verdure  vests  our  level  lands, 
Our  thorny  wastes,  with  flowers ; 


APPENDIX. 

Who  answers  well  that  question  old  — 
"  What  is  there  in  a  name  ?  " 

An  answer,  clearly,  grandly  rolled, 
And  mounts  therewith  to  fame  ! 

With  smiles  go  forth  the  youthful  brides, 

Circled  with  fairest  flowers, 
Afar  from  home,  to  tempt  life's  tides  : 

Not  thus  we  offer  ours  ! 

Our  town  beloved,  our  cherished  pet, 

Our  darling  and  our  pride, 
In  golden  ring  her  name  is  set, 

We  keep  ourselves  the  bride  ! 

Our  pine-clad  hills  and  shadowy  brakes, 
And  flower-enamelled  lawns. 

Our  rocky  peaks  and  rippled  lakes, 
Bright  in  the  rosy  dawns  ; 

Our  darkling  dells  and  forest  plumes, 
Our  sprays  of  brilliant  leaves, 

Our  arching  elms  and  garden-blooms, 
Fair  in  the  golden  eves  ; 

Our  spotless  blossoms,  floating  fair 

Upon  the  crystal  waves, 
Our  glitt'ring  spires  in  sunlit  air, 

Our  fathers'  hallowed  graves, 

And  all  the  wealth  our  records  bear 

Of  old  historic  fame,  — 
All  these Ve  hold  with  strictest  care, 

And  yield,  alone,  our  name  I 


'Neath  the  bright  Future's  glowing  arch 

Of  soft,  unclouded  skies, 
What  grand  processions  gayly  march  ! 

What  startling  visions  rise  ! 

When  fifty  added  years  shall  bring 

Their  gifts  of  fair  renown, 
A  sweeter  bard  their  praise  shall  sing, 

And  nobler  works  shall  crown  ! 


747 


748  APPENDIX. 

The  city,  from  her  triple  hills, 
With  ocean-girdle  bound, 

Already  looks  towards  mountain  rills, 
Selecting  ampler  ground  j 

Has  gathered,  now,  rich  highland  farms, 
And,  overcrowded  thus, 

Northward  may  stretch  embracing  arms, 
And  Boston  come  to  us  ! 

Within  that  shining  circle  bound. 

Whose  polished  "Hub"  we  boast, 
Our  rustic  charms  no  more  be  found, 

And  our  new  name  be  lost ! 


From  this  clear  summit,  looking  on 
Towards  crowning  heights  of  grace, 

Our  thoughts  revert  to  pleasures  gone,  — 
The  vanished  years  retrace. 

From  out  the  shadowy  haunts  of  eld, 
From  ancient  roofs,  moss-grown. 

Arise  the  forms  those  years  beheld, 
And  swells  aerial  tone ; 

Forms,  lost  to  sight,  to  memory  dear, 

Those  mystic  chambers  fill ; 
Tones,  lost  to  earth,  from  purer  sphere 

Our  waiting  spirits  thrill  1 

As  the  fond  lovers  linger  long, 

Nor  haste  to  say  farewells, 
As  the  swan's  sad,  expiring  song 

In  sweetest  cadence  swells,  — 

So,  on  memories  fond,  intent, 

We  linger  with  the  past ; 
And  the  fair  name,  with  childhood  blent, 

Seems  sweetest  at  the  last ! 

Dear  name,  farewell  !     Our  task  is  o'er ; 

The  coming  glories  see  ! 
South  Reading,  henceforth,  nevermore,  — 

And  Wakefield  let  it  be  ! 


APPENDIX. 


749 


At  the  termination  of  the  literary  and  musical  exercises,  on  Academy 
Hill,  a  procession,  consisting  of  those  persons  who  were  intending  to 
participate  in  the  Celebration  Dinner,  was  formed,  and  marched  to  the 
dining  tent  which  had  been  erected  upon  the  Common. 

At  the  same  time  the  children  belonging  to  the  several  schools  of 
the  town  were  furnished  with  a  collation  in  the  Town  Hall. 

The  "  Mammoth  Tent,"  in  which  the  dinner  was  served,  covered 
sufficient  space  to  accommodate,  at  table,  two  thousand  guests ;  and 
the  dinner,  furnished  by  Mr.  A. .  A.  Currier  as  caterer,  proved  to  be 
an  ample,  satisfying,  and  enjoyable  entertainment  to  its  thousand  par- 
ticipants. 

Many  of  the  former  residents  of  South  Reading,  —  now  widely  sepa- 
rated, and  holding  honorable  positions  in  the  various  professions,  —  on 
this  day  revisiting  the  scenes  of  their  boyhood  as  guests,  surrounded 
the  table,  thereby  adding  as  much  to  their  own  enjoyment,  let  us  hope, 
as  did  their  presence  to  the  interest  and  success  of  the  celebration. 


N. 
READING     SOLDIERS'    MONUMENT. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Soldiers'  Monument  respectfully  submit  their 
doings  to  the  town,  with  the  action  the  town  have  taken  in  the  matter ; 
also  the  clause  of  the  Will  of  the  late  Abiel  Holden,  Esq.,  making  a 
bequest  for  the  same,  and  such  other  matter  in  relation  to  the  Monu- 
ment as  they  thought  might  be  of  interest  to  the  public. 

It  is  well  known  to  the  citizens  of  Reading  generally  that  Mr.  Hol- 
den took  a  lively  interest  in  our  soldiers. 

In  the  early  stages  of  the  Great  Rebellion,  he  was  very  anxious  to 
have  a  monument  erected,  while  he  lived,  to  the  memory  of  those  who 
were  killed*  in  battle  or  died  of  wounds  received,  or  of  disease  con- 
tracted while  in  the  line  of  their  duty.  He  offered  at  that  time  to  sub- 
scribe one  hundred  dollars  for  that  purpose,  but  it  being  suggested  to 
him  that  it  would  be  better  to  wait  till  the  close  of  the  war,  he  reluc- 
tantly dropped  the  subject  with  the  remark  that  he  should  not  live  to 
see  a  monument  erected  to  the  memory  of  our  soldiers'. 

But  he  was  so  strongly  impressed  with  the  justice  of  having  the 
monument  at  some  future  time,  that  he  made  in  his  will  the  generous 
gift  of  $500  for  that  purpose,  in  case  of  his  death  before  the  proper 
time  arrived  for  erecting  it. 


750 


APPENDIX. 


Mr.  Holden  did  not  live  to  see  the  monument  erected.  He  died 
Nov.  4,  1863,  aged  .65  years,  7  months,  and  25  days. 

At  a  town-meeting  held  March  7,  1864,  the  following  communication 
received  by  the  Selectmen  was  read  :  — 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Selectmen,  —  In  executing  the  Will  of  the 
late  Abiel  Holden,  we  hand  you  the  following  :  — 

"  I  appropriate  of  my  funds,  not  especially  bequeathed  by  my  said 
will,  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars,  and  give  the  same  to  said  town  of 
Reading,  in  trust,  and  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  and  erecting,  upon 
that  part  of  the  cemetery  in  said  Reading  called  Round  Hill,  a  monu- 
ment to  commemorate  the  deeds  and  perpetuate  the  memories  of  the 
soldiers  of  Reading  who  have  been  killed  in  battle  or  otherwise,  or  died 
from  disease  contracted,  or  wounds  received,  while  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States  and  in  line  of  duty  during  this  present  War  of  Rebellion, 
provided  that  within  two  years  next  after  my  decease  the  said  town  of 
Reading,  or  the  citizens  thereof,  shall  raise  the  further  sum  of  five  hun- 
dred dollars,  and  with,  the  said  one  thousand  dollars  shall  procure  a 
shaft  of  Italian  marble,  of  suitable  form  and  dimensions,  and  lay  the 
foundations,  and  commence  the  erection  of  the  same  upon  a  pedestal 
of  granite  on  said  Round  Hill,  and  shall  without  unnecessary  delay 
finish  the  erection  thereof,  and  cause  the  names  of  all  said  soldiers  to 
be  engraved  thereon,  with  their  ages  and  deaths,  and  also  appropriate 
memorials  of  their  military  service,  commencing  at  the  lower  part  of 
the  shaft  and  proceeding  upwards.  And  I  further  appoint  the  select- 
men of  said  town  of  Reading  trustees,  to  take  charge  of  procuring  and 
erecting  the  said  monument,  until  said  town  shall,  at  a  lawful  town 
meeting  called  by  a  warrant,  having  a  special  article  relating  to  this 
matter,  by  ballot,  choose  a  Board  of  Trustees  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 

complete  said  monument." 

ARKAID   T.   HOLDEN, 
CLINTON   B.    HOLDEN, 

WILLIAM  j.  HOLDEN; 

Executors  of  the  -will  of  Abiel  Holden. 

On  motion  of  William  J.  Wightman,  — 

Voted,  That  a  Committee  be  raised  to  investigate  the  subject  of  the 
aforesaid  proposition,  and  report  to  the  town  at  a  subsequent  meeting, 
the  best  manner  of  fulfilling  the  requirements  in  said  will,  either  by 
subscription  or  an  appropriation  by  the  town. 

Thomas  Sweetser,  James  S.  Campbell,  Jonathan  Frost,  Henry  G. 
Richardson,  and  Joel  M.  Howard  were  chosen. 


APPENDIX. 


751 


At  a  town-meeting  held  March  6,  1865,  the  Committee  presented  the 
following  report :  — 

The  Committee  chosen  March  7,  1864,  to  investigate  the  subject  of 
erecting  a  monument  to  commemorate  the  deeds  and  perpetuate  the 
memories  of  soldiers  of  Reading,  respectfully  recommend  that  the  town 
accept  the  legacy  of  five  hundred  dollars,  bequeathed  by  the  late  Abiel 
Holden,  Esq.,  for  that  purpose,  and  would  also  recommend  that  the 
town  appropriate  a  sum  not  less  than  five  hyndred  dollars,  nor  exceed 
ing  $I,O<DO,  for  the  purpose  of  complying  with  the  provisions  of  the  will 
of  the  said  Abiel  Holden,  Esq.,  in  relation  thereto. 

THOMAS   SWEETSER, 
JAMES   S.   CAMPBELL, 
JONATHAN   FROST, 
HENRY  G.  RICHARDSON, 

Committee. 

On  motion  of  William  J.  Wightman, — 

Voted,  That  the  town  accept  and  adopt  the  report. 

At  a  town-meeting  held  May  25,  1865,  the  following  article  was 
inserted  in  the  warrant :  — 

ARTICLE  4.  To  see  if  the  town  will  choose  trustees  to  take  charge 
of  erecting  the  Monument  to  Soldiers,  in  accordance  with  the  will  of 
the  late  Abiel  Holden,  Esq.,  or  what  they  will  do  in  relation  thereto. 

On  motion  of  William  J.  Wightman, — 
Voted,  To  choose  a  Board  of  Trustees. 

James  S.  Campbell,  Solon  A.  Parker,  and  Joseph  L.  Pratt  were 
chosen. 

The  Trustees  visited  several  cemeteries  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  the 
monuments  erected  in  them.  And  they  also  had  a  number  of  new 
designs  presented  to  them. 

After  they  had  selected  the  design,  the  principal  marble-workers  in 
Boston  and  vicinity  brought  in  proposals  for  building  the  monument 
The  contract  was  given  to  William  Johnson,  of  Maiden,  for  the  sum  of 
$1,500,  which  included  the  lettering  and  putting  the  monument  on  the 
lot  designated.  There  were  forty-six  names  put  on  the  monument,  with 
appropriate  inscriptions. 

In  justice  to  Mr.  Johnson,  the  Trustees  will  state  that  he  fulfilled  his 
contract  to  their  entire  satisfaction. 


752  APPENDIX. 

The  following  notice  was  printed  and  circulated  :  — 
The  Soldiers'  Monument  will  be  dedicated  on  Thursday,  October  5, 
1865. 

PROGRAMME   FOR  THE   OCCASION. 

A  procession,  accompanied  by  the  band  from  Fort  Warren,  will  be 
formed  on  the  Common  at  1.30  P.  M  ,  arranged  as  follows:  President 
of  the  Day,  Selectmen,  Public  Speakers,  Committee  of  Arrangements, 
a  Choir  of  Singers,  Families^of  deceased  Soldiers,  Returned  Soldiers, 
Schools  and  Citizens,  which  will  move  at  2  o'clock. 

ROUTE   OF   PROCESSION. 

From  the  Common,  through  Woburn,  Chute,  High,  Main,  Pleasant, 
Manning,  Salem,  and  Main  Streets,  through  the  Cemetery  to  the  Mon- 
ument, where  an  original  ode  by  Mrs.  P.  H.  Hanaford  will  be  sung, 
thence  to  the  Old  South  Church,  where  the  dedicating  Services  will 
commence  by  a  voluntary  on  the  organ,  followed  by  singing  an  original 
hymn  composed  by  Miss  Eliza  Evans  ;  other  appropriate  singing  will 
be  interspersed  throughout  the  services.  Reading  of  Scripture  by  Rev. 
W.  W.  Hayward,  prayer  by  Rev.  William  Barrows,  address  by  Rev.  W. 
H.  Willcox,  concluding  prayer  by  Rev.  H.  P.  Guilford. 

President  of  the  Day.  —  Edward  Appleton,  Esq. 

Chief  Marshal.  —  William  J.  Wightman,  Esq. 

Aids.  —  Capt.  John  H.  Jeffrey,  Capt.  J.  Warren  Cook,  James  McKay, 
Stillman  E.  Parker,  J.  Brooks  Leathe,  William  M.  Titus,  Albert  Nich- 
ols, B.  M.  Hartshorn,  Oliver  A.  Swain,  and  Solon  Bancroft. 

COMMITTEE   OF    ARRANGEMENTS. 

James  S.  Campbell,  Solon  A.  Parker,  Joseph  L.  Pratt,  Capt.  John  H. 
Jeffrey,  Capt.  J.  Warren  Cook,  Andrew  Howes,  William  Proctor,  and 
Daniel  B.  Lovejoy. 

READING,  Sept  30,  1865. 


The  services  were  mainly  conducted  in  accordance  with  the  above 
programme. 

Chaplain  A.  H.  Quint,  of  the  2d  Regt.  Mass.  Vols.,  and  C.  C.  Coffin 
(Carleton)  were  present  and  took  part  in  the  services. 

Address  by  Rev.  William  H.  Willcox,  delivered  at  the  dedication  of 
the  Soldiers'  Monument,  in  Reading,  Oct.  5,  1865  :  — 


APPENDIX. 


ADDRESS, 


753 


We  are  gathered  here  to-day,  my  friends,  to  dedicate,  not  merely  a 
monument  to  the  dead,  but  also  a  monitor  to  the  living.  That  marble 
shaft  is  not  simply  the  permanent  embodiment  of  our  admiration  and 
gratitude  for  the  forty-six  patriots  whose  names  it  enshrines.  It  shall 
be  also,  through  all  coming  years,  a  silent,  but  most  impressive, 
preacher  of  patriotism  to  the  successive  generations  of  our  town. 
Erected  by  the  generous  forethought  of  the  late  Abiel  Holden,  and 
the  grateful  co-operation  of  the  citizens  of  Reading, — the  gift  of  the 
dead  and  the  living,  to  commemorate  departed  worth,  —  it  shall  ever 
stand  between  the  living  and  the  dead,  not  only  to  perpetuate  the  mem- 
ory of  the  fallen,  but  also  to  rouse  and  stimulate  the  living  to  whatever 
of  achievement  or  endurance  our  country  may  demand. 

But  to-day  it  speaks  to  us  emphatically  of  the  past.  It  reminds  us 
of  the  four  years  of  strife  and  blood  through  which,  at  last,  the  God  of 
our  fathers  has  triumphantly  brought  us.  It  reminds  us  of  the  brave 
men  who  so  nobly  turned  their  backs,  at  their  country's  call,  upon  the 
safety  and  comfort  of,home,  and  exposed  themselves  so  cheerfully  to  all 
the  toils  and  privations  of  the  camp  and  the  march,  and  to  all  the 
hazards  of  the  battle-field.  It  reminds  us  of  the  untold  sufferings  they 
have  endured  in  our  behalf.  It  tells  us  of  some  wounded  and  dying 
upon  the  bloody  field,  with  no  sympathizing  friend  to  alleviate  their 
anguish,  or  bear  their  parting  message  ot  the  loved  ones  at  home.  It 
tells  of  some  cast,  by  the  fortunes  of  war,  as  prisoners  into  the  hands  of 
a  merciless  foe,  by  whom  the  simplest  necessaries  of  life  were  denied 
them,  until  starvation  freed  them  from  their  tormentors.  It  tells  of 
some  lingering  long,  through  weary  days  and  sleepless  nights,  in  the 
soldiers'  hospital ;  and  of  some,  returning  at  length  to  home  and 
friends,  in  the  fond  hope  of  years  of  health  and  prosperity,  sinking 
under  the  assaults  of  disease,  which  they  had  brought  with  them  from 
the  swamps  of  the  South.  Their  bodies  slumber  in  far  distant  fields, 
some  around  us  amid  the  graves  of  their  fathers,  and  some  in  the  soil 
which  they  baptized  and  made  sacred  with  their  life-blood.  And  thus 
they  have  in  common  with  the  thousands  of  their  comrades  who  sleep, 
upon  ever}'  battle-field,  consecrated  to  a  new  life  the  whole  land  for 
which  they  died.  Those  Southern  States,  that  in  their  madness  would 

1  When  this  address  was  written,  it  was  with  the  expectation  that  it  was  to  be  deliv- 
ered in  the  open  air.     The  request  was  made  that  it  should  not  exceed  twenty  minutes 
in  length.     This  must  account  for  the  absence  of  historical  and  biographical  facts 
which  otherwise  the  writer  would  gladly  have  presented. 
95 


754 


APPENDIX. 


have  broken  away  from  the  nation,  have  not  only  failed  in  the  suicidal 
attempt, —  they  are  bound  to  us  now  more  strongly  and  tenderly  than 
ever  before.  Millions  of  Northern  hearts  feel  to-day  an  interest  in 
those  States  such  as  they  never  felt  before  the  war, —  such  as  they 
probably  never  would  have  felt  had  not  the  war  arisen  ;  for  those 
States  have  become  a  vast  cemetery,  sacred  with  hallowed  and  tearful 
associations.  Myriads  of  homes,  all  through  the  loyal  States,  have 
their  choicest  treasures  deposited  in  the  valleys  of  Virginia  and  Ten- 
nessee, and  on  the  bloody  plains  of  Georgia  and  Mississippi ;  and  thus 
North  and  South  are  henceforth  bound  together,  not  only  by  mountain 
chains  and  navigable  rivers,  not  only  by  a  common  Constitution  and  a 
common  flag,  but  also  by  such  unseen  but  indissoluble  ties  as  bind  the 
sorrowing  heart  to  the  sacred  spot  where  rest  the  bones  of  its  honored 
and  beloved. 

But  it  is  not  of  the  dead  alone  that  this  monument  speaks,  but  also 
of  the  mourning  kindred,  of  the  widows  and  the  orphans  they  have 
left  behind  them.  Some  of  these  are  with  us  still,  some  within  the 
sound  of  my  voice  to-day.  In  the  name  of  the  citizens  of  Reading,  for 
whom  I  speak,  I  tender  them  our  sincerest  condolence  and  sympathy 
over  their  loss  and  ours.  They  have  been  called  to  suffer  more  deeply 
than  we ;  for  the  war  has  entered  their  homes  and  their  hearts,  and 
inflicted  wounds  which  no  business  prosperity,  and  no  lapse  of  time, 
can  ever  wholly  heal.  To  the  loved  care  and  blessing  of  Him  who 
hath  promised  to  be  the  widow's  God  and  the  Father  of  the  fatherless, 
would  we  prayerfully  commend  them,  with  the  fervent  hope  that  their 
grief  may  be  blended  and  softened  with  something  of  patriotic  joy  that 
they  have  been  permitted  to  Coffer  such  precious  sacrifices  upon  their 
country's  altar. 

But  while  this  voiceful  marble  speaks  to  us  thus,  my  friends,  of 
what  our  fallen  soldiers  have  done  and  suffered  for  you  and  for  me,  for 
your  children  and  for  mine,  may  it  also  speak  and  speak  to  willing 
ears  of  what  we  owe  to  the  families  they  have  left  behind  them.  It 
has  been  said  that  "  Republics  are  proverbially  ungrateful."  Citizens 
of  Reading,  let  not  the  taunt  find  any  support  whatever  in  our  treat- 
ment of  the  families  of  our  fallen  soldiers.  We  ought  most  cheerfully 
to  regard  them  as  a  sacred  trust,  put  under  our  guardianship  by  the 
noble  men  who  have  gone  forth  to  battle  and  to  die  in  defence  of  our 
common  liberties  and  our  common  country.  And-it  is  due  to  ourselves, 
not  less  than  to  our  fallen  townsmen,  —  it  is  due  to  the  patriotism  of 
coming  generations,  which  we  ought  not  to  stifle,  but  to  encourage  and 
develop,  —  that  we  do  everything  that  can  consistently  _be  done  to 


APPENDIX. 


755 


secure  the  comfort,  the  education,  the  prosperity  in  life  of  those  whose 
natural  guardians  have  laid  down  their  lives  for  us.  I  know  not  how 
it  may  be  with  others ;  but  for  myself,  I  can  truly  say  that  I  scarcely 
ever  see  a  soldier  in  his  war-worn  uniform  of  blue  without  a  sense  of 
personal  indebtedness,  and  a  feeling  of  personal  gratitude,  arising  in 
my  heart  towards  him.  I  feel  somewhat  as  I  should  if  he  had  rushed 
through  the  flames  of  a  burning  house,  and  at  the  risk  of  his  own  life 
saved  my  children  from  a  horrible  death.  And  so,  in  a  measure, 
ought  we  all  to  feel  towards  the  widows  and  the  children  of  our  unre- 
turning  soldiers,  showing  at  once  our  gratitude  to  the  heroic  dead,  and 
our  own  manhood  in  our  treatment  of  the  dependent  ones  they  have  left 
to  our  sympathy  and  protection. 

But  not  of  the  dead  alone,  nor  of  the  families  of  the  dead,  does  this 
monument  speak.  Though  none  but  the  names  of  the  fallen  are  chiselled 
upon  its  sides,  and  though  it  is  "  dedicated  to  the  sons  of  Reading  who 
died  for  their  country  in  the  Great  Rebellion,"  yet  should  it  speak  to  us 
of  the  living  also ;  of  those  who  have  borne  the  same  burdens  and 
exposed  themselves  to  the  same  dangers,  and  yet  have  returned  to  us 
safe  from  amidst  them  all.  For  it  is  owing  to  no  lack  of  courage,  to  no 
shrinking  from  the  post  of  duty  or  of  danger,  that  these  too  were  not 
numbered  among  the  dead.  They  have  marched  the  same  long  and 
weary  marches ;  they  have  bravely  and  often  faced  the  same  stubborn 
foe ;  they  have  fought  side  by  side  upon  the  same  battle-fields  with  their 
fallen  comrades.  They  are  as  worthy  of  our  gratitude  and  praise  as  if 
their  bones  were  now  resting  upon  the  field  of  Gettysburg  or  the  Wilder- 
ness. Most  heartily  do  we  tender  them  our  thanksgiving  to-day.  This 
monument  we  dedicate  is  a  monument  to  their  heroism  and  love  of 
country,  as  well  as  to  the  patriotism  of  those  who  are  no  longer  with  us. 
It  shall  speak  to  us  of  the  living  defenders 'of  our  liberties  as  well  as  of 
the  dead.  It  shall  help  us,  I  trust,  to  remember  the  debt  of  gratitude 
we  owe  to  those  who  have  fearlessly  hazarded  life  and  limb  in  the 
nation's  defence,  as  well  as  to  those  whose  lives  have  been  actually  paid 
as  the  price  of  our  country's  redemption. 

A  monument  is  usually  the  expression  of  regard  and  sorrow.  And 
so  it  is  with  this.  It  is  the  expression  in  marble  of  our  townsmen's 
grateful  regard  for  those  whose  names  the  monument  hands  down  to 
posterity,  and  of  our  sympathizing  sorrow  with  the  families  and  kin- 
dred whom  their  death  has  caused  to  mourn.  The  early  loss  of  so 
many  of  our  young  men,  who  have  shown  by  the  heroism  of  their  death 
that  they  were  so  fit  to  live,  is  surely  an  occasion  for  sorrow.  And  yet 
1  cannot  look  upon  that  monument  as  an  expression  of  grief  alone,  but 


756 


APPENDIX. 


also  of  pride  and  rejoicing.  The  darkness  of  our  sorrow  is  but  the 
shadow  of  a  great  joy.  If  it  saddens  us  to  remember  that  forty-six  of 
our  young  men  have  been  sacrificed  in  this  war,  it  fills  us  with  patriotic 
pride  and  pleasure  to  remember  the  nobleness  of  the  cause  to  which 
their  lives  have  been  given. 

In  the  history  of  ancient  Rome,  we  are  told  that  a  vast  chasm,  open- 
ing in  the  very  heart  of  the  city,  filled  its  inhabitants  with  anxiety  and 
alarm.  All  efforts  to  fill  it  were  vain.  But  on  consulting  the  sooth- 
sayers (the  historian  tells  us),  they  declared  that  if  the  Roman  com- 
monwealth was  to  be  everlasting,  the  most  valuable  thing  that  Rome 
possessed  must  be  sacrificed  to  this  yawning  chasm.  On  hearing  this 
answer,  the  young  hero,  Marcus  Curtius,  deeming  that  Rome  owned 
nothing  more  valuable  than  the  lives  of  her  young  men,  cheerfully 
offered  himself  for  the  sacrifice.  Arraying  himself  in  full  armor,  and 
mounting  his  war-horse,  he  leaped  into  the  chasm  and  disappeared. 
Its  horrid  jaws  at  once  closed  over  the  victim,  and  Rome  was  again 
peaceful  and  prosperous.  But  the  name  of  Marcus  Curtius  was  not 
forgotten.  For  ages  it  was  treasured  and  honored  by  the  nation  with 
exultant  pride.  His  family  instead  of  sorrowing  over  his  loss  triumphed 
and  gloried  in  his  sublime  death. 

The  Roman  fable  has  become  an  American  fact.  The  demon  of 
slavery  has  opened  through  the  heart  of  our  republic  a  yawning  chasm, 
which  threatened  to  devour  not  only  our  prosperity  and  peace  but  our 
very  existence  as  a  nation  ;  and  one  of  the  most  sublime  spectacles 
the  history  of  any  people  ever  saw,  was  the  zealous  promptness  with 
which,  not  one  alone,  but  thousands  upon  thousands  of  our  young  men 
came  forward,  like  Marcus  Curtius,  to  offer  themselves  in  sacrifice,  if 
necessary,  for  the  closing  of  the  chasm  and  the  riveting  of  our  Union. 

The  work  has  been  accomplished.  The  chasm  has  become  the  grave 
of  Slavery  itself,  and  our  Union  is  more  firmly  compacted  than  ever 
before.  And  now,  are  we  to  look  upon  the  death  of  those  who  have 
fallen  in  this  sublime  service  with  nothing  but  sorrow  and  mourning? 
Shall  we  not  rather  rejoice,  as  did  the  family  of  Curtius,  with  a 
patriotic  joy,  that  our  sons  and  brothers  have  died  such  a  noble  death 
in  such  a  noble  cause  ?  And,  if  the  Roman  Senate  erected  over  that 
closed  abyss  a  triumphal  column  to  give  expression,  not  to  their  grief, 
but  to  their  joy  and  pride  that  Rome  had  given  birth  to  such  a  hero 
as  Curtius,  should  not  we,  much  more,  look  upon  this  monument  we 
dedicate  to-day  as  an  embodiment  of  our  pride  and  rejoicing  that  so 
many  of  the  sons  of  Reading  should  have  been  willing  to  give  life  or 
limb  for  their  country  ?  It  is,  indeed,  something  of  which  to  be  proud, 


APPENDIX.  757 

—  something  over  which  we  may,  and  should,  rejoice  with  a  patriot's 
joy.     And  in  all  the  years  that  are  before  us,  during  which  (as  we  may 
rationally  hope)  our  regenerated  nation  is  to  stand  before  the  world  as 
this  marble  shaft  stands  on  yonder  hill,  no  longer,  like  Nebuchadnez- 
zar's image,  part  of  iron  and  part  of  clay,  but  homogeneous  throughout, 

—  pure,  erect,  symmetrical,  and  strong,  based  upon  the  eternal  gran, 
ite  of  justice  and  freedom,  and  crowned  with  the  proud  symbol  of  our 
nationality,  spreading  its  guardian  wings  over  the  whole ;  in  all  these 
coming  years  it  will  be  an  occasion  of  grateful  pride  for  our  children, 
and  our  children's  children,  to  point  to  this  marble  emblem  of  our  na- 
tion's purity  and  power,  as  a  monument  to  the  patriotism  of  Reading 
in  the  dark  days  of  our  country's  peril. 

And  while  recording  the  patriotism  of  the  past,  may  it  perpetuate 
this  same  spirit  for  the  future.  May  it  inspire  our  young  men  with  a 
new  readiness  for  self-sacrifice  and  a  new  love  for  their  country.  May 
it  aid  them  to  see  and  to  feel  that  it  is  a  noble  thing  to  suffer  or  to  die 
in  the  cause  of  humanity.  May  it  teach  them  —  may  it  teach  us  all  — 
that,  precious  as  are  life  and  home  and  friends,  there  are  things  far 
more  precious  still ;  and  that  no  price  is  too  great  to  pay  for  personal 
manhood  and  nobility,  or  for  the  triumph  of  national  righteousness  and 
constitutional  freedom. 

ODE  BY  MRS.  P.  H.  HANAFORD. 

Air—  "  Pleyel's  Hymn." 

To  this  sacred  spot  we  come, 
Half  triumphant,  half  in  gloom, 
Thinking  of  the  brave  and  blest 
Gone  to  share  a  patriot's  rest 

Now  the  marble  shaft  we  rear,  — 
Hero-names  recorded  there, 
Telling  to  all  coming  Time 
Of  their  patriot  deeds  sublime. 

And  though  far  from  us  repose 
Some  that  bravely  met  our  foes, 
Near  or  far,  they  all  shall  be 
Honored  by  the  pure  and  free. 

Lord  !  may  we  life's  conflict  meet, 
As  they  went,  with  willing  feet ; 
Crowned  as  victors  may  we  rise, 
Meet  our  brave  ones  in  the  skies  ' 


758  APPENDIX. 

HYMN   BY  MISS  ELIZA  EVANS. 

Tune—"  Shining  Shore." 

Our  fall'n  heroes,  glorious  dead  ! 

In  Freedom's  cause  enduring ; 
Through  toil,  privation,  prisons,  death, 

Our  liberties  securing. 
For  them  we  raise  the  sculptured  pile, 

Their  names  we  '11  fondly  cherish 
With  deep  devotion  in  our  hearts, 

When  other  names  shall  perish. 

When  in  the  nation's  darkest  hour, 

Rank  Treason's  host  assailed, 
Then  Freedom's  champions  quick  arose, 

And  mightily  prevailed. 
Oppression  from  her  seat  was  hurled, 

And  Right  became  victorious  ; 
And  lasting  days  of  peace  shall  crown 

The  victory  so  glorious. 

The  loved  have  fall'n,  —  the  true  and  brave 

The  fearful  numbers  swelling : 
Our  mourning  households,  stricken,  lone, 

The  tale  of  woe  are  telling. 
On  battle  plain,  by  treason  slain, 

Their  precious  dust  is  sleeping ; 
God  knows  His  own,  and  He,  our  trust, 

That  hallowed  dust  is  keeping. 

Our  Honored  Dead  !  let  history's  page 

Record  their  deeds  of  glory, 
That  generations  yet  unborn 

May  know,  and  read  the  story. 
When  with  our  Heroes  we  shall  meet, 

Beside  the  peaceful  river, 
To  God,  our  great  Deliverer's  praise, 

We  '11  strike  our  harps  forever. 


JAMES  S.  CAMPBELL,  ^ 
SOLON  A.  PARKER,      >•  Trustees. 
JOSEPH  L.  PRATT,       ) 


APPENDIX. 


759 


O. 

NAMES  OF  THE  OWNERS  OR  OCCUPANTS 

OF  DWELLING-HOUSES  IN  THE  FIRST  PARISH  (NOW  WAKEFIEI.D)  IN  1765,  WITH 

THE  NAMES  OF  THOSE  WHO  OCCUPIED  THE  SAME  HOUSES,  OR 

SITES,  IN  1795,  IN  I8l2»  AND  IN  '865,  OR  LATER. 


1765. 

Rev.  Wm.  Hobby. 
Samuel  Poole. 
James  Barrett. 
Eben'r  Nichols. 
John  Vinton. 
Cornelius  Wotton. 


Sam'l  Felch. 
Michael  Sweetser. 
Isaac  Smith. 
Benja.  Smith. 
Jona.  Evans. 
Daniel  Gould. 
Richard  Upham, 
Wm.  Green,  Sen'r. 
Wm.  Green,  Jr. 
Thos.  Green. 
Capt.  Dan'l  Green. 
Do.  old  house. 
Lt.  John  Walton. 
James  Smith. 
John  Smith. 
Amos  Boardman. 


1795. 

Rev.  Caleb  Prentiss. 
Wid.  Sam'l  Poole. 
Nathan  Eaton. 
Thos.  Rayner. 

Vinton. 

Cornelius  Sweetser. 

Paul  Sweetser. 
Reuben  Eaton. 

Sweetser. 

Dr.  John  Hart. 
Ebenezer  Smith. 
Jona.  Evans. 

Gould. 

Wid.  Spear. 
Aaron  Green. 
Aaron  Green. 
Daniel  Green. 

Green. 

Daniel  Green. 

Walton. 

H.  Richardson. 
T.  Emerson. 
Benj.  Emerson. 


Capt.  Sam  Bancroft.   Thos.  Green. 


Jona.  Poole,  Jr. 
Thos.  Wiley. 
Nath.  Wiley. 
Ephr'm  Weston. 
Noah  Eaton. 
Wm.  Gould. 

Wm.  Stimpson. 
Thos.  Burnap. 

Thos.  Emerson. 
Joseph  Underwood. 
Dr.  Oliver  Swain, 

Do. 

Thos.  Parker. 
Nath.  Swain. 
Capt.    John    Swain 

and  son. 

Jeremiah  Brown. 
Nath.  Brown. 
John  Walton. 
Jotham  Walton. 
Jona.  Brown. 
Jona.  Cowdry. 


Jona.  Poole. 
James  Wiley. 
Nath.  Wiley. 

Lilley  Eaton. 
Wm.  Gould. 
Jere'h  Bryant. 
John  Gould. 
Jere'h  Brown. 

John  Sweetser. 

Do. 
Oliver  Swain. 

Lewis. 

Dea.  T.  Parker. 
Jos.  Burditt 
Jacob  Parker. 

Benj.  Peters. 
J.  Brown. 
O.  Walton. 
Oliver  Walton. 

Walton. 

Oliver 'Pope. 


1812. 

Burrage  Yale. 
Stephen  Hale's  Inn. 
Aaron  Bryant 
John  Rayner. 
Samuel  Wiley. 
Cornelius  Sweetser. 
Joseph  Bryant. 
Paul  Sweetser. 
Pomp  Putamia. 
Paul  Sweetser,  Jr. 
Dr.  John  Hart. 
Dr.  Hart's  old  house. 
Samuel  Evans. 
Tenement  house. 
John  Waitt 
Aaron  Green. 
Aaron  Green. 
Chas.  Green. 
Reuben  Green. 
Nathan  Green. 
Beni.  Walton. 
Ezek'l  Oliver. 
T.  Emerson. 
Benj.      and     Peter 

Emerson 
Thos.  and  Jeremiah 

Green. 

Nath'l  Wiley. 
James  Wiley. 
Eli  Wiley. 
Caleb  Eaton. 
Jacob  Eaton, 
'fohn  Gould, 
fere.  Bryant 
Lilley  Eaton. 
Jer'h  Brown. 

John  Sweetser. 

Do. 
Thos.  Swain. 

T.  Parker. 
Wid.  Burditt. 
Issachar  StowelL 

Wid.  Peters. 
John  Brown,  Jr. 
Oliver  Walton,  Jr. 
( Hiver  Walton. 
A.  Hawkcs. 
Col.  Jas.  Hartshorn. 


1865,  or  later. 

J.  F.  Hartshorne. 
Taken  down. 
Aaron  Bryant 
Dr.  J.  G.  Brown. 
Willis'  Building. 
Quanapowitt  House 
S.  O.  Richardson. 
Cyrus  Wakefield. 
Adam  Hawkcs. 
Asa  N.  Sweetser. 
Taken  down. 

Do. 

Do. 

Ezekiel  Pitman. 
P.  H.  Sweetser. 
Chas.  W.  Green. 
James  Lord. 
C.  W.  Green, 
Judge  Nash. 
A.  Drake,  &c. 

Mr.  Oliver. 
Almshouse. 


C.  Wakefield 
Tenement  house. 
Leon'd  Wiley. 
Mrs.  David  Wiley. 
Irish  family. 

Mrs.  Spaulding. 
Tenement  house. 
Taken  down. 
A.  Young. 
Eunice  Eaton. 
John    and    William 

Brown. 

Dr.  Cushman. 
Dana  Clayes. 

D.  Batchelder. 
A.  Foster. 
Suel  Winn. 

Wood. 

Issachar      Stowcll's 

old  house. 
Ed.  Upton. 
H.  Eaton. 

Austin. 

Oliver  Walton,  Jr. 
1).  P.  Kmc-rson. 
Col.  f.  Hartshorn. 


766 


APPENDIX, 


James  Emerson.         J.  Emerson. 

J.  Emerson,  Jr. 

J.  E.  Emerson. 

Eben'r  Gould,              Dan'l  Gould. 

Charles  Gould. 

Clarissa  Gould. 

Capt.  John  Goodwin.  J.  Goodwin. 

Wid.  J.  Nichols. 

J.  Eustis. 

Thos.  Hay.                   Amos  Boardman. 

Amos  Boardman. 

Mrs.  Benj.  Emerson. 

Dr.  Wm.  Hay.            Dr.  John  Hay. 

Dr.  John  Hay. 

Thos.  Damon.              E.  Eaton. 

Benj.  Swain. 

Mrs.  V.  Holt 

Benj.  Hartshorn.        James  Hartshorn. 

James    and  Jer'h 

Jos.  Hartshorn. 

Hartshorn. 

Eben'r  Damon.            Phineas  Parker. 

Suel  Winn. 

Mrs.  Winn. 

Widow  Lambert        Will'm  Lambert 

David  Smith 

Tenement  house. 

Jeremiah  Bryant.        J.  Bryant 

Wid.  J.  Bryant 

Taken  down. 

James  Bryant              Dea.  Francis  Smith. 

James  Bouttell. 

Do. 

Capt  Johnson. 

Davis  Foster. 

Burnt. 

Nath'l  Cowdrey.         Nath'l  Cowdrey. 

Aaron  Cowdrey. 

H.  L.  Eaton. 

Cap.  John  Goodwin.  James  Nichols. 

Wm.  Beard  &  Co. 

M.  F.  Leslie. 

Joseph  Gould.            J.  Gould. 

Wid.  Newhall. 

J.  F.  Emerson. 

Joseph  Emerson.        Joseph  Emerson. 

Eben'r  Nelson. 

Hon.  Tho.  Emerson. 

John  Batchelder.         T.  Evans. 

Thos.  Evans. 

Tenement  house. 

Munroe,  formerly  of  NewhalL 

Wm.  Stimpson. 

Mrs.  F.  B.  Eaton. 

Nichols. 

i  • 

John  Batchelder.        J.  Nutting. 

Jos.  Corditt 

Removed. 

Gen.  Benj.  Brown.      B.  Brown,  Esq. 

Thos.  Clement 

Lucius  Beebe. 

Joseph  Brown.            J.  Smith. 

Do.  farm-house. 

Taken  down. 

John  Pratt                   Wid.   Nichols,  of 

Tenement  house. 

L.  Beebe. 

Salem. 

Dea.  B'wn  Emerson.  Wid.  Edes. 

James  Gould. 

Dr.  F.  P.  Kurd. 

John  Nichols.              David  Smith. 

Noah  Smith. 

Tenement—  C.  W. 

James  Woodward.      T.  Stimpson. 

Penniman&Tileston. 

W.  Stimpson's  heirs. 

Wm.  Eaton.                 Hill. 

Cornelius  Sweetser. 

Ensign   Hopkinson.   Dea.  Hopkins. 

Joseph  Hopkins. 

E.  Sumner  Hopkins. 

P. 

DEDICATION   OF   WAKEFIELD   HALL. 

The  dedicatory  exercises  of  the  new  Town  House  occurred  on 
Wednesday,  Feb.  22,  1871. 

The  day  was  pleasant,  fulfilling  in  this  respect  the  fondest  anticipa- 
tions, and  the  fact  that  it  was  the  anniversary  of  Washington's  birth 
made  the  selection  all  the  more  appropriate. 

Though  business  in  town  was  generally  suspended,  the  stores  closing 
at  an  early  hour,  our  streets  throughout  the  entire  day  never  presented 
a  more  animated  appearance.  Visitors  were  present,  not  only  from 
the  towns  adjoining,  but  from  Lynn,  Chelsea,  Cambridge,  Salem,  Pea- 
body,  and  other  places  even  more  distant. 

The  mansion  of  Mr.  Wakefield  was  open  during  the  day,  and  hospi- 
talities were  dispensed  to  all  visitors. 

Though  the  exercises  did  not  commence  until  two  o'clock,  the  people 
began  to  assemble  at  the  building  at  half-past  twelve  ;  and  when  the 
doors  were  opened,  at  half-past  one,  a  vast  audience  had  assembled, 
who  eagerly  made  their  way  through  the  spacious  entrance  and  up  the 


APPENDIX. 


76l 


wide  stairways,  and  in  less  than  fifteen  minutes  every  available  seat 
and  standing -position  in  the  Hall  was  occupied,  —  the  galleries  being 
filled  with  the  delighted,  expectant  faces  of  the  children  from  the  public 
schools.  Every  aisle,  nook,  and  corner,  together  with  the  stairways, 
corridors,  and  anterooms,  were  thronged  ;  and  the  number  present 
could  not  have  been  less  than  two  thousand. 

In  the  centre  of  the  rear  gallery  was  stationed  the  Wakefield  Brass 
Band. 

At  the  appointed  time  the  President  of  the  day,—  Hon.  P.  H.  Sweet- 
ser,  —  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Esq.,  the  town  officers,  and  distinguished  in- 
vited guests,  made  their  appearance  on  the  .stage. 

The  exercises  commenced  by  the  playing  of  "  Hail  Columbia  "  by 
the  Band. 

Mr.  Sweetser  then  said :  — 

FELLOW-CITIZENS  :  On  this  national  holiday,  this  anniversary  of  the 
birthday  of  Washington,  we  have  assembled  to  dedicate  this  edifice. 
The  service  seems  to  me  eminently  appropriate  to  the  day  ;  for  I  re- 
gard this  splendid  structure,  with  all  its  grand  purposes,  one  of  tl\e 
legitimate  fruits  of  the  free,  paternal  government  of  our  country, — a 
government  under  which  laudable  ambition  and  worthy  enterprise  are 
better  stimulated  and  rewarded*  than  in  any  other  country  on  the  face 
of  the  globe ;  a  government,  for  which  and  all  its  attendant  bless- 
ings, we  are  under  greater  obligation  to  Washington  than  to  any  other 
human  being.  It  is  proper  on  this  occasion  that  we  acknowledge  the 
Infinite  Giver  of  all  our  benefits. 

Prayer  was  then  offered  by  Rev.  Charles  R.  Bliss,  after  which  "  Hail 
to  Thee,  Liberty,"  was  finely  sung  by  a  select  Choir. 

The  following  Report  of  the  Building  Committee  was  then  submitted 
by  the  Secretary,  Daniel  Allen,  Esq. :  — 

FELLOW-CITIZENS  :  It  will  be  well  remembered  that,  during  the  year 
1867,  the  erection  of  a  Soldiers'  Monument  and  the  building  of  a  new 
Town  House  were  matters  that  were  freely  discussed  among  our  citi- 
zens, and  that  during  the  year  a  Soldiers'  Monument  Association  was 
organized,  and  a  small  amount  of  funds  raised  towards  carrying  out 
the  purposes  of  the  Association. 

At  a  town-meeting  held  April  15,  1867,  an  article  appeared  in  the 

warrant,  to  see  what  action  the  town  would  take  in  regard  to  erecting 

a  Soldiers'  Monument ;  and  the  subject  was  disposed  of  by  choosing  a 

Committee,  consisting  of  Hon.  Lilley  Eaton,  B.  F.  Bancroft,  James  M. 

96 


762 


APPENDIX. 


Sweetser,  James  F.  Mansfield,  P.  H.  Sweetser,  James  Oliver,  Cyrus 
Wakefield,  and  Dr.  S.  O.  Richardson,  to  take  the  whole  matter  into  con- 
sideration, and  report  at  the  next  town  meeting.  * 

At  a  town-meeting  held  Nov.  2,  1867,  the  above  committee  reported, 
that  they  had  not  been  able  to  agree  upon  any  definite  plan  in  regard 
to  a  monument,  and  requested  further  time  to  consider  the  subject. 

At  a  town-meeting  held  Jan.  20,  1868,  the  committee  reported,  in- 
stead of  the  erection  of  a  Soldiers'  Monument,  that  they  had  the  pleas- 
ure to  say  to  the  town,  that  one  of  our  patriotic  and  generous  citi- 
zens had  proposed  to  the  town,  through  the  committee,  to  donate  to 
it  a  lot  of  land  on  the  Noah  Smith  lot,  on  Main  Street,  of  suitable 
size  and  surroundings  for  a  Town  House  ;  also,  in  addition  to  the 
above  donation,  a  sum  not  less  than  Thirty  Thousand  Dollars,  —  and 
an  additional  sum  of  Five  Thousand  more,  if  necessary  —  for  the  pur- 
pose of  erecting  a  Town  House,  of  sufficient  capacity  to  furnish  a  suit- 
able Hall  for  town-meetings  and  public  lectures,  a  Soldiers'  Memorial 
Hall,  Room  for  the  Town  Library,  Town  Officers'  Rooms,  and  Rooms 
for  Military  and  Municipal  purposes. 

This  committee  also  reported  that  another  of  our  wealthy  and  lib- 
eral citizens  proposed  to  donate  the  sum  of  One  Thousand  Dollars, 
provided  the  house  was  located  on  said  Noah  Smith  lot,  for  the  purpose 
of  adorning  and  furnishing  the  new  Town  House. 

The  town  then  unanimously  voted  to  accept  both  of  the  munificent 
donations,  and  with  much  enthusiasm  passed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the 
generous  donors.  At  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  Wakefield,  a  Building 
Committee  was  chosen  to  carry  out  his  proposition  to  the  town,  and 
the  following  persons  were  chosen  that  committee :  Cyrus  Wakefield, 
Dr.  Solon  O.  Richardson,  Hon.  Lilley  Eaton,  Daniel  Allen,  P.  H. 
Sweetser,  Dr.  J.  D.  Mansfield,  and  Thomas  Emerson,  Jr. 

FEBRUARY  22.  The  committee  met  at  the  house  of  Dr.  S.  O.  Rich- 
ardson, and  organized  by  the  choice  of  P.  H.  Sweetser  as  Chairman 
and  Daniel  Allen  as  Secretary.  Mr.  Wakefield  then  gave  the  commit- 
tee some  general  outlines  of  his  plans  and  ideas  of  the  building  he 
contemplated  erecting  for  the  town,  and  proposed,  at  the  next  meeting 
of  the  committee,  to  present  to  them  full  and  complete  plans  of  the 
building.  At  the  next  meeting  of  the  committee,  full  and  complete 
plans  were  presented,  of  a  building  much  more  elaborate  and  expen- 
sive than  the  committee  supposed  was  intended  by  the  donor.  After 
a  very  full  examination  and  explanation  of  the  plans,  the  committee 
unanimously  voted  to  leave  the  whole  subject  of  the  erection  of  the 
building  to  the  liberal  donor. 


APPENDIX. 

The  committee  would  further  report :  that  thus  far  the  expense  of 
the  building  to  the  town  is :  Services  of  the  Building  Committee,  by 
a  vote  of  the  tcAvn  to  serve  without  pay  —  Nothing.  Paid  by  the  town 
for  land  and  building  —  Nothing.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  posi- 
tion of  the  committee  has  been  somewhat  novel,  but  easy  and  pleas- 
ant. No  funds  to  spend,  no  early  or  late  suppers,  no  junketings ;  but, 
with  our  fellow-citizens,  to  quietly  look  on  and  witness  the  erection  of 
this  noble  edifice,  much  more  expensive  than  was  proposed  by  the 
donor,  fully  satisfactory  as  well  as  gratifying  to  the  committee,  as  we 
feel  it  must  be  to  all  our  fellow-citizens. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted  in  behalf  of  the  committee. 

DANIEL   ALLEX,   Secretary. 
WAKEFIELD,  Feb.  22,  1871. 

The  reading  of  the  report  being  concluded,  Mr.  Allen  then  read 
the  deed,  by  which  Mr.  Wakefield  conveyed  the  building  to  the  town , 
as  follows :  — 

Whereas,  I,  Cyrus  Wakefield,  of  the  Town  of  Wakefield,  in  the  County 
of  Middlesex  and  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  in  consideration 
of  my  attachment  to  the  place  in  which  I  have  established  and  con- 
ducted the  business  by  which  I  am  enabled  to  make  the  gift  hereinaf- 
ter set  forth,  and  in  recognition  of  the  honor  conferred  on  me  by  my 
fellow-citizens,  in  giving  my  name  to  said  Town,  have  recently  erected 
upon  the  parcel  of  land  herein  described,  a  building  designed  for  a 
Town  House  and  for  municipal  uses  ;  but  also  with  the  desire  and 
intent  that  such  portions  thereof  as  are  adapted  thereto  shall  be  from 
time  to  time  devoted  to  use  for  patriotic,  charitable,  scientific,  military, 
literary,  aesthetic,  educational,  moral,  and  religious  purposes,  and  for 
meetings,  lectures,  and  addresses  promotive  thereof ;  and  whereas  I 
desire  to  present  the  said  land  and  building  as  a  free  and  unrestricted 
gift  to  said  Town  for  its  acceptance  :  — 

Now,  in  consideration  of  one  dollar  to  me  paid,  the  receipt  whereof 
is  hereby  acknowledged,  1,  the  said  Cyrus  Wakefield,  do  hereby  give, 
grant,  and  convey  unto  the  said  town  of  Wakefield,  the  parcel  of  land 
situated  within  said  town,  bounded  and  described  as  follows,  viz. :  — 

Westerly  by  Main  Street ;  southerly  by  Water  Street ;  northerly  by 
a  new  street  fifty  feet  in  width  recently  laid  out  by  me  ;  and  easterly 
by  a  street  sixty  feet  in  width  recently  laid  out  by  me  ;  together  with 
the  Town  Hall  thereon  erected  by  me,  and  all  the  rights,  privileges, 
easements,  and  appurtenances  thereto  belonging.  To  have  and  to  hold 
the  same  to  the  said  town  of  Wakefield,  to  its  use  forever,  for  die 
and  purposes  above  set  forth. 


764  APPENDIX. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I,  the  said  Cyrus  Wakefield,  with  Eliza  A. 
Wakefield,  my  wife,  in  token  of  her  release  of  all  right  of  homestead 
and  of  dower  in  the  above  granted  premises,  have  hereto  set  our  hands 
and  seals,  this  twenty-second  day  of  February,  A.  D.  eighteen  hundred 
and  seventy-one. 

Inpresenceof  "<:  *  CYRUS  WAKEFIELD. 

THOMAS  RUSSELL,  to  c.  w.  ELIZA  A.  WAKEFIELD. 

CEO.  H.  WORTHLEY,  to  E.  A.  W. 

MIDDLESEX  ss.,  Feb.  22,  1871. 

Then  personally  appeared  the  above  named  Cyrus  Wakefield,  and 
acknowledged  the  foregoing  to  be  his  free  act  and  deed. 

Before  me, 

LILLEY  EATON,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

The  reading  of  the  deed  was  received  with  shouts  of  prolonged  and 
enthusiastic  applause. 

The  President  then  introduced  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Esq.,  whose  appear- 
ance was  the  signal  for  renewed  cheering,  waving  of  handkerchiefs, 
and  demonstrative  greetings  such  as  are  seldom  witnessed.  Mr. 
Wakefield  delivered  the  following  address,  in  a  voice  clear  and  distinct, 
every  syllable  of  which  was  heard  to  the  remotest  corner  of  the  hall :  — 

MR.  PRESIDENT,  LADIES  AND  GENTLEMEN  : 

The  occasion  which  has  called  us  together  to-day  is  one  of  peculiar 
interest  to  me,  as  I  doubt  not  it  is  to  all  of  my  fellow-townsmen  here 
assembled,  —  marking,  as  it  does,  a  fresh  event  iri  the  growth  and 
progress  of  this  town,  which  has  always  sustained  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion for  its  enterprise  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  industrial  interests  of 
a  community,  as  well  as  for  its  maintenance  of  everything  which  affects 
the  welfare  of  society  in  education,  law,  and  religion. 

Every  thoughtful  member  of  society,  whatever  may  be  his  occupation, 
his  religious  creed,  or  bias  in  politics,  knows  that  the  happiness  and 
welfare  of  a  community  are  wholly  dependent  on  the  virtue  and  intel- 
ligence of  its  members.  Eyery  well-wisher  to  society,  then,  should  do 
all  in  his  power  to  encourage  and  sustain  the  various  means  adapted 
to  secure  to  every  man,  woman,  and  child,  intelligence,  refinement,  well 
being,  usefulness,  and  virtue. 

Early  instruction  at  the  fireside  of  home,  and  at  the  village  school, 
deeply  imbued  my  mind  with  the  value  of  education,  —  a  blessing 
which  is  imperishable.  "  It  is,"  as  has  been  well  said,  "  a  companion 
which  no  misfortune  can  depress,  no  clime  destroy,  no  enemy  alienate, 


APPENDIX. 


765 


no  despotism  enslave  ;  at  home  a  friend,  abroad  an  introduction  ;  in 
solitude  a  solace,  in  society  an  ornament."  "Whence,"  said  one  of  the 
most  distinguished  promoters  of  education  in  Massachusetts,  "  whence 
have  come  all  those  mechanical  and  scientific  improvements  and 
inventions  which  have  enriched  the  world  with  so  many  comforts,  and 
adorned  it  with  so  many  beauties ;  which  to-day  give  enjoyment  and 
luxuries  to  a  common  family  in  a  New  England  village,  which  neither 
Queen  Elizabeth  of  England  nor  any  of  her  proud  court  ever  dreamed 
of,  but  a  little  more  than  two  centuries  ago  ?  All  history  and  expe- 
rience affirm  that  they  have  come,  and  must  come,  from  the  people 
among  whom  education  is  most  generous  and  unconfined.  These  are 
the  results  which  you  can  no  more  have  without  common  education, 
without  imbuing  the  public  mind  with  the  elements  of  knowledge,  than 
you  can  have  corn  without  planting,  or  harvests  without  sunshine." 

This  truth  is  obvious  to  every  qne  who  has  been  a  student  of  the 
history  and  growth  of  our  civilized  community.  And  for  myself  I  can 
truly  say,  that  though  from  early  youth  to  the  present  time  my  life  has 
been  one  of  constant,  daily  activity  in  business  pursuits,  yet  have  I 
never  lost  sight  of  the  fact  that  all  the  blessings  of  social  life  are  given 
us  on  one  condition,  that  of  intelligence,  viz.  education — intellectual, 
moral,  and  religious.  This  truth,  indelibly  stamped  upon  my  mind  in 
early  life,  has  been  more  and  more  deeply  engraven  there  by  the  obser- 
vation and  reflection  of  maturer  years.  And  to-day,  more  than  ever 
before,  do  I  love  and  respect  that  time-honored  institution  estab- 
lished by  our  fathers  almost  at  the  moment  they  set  foot  upon  this,  our 
New  England  soil.  I  mean  the  common  school.  We  are  all  proud  of 
our  free  public  schools,  —  and  justly  so  ;  for  they  make  education 
co-extensive  with  the  community.  They  place  the  children  of  the  rich 
and  the  poor  on  a  level,  as  regards  the  advantages  of  intellectual 
culture.  It  is  education,  and  it  ends  in  general  intelligence,  which 
makes  labor  reputable  and  the  laborer  respected  ;  a  result,  which  in 
this  country  gives  the  workingmen  a  place  in  society,  not  merely  as 
laborers,  —  furnishing  for  others  the  comforts  and  luxuries  of  life, — 
but  as  MEN,  claiming  an  equal  share  in  all  the  domestic,  civil,  and 
religious  privileges  of  freemen. 

Out  of  universal  education  come  talent,  skill,  and  enterprise.  All 
the  improvements  in  mechanical  and  useful  arts,  whether  in  greater  or 
smaller  operations,  come  as  directly  from  intelligence  as  the  light  from 
the  sun.  The  pursuits  and  attainments  which  constitute,  adorn,  and 
elevate  civilized  life,  wherever  a  sound  education  is  given,  grow  up 
as  naturally  as  an  oak  grows  out  of  an  acorn. 


766  APPENDIX. 

The  various  and  almost  infinite  improvements  in  machinery,  in 
implements  of  husbandry,  and  all  those  ingenious  inventions  which  have 
enriched  this  part  of  the  country,  and  helped  to  build  up  the  pros- 
perity of  other  communities,  as  well  as  our  own,  have  come  from  minds 
which  have  had  an  early  awakening  by  being  put  on  scientific  trains  of 
thought  in  the  common  school. 

The  late  Hon.  Edward  Everett,  when  Governor  of  this  State,  in  a 
public  address  on  education,  exhorted  the  fathers  and  mothers  of  Mas- 
sachusetts in  these  words  :  "  Save,"  said  he, "  save,  spare,  scrape,  stint, 
starve,  do  anything  but  steal,  to  educate  your  children."  And  I  doubt 
not  that  every  father  and  mother  in  this  audience  heartily  responds  to 
this  sentiment  of  Massachusetts'  great  scholar  and  statesman.  Yes, 

"  'T  is  education  forms  the  common  mind." 

Domestic  training  and  the  public  schools  are  the  means  of  moulding 
the  mind.  They  give  the  first  impulse  and  direction  to  the  thoughts 
and  cast  to  the  feelings  of  the  young.  They  are  the  springs  or  fountain- 
heads  of  education.  From  them  commences  the  flow  of  that  stream 
of  virtue  and  intelligence  in  youth,  which,  as  we  grow  to  maturity, 
widens  and  deeps  by  the  influx  of  its  many  tributaries,  until  it  becomes 
the  majestic  river,  in  its  onward  course  to  swell  the  great  sea  of  univer- 
sal knowledge. 

When  we  leave  the  public  school  our  education  is,  as  it  were,  just 
begun.  We  have  but  come  into  possession  of  that  rudimentary  knowl- 
edge which  awakens  the  mind  to  a  desire  for  higher  attainments,  and 
gives  it  the  power  of  progress.  On  leaving  the  school  we  enter  upon  the 
various  occupations  of  life,  its  duties  and  responsibilities.  But  the 
mind  hungers  and  thirsts  for  knowledge,  and  needs  its  natural  aliment 
for  daily  sustenance  and  growth,  as  much  as  the  body.  The  advantages 
of  higher  institutions  of  learning,  of  colleges  and  universities,  are 
available  to  but  few.  To  meet,  therefore,  this  need  and  demand 
of  the  great  body  of  the  people,  it  is  necessary  that  such  means 
and  institutions  for  mental  advancement  should  be  established 
in  every  community  as  will  not  interfere  with  the  daily  vocations 
of  life,  and  such  as  can  be  made  available  at  a  small  cost.  Hence 
have  arisen  the  evening  school,  the  Sunday  school,  and  the  town 
library,  accessible  to  all.  We  have  also  the  cheap  weekly  and 
monthly  periodicals,  and  that  great  educator,  the  daily  newspaper, 
all  of  which  are  placed  within  the  reach  of  every  class  of  the  commu- 
nity, and,  thanks  to  our  public  schools,  can  be  understood  and  appre- 


ATP  END  IX. 


767 


ciated  by  all,  —  the  mechanic,  the  firmer,  and  the  day-laborer,  as  well 
as  the  professional  scholar.  We  have,  also,  for  the  advancement  of 
education,  discourses  delivered,  sermons  preached,  conventions  held, 
and  associations  formed.  And  one  of  the  most  popular  and  important 
means  for  the  promotion  of  general  intelligence,  for  preserving  from 
neglect  or  perversion  the  knowledge  acquired  in  the  public  school,  for 
enlarging  its  boundaries  and  strengthening  its  foundations,  is  the 
lyceum.  Through  its  lectures,  disquisitions,  and  discussions,  the 
lyceum  becomes  a  powerful  educational  force.  Here,  in  a  few  hours 
and  for  a  small  price,  we  are  presented  with  the  results  of  years  of 
hard  study  and  research,  as  conducted  by  the  ablest  thinkers,  investi- 
gators, and  explorers  in  the  vast  realms  of  science,  history,  and  philos- 
ophy ;  and  not  less  so  with  the  practical  fruits  of  personal  application 
and  inventive  industry  which  are  gleaned  by  the  diligent  hand  of  the 
artisan. 

It  is  here  we  are  instructed  in  many  of  the  most  important  points,  in 
all  departments  of  useful  and  entertaining  knowledge,  whether  within 
the  range  of  science,  strictly  so  called,  or  miscellaneous  and  useful  in- 
formation. The  great  leading  truths  of  abstract  science  are  here 
brought  down  to  their  direct  and  useful  applications,  in  all  the  varied 
forms  which  the  actual  business  of  life  or  the  interesting  associations 
of  thought  prescribe  for  our  guidance. 

Discussion  and  investigation  of  such  themes,  it  is  needless  to  say, 
serve  equally  the  purpose  of  advancing,  in  degree,  the  field  of  human 
knowledge,  and  of  enlarging"  and  enriching  our  sources  of  true  and 
noble  enjoyment. 

To  the  observer  of  human  progress  throughout  New  England,  the 
fact  is  familiar  that  the  foundation  of  a  village  library  is  often  found  to 
be  the  first  of  a  long  succession  of  onward  steps  in  the  general  diffu- 
sion of  knowledge,  whether  popular  or  scientific.  But  for  the  full  ac- 
complishment of  the  purposes  of  the  benevolent  founders  of  such  in- 
stitutions, the  addition  to  the  village  library  of  a  permanent  course  of 
instructive  lectures  has  always  been  found  indispensable.  And  wher- 
ever, in  the  local  history  of  our  communities,  the  order  just  referred  to 
has  been  inverted,  and  a  course  of  popular  lectures  on  the  applications 
of  science  has  taken  the  lead,  the  establishment  of  a  library  has  always 
been  sure  to  follow  as  a  result.  A  judicious  course  of  lectures  natur- 
ally leads  the  general  mind  to  an  earnest  desire  for  opportunities  for 
acquiring  more  thorough  and  extensive  knowledge  on  the  subjects 
whose  elements  have  been  successfully  presented. 

In  many  of   our  New   England  villages,  accordingly,   the   village 


/fc>8 


APPENDIX. 


library  and  the  lyceum  course  of  lectures  have  gone  on,  hand  in  hand, 
mutually  strengthening  and  enlarging  each  other.  Hence  the  New 
England  village  of  to-day  so  often  proves  itself  the  worthy  successor  of 
that  whose  foundations  were  laid  amid  the  uncertainties  and  deficien- 
cies of  earlier  times.  Nor  can  we  advert  to  such  facts  without  indul- 
ging in  a  glance  at  what  the  larger  future  so  surely  offers  to  those  who 
shall  succeed  us  in  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  all  social  oppor- 
tunities of  general  advancement  in  enlarging  knowledge  and  its  conse- 
quent advantages. 

In  these  institutions,  then,  —  the  library  and  the  lyceum, — which 
throw  open  their  doors  of  invitation  to  the  whole  community,  we  have 
secured  to  us  the  definite  and  practical  means  of  a  wide  and  ample 
diffusion  of  knowledge  and  of  intellectual  enjoyment. 

To  secure  and  make  permanent  such  results,  therefore,  every  town 
or  village  needs  a  building  of  ample  and  inviting  accommodations,  for 
a  library  and  lyceum  hall ;  and,  my  friends,  it  has  been  with  special 
reference  to  this  need  that  the  building  in  which  we  are  now  assembled 
has  been  erected.  And  with  the  confident  assurance  of  your  efficient 
co-operation  in  advancing  the  common  well-being,  it  is  now  thrown 
open  to  you,  fellow-citizens,  for  the  purposes  already  mentioned,  and 
placed  at  your  disposal,  in  whatever  form  you  shall  deem  most  appro- 
priate for  the  accomplishment  of  the  purposes  to  which  it  is  devoted. 

As  a  body  of  freemen,  it  is  your  social  home  for  the  enjoyment  of 
every  noble  privilege  which  a  gracious  Providence  has  made  the  pecu- 
liar blessing  of  our  common  New  England  life,  as  members  of  the  great 
national  community  on  the  grand  footing  of  equal  rights  and  privileges, 
the  most  exalted  in  their  character  and  the  most,  enduring  in  their 
stability  with  which  humanity  has  yet  been  favored. 

In  compliance  with  the  arrangements  assigned  for  the  occasion,  I 
have  little  further  part  to  perform  than  to  propose  your  acceptance  of 
this  edifice,  as  proffered  for  the  purposes  already  mentioned.  May  it 
long  continue  to  benefit  you  and  yours  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  — 
civil,  social,  and  individual !  To  all  your  families  may  it  ever  prove,  on 
a  larger  scale,  an  efficient  means  to  the  wider  diffusion  of  social  and 
intellectual  enjoyment,  when  the  coming  years  of  our  great  national 
future  shall  have  rendered  their  accumulated  additions  to  the  general 
well-being  of  humanity ! 

My  only  remaining  duty,  in  further  compliance  with  the  arrange- 
ments of  the  day,  is  to  surrender  to  your  trust  and  keeping,  Mr.  Chair- 
man, as  a  representative  of  your  fellow  citizens,  in  this  transaction, 
the  KEYS  of  this  edifice,  and,  virtually,  the  control  of  its  future  arrange- 
ments. 


APPENDIX.  760 

I  hereby,  accordingly,  give  and  make  over  to  you,  sir,  personally, 
these  keys,  and  with  them  the  sole  charge  and  disposal  of  these  halls, 
in  connection  with  the  purposes  for  which  they  were  erected. 

Mr.  Wakefield  closed  by  formally  presenting  the  title-deed  and  keys 
of  the  building  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Selectmen,  Richard  Britton, 
Esq.,  who  replied  as  follows  :  — 

SIR  :  It  falls  to  my  lot,  in  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Selectmen,  to  ac- 
cept, in  the  name  of  the  town,  your  munificent  gift.     The  offer  made 
by  you  to  the  people  of  Wakefield,  some  months  since,  has  received  a 
fulfilment  which  has  far  exceeded  their  expectations.     You  now  place 
at  their  disposal  a  public  edifice,  unsurpassed  for  the  beauty  of  its 
architectural  designs,  the  thoroughness  of  its  workmanship,  the  conven- 
ience of  its  numerous  apartments,  and  the  elegance  of  this  spacious 
and  magnificent  hall.     The  citizens  of  Wakefield  appreciate  the  liber- 
ality which  has  so  far  exceeded  your  first  generous  proposals,  and  they 
honor  the  public  spirit  which  has  provided  for  the  wants  of  the  future 
in  meeting  those  of  the  present.     They  reciprocate  your  well-known 
sentiments  upon  popular  education,  and  the  best  means  of  perpetuating 
its  advantages,  after  the  school-room  shall  have  been  exchanged  for  the 
scenes  of  active  life.     The  library,  the  lyceum,  and  the  scientific  lec- 
ture are  but  the  common  school  carried  into  maturer  years ;   and  it  is 
a  matter  of  common  congratulation  that  we  now  have  a  building  so 
well  adjusted  to  these  and  other  uses.     They  think  with  you,  also,  that 
the  affairs  of  municipal  bodies  can  be  conducted  with  economy  and 
efficiency  only  when  suitable  and  safe  offices  for  public  business  are 
established  under  one  roof,  and  within  reach  of  various  public  records ; 
and  upon  the  attainment  of  these  objects,  so  long  deferred  and  so  long 
needed,  they  congratulate  each  other.     Recent  events,  too,  have  taught 
us  all  that  the  world  has  not  yet  passed  beyond  the  need  of  military 
organizations,  and  that  it  is  the  part  of  true  wisdom  to  keep  in  training 
a  small  force  of  drilled  soldiers,  competent  to  meet  the  nation's  emer- 
gencies when  they  shall  arise ;  and  those  same  events  have  laid  upon 
those  who  survived  the  terrific  shock  of  war  the  most  solemn  obliga- 
tions to  keep  fresh  and  green  the  memory  of  those  who  fell.     These 
objects,  too,  which  commend  themselves  equally  to  our  patriotism  and 
our  grateful  memories,  have  received  abundant  and  faithful  care  within 
these  walls.     And  believe  me,  sir,  all  classes  of  our  people  are  deeply 
thankful    to  you  for  a  gift  so  costly  and  noble  in  itself,  and  so  well 
adapted  to  these  already  pressing  and  growing  needs.     Look  into  the 
97 


770 


APPENDIX. 


faces  of  your  neighbors  and  friends  before  you :  do  you  not  see  their 
gratitude  ?  Look  at  the  faces  of  these  children  in  the  galleries,  who 
for  a  generation  to  come  will  reap  the  fruits  of  your  beneficence  :  do 
you  not  read  their  joy  and  their  thanks  ? 

Sir,  we  accept  this  noble  structure  as  a  sacred  trust.  May  it  long 
stand  a  monument  of  your  forethought  and  generosity !  For  yourself, 
sir,  may  your  prosperity  continue  ;  may  your  widening  plans  be  ful- 
filled ;  may  your  life  be  spared  till  old  age  shall  come,  and  then  may 
you  be  gathered  in  peace  and  hope  to  that  better  land ! 

The  following  dedicatory  hymn,  by  Hon.  P.  H.  Sweetser,  was  then 
sung  to  the  tune  of  America,  by  the  choir  and  children  of  the  public 
schools,  under  the  direction  of  Solon  Walton,  Esq.,  the  audience  rising 
and  joining  in  the  same  :  — 

Thanks  to  our  God  belong  ! 
Praise  Him  with  joyful  song, 

Extol  his  name  ! 
Within  this  temple's  walls, 
Through  its  resounding  halls, 
Where'er  His  mercy  falls, 

His  love  proclaim ! 

May  this  be  Learning's  home, 
Where  youth  and  age  shall  come 

For  precious  lore ; 
For  light  to  shine  abroad 
.  Along  life's  darksome  road, 
Brighter  than  gift  bestowed 

Of  shining  ore. 

May  those  who  congregate 
For  counsel  and  debate, 

Within  these  walls, 
Exclude  all  party  hate: 
Loyal  to  home  and  state, 
To  truth  be  consecrate, 

As  duty  calls. 

A  nobler  gift  we  own 

Than  other  climes  have  known, 

At  princes'  cost ! 
God  of  our  fathers'  land, 
Long  may  this  building  stand, 
In  purpose  wise  and  grand, 

Our  pride  and  boast ! 


APPENDIX.  771 

Speed  on  the  happy  day 
When  all  shall  choose  the  way 

The  wise  have  trod  ; 
And  may  this  temple  be, 
This  offering  rich  and  free, 
Honored  and  blest  of  Thee, 

The  mighty  God ! 

Hon.  Lilley  Eaton  then  delivered  the  following  address:  — 

MR.  PRESIDENT,  AND  LADIES  AND  GENTLEMEN  : 

Rising  to  speak,  for  the  first  time,  from  this  high  position,  —  as  I 
look  around  upon  this  multitude  of  earnest  eyes  and  expectant  coun- 
tenances, this  throng  of  the  youth  and  beauty,  the  fashion  and  chivalry, 
the  rank  and  file  of  our  village  and  its  environs,  and  find  myself  stand- 
ing within  these  spacious  and  elaborately  finished  walls,  beneath  this 
lofty  ceiling,  which  is  bright  and  radiant  with  iridescent  and  artistic 
taste  and  lustre,  and  realize  that  I  am  in  the  presence  of  the  learned, 
the  honorable,  the  reverend,  the  venerable,  —  among  statesmen,  philos- 
ophers, and  poets ;  and  when  I  call  to  mind  the  interesting  and  elo- 
quent speeches,  and  animating  music,  to  which  we  have  just  been 
listening,  and  have  respect,  in  anticipation,  to  the  flowing  verse  and 
other  exercises  that  are  still  to  come,  with  hallowed  memories  of  the 
sainted  and  majestic  character  of  him  whose  honored  birthday  this  is, 
mingling  with  other  stirring  suggestions,  —  although  my  breast  swells 
with  the  excitement  and  inspiration  of  the  occasion,  and  emotions  too 
big  for  my  utterance  seem  welling  up  within  me ;  yet,  in  view  of  all  the 
attendant  circumstances,  I  find  myself  totally  unable  to  command  lan- 
guage with  which  to  express  my  emotions,  or  suited  to  meet  the  just 
expectations  of  this  audience.  For  here  let  me  say,  that  I  occupy  this 
position,  not  from  any  supposed  peculiar  ability  to  discharge  its  duty, 
but  by  the  favor  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  who  in  this  case, 
having  more  regard  to  age  than  to  talent,  have  thought  that,  because  I 
have  been  somewhat  closely  identified  with  the  history  and  progress  of 
the  town  for  the  last  half-century,  it  was  therefore  proper  that  I  should 
have  a  place  in  the  programme  of  exercises  on  this  interesting  and 
crowning  occasion  ;  and  in  an  unguarded  moment  I  assented  to  the 
arrangement.  I  am  consoled,  however,  with  the  reflection,  that  what- 
ever I  may  lack  has  already  been  abundantly  supplied  by  those  who 
have  preceded  me,  and  will  be  more  than  made  up  by  those  who  are  to 
follow. 

Mr.  President,  we  have  heard,  in  the  report  of  the  Building, Commit- 


772  APPENDIX. 

tee,  as  read  by  their  Secretary,  a  brief  history  of  the  enterprise  which 
culminates  in  this  day's  celebration.  From  that  report  we  learn  that 
our  illustrious  fellow-citizen,  who,  some  three  years  ago,  proposed  to 
erect,  at  his  own  expense,  a  building  suitable  for  municipal,  scientific, 
and  other  purposes,  and  would  present  the  same,  with  a  lot  of  land,  to 
the  town  of  Wakefield,  has  most  honorably  and  overflowingly  redeemed 
his  promise,  and  more  than  met  the  most  sanguine  expectations  of  all. 

We  have  now  witnessed,  with  pleasing  and  graceful  ceremonies,  the 
conveyance  of  this  splendid  property  to  the  town  of  Wakefield.  This 
beautiful  civic  temple,  with  its  eligible  site  and  all  its  numerous,  ample, 
and  elegant  conveniences,  is  now  all  our  own.  The  cost  and  intrinsic 
value  of  the  property  considerably  exceed  what  the  whole  real  and 
personal  estate  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  was  appraised  at  by 
the  town  assessors  within  my  own  recollection ;  and  it  comes  to  the 
town  the  free  gift  of  the  munificent  donor. 

We  have  listened,  with  much  interest  and  delight,  to  the  eloquent 
words,  the  kindly  wishes,  and  the  valuable  suggestions  with  which  the 
donor  has  accompanied  the  delivery  of  the  title-deed  and  keys  of  the 
premises  to  the  possession  and  custody  of  the  town  authorities ;  we 
have  highly  enjoyed  the  pleasant  and  successful  manner  in  which-  the 
ceremony  of  the  reception  thereof  has  been  performed  by  the  chairman 
of  the  Board  of  Selectmen.  And  we,  the  people,  are  now  here  to  ratify 
the  official  acceptance,  and  to  signify  for  ourselves  our  warmest  grati- 
tude for  this  rich  and  noble  present ;  we  are  here  to  consecrate  this 
building,  with  its  appurtenances,  to  the  important  objects  of  its  erec- 
tion ;  and  with  invocations  and  petitions,  with  music  and  poetry,  with 
sentiment  and  song,  to  express  our  joyful  congratulations  and  thanks- 
giving, and  to  render  to  Heaven  the  tribute  of  our  sincere  and  devout 
acknowledgments  for  the  bestowal  of  that  influence  that  induced  our 
friend  to  make  this  princely  donation. 

We  accept,  with  modest  diffidence  and  pleasure,  the  very  compli- 
mentary allusions  of  the  donor  to  the  character  and  enterprise  of  his 
adopted  fellow-citizens ;  we  concur  most  sincerely  with  him  in  his  high 
appreciation  of  the  value  and  importance,  to  the  rising  generation,  of 
education,  and  an  early  training  in  the  practical  principles  of  science 
and  art,  and  the  higher  principles  of  morality  and  virtue,  in  order  to 
secure  an  intelligent,  moral,  skilful,  successful,  and  happy  community  ; 
and  we  fully  agree  with  him  in  his  opinion  of  the  adaptedness  of  com- 
mon schools,  free  libraries,  and  public,  scientific,  and  moral  lectures,  to 
the  promotion  of  such  education  and  training.  We  rejoice,  there- 
fore, that  our  friend,  who  has  heretofore  contributed  to  the  encour- 


APPENDIX. 


773 


agement  of  our  schools,  has  now  given  this  further  and  signal 
proof  of  the  sincerity  of  his  convictions,  by  furnishing  such  ample 
arrangements  for  the  public  library,  public  lectures,  and  other  muni- 
cipal and  social  purposes,  as  that  now  we  have  accommodation  for  an 
indefinite  increase  of  books,  maps,  pictures,  and  works  of  art,  and  lec- 
ture room  sufficient  for  the  tallest  orators. 

Mr.  President,  I  shall  not  attempt  to  give  a  particular,  technical 
description  of  this  fine  building  and  all  its  numerous  accommodations  j 
it  is  not  necessary  to  do  so  ;  for  you  have  seen  it  and  it  speaks  for  it- 
self. But  I  will  refer  briefly  to  some  of  its  more  important  subdivisions 
and  conveniences,  and  the  purposes  to  which  we  would  consecrate 
them. 

Behold  this  beautiful  and  capacious  municipal,  civic  Hall,  with  its 
wide  area,  its  extensive  galleries,  its  comfortable  and  substantial  set- 
tees, its  broad  and  commanding  forum,  its  adjacent  corridors  and  ante- 
rooms, its  lofty  canopy,  its  elaborate  and  aesthetic  finish,  and  its  capa- 
city for  holding  its  thousands ! 

The  purposes  to  which  we  trust  this  fine  room  will  ever  be  devoted 
are  municipal,  scientific,  patriotic,  industrial,  charitable,  social,  and 
moral.  Here  let  the  citizens  assemble,  exercise  the  right  of  franchise, 
transact  their  municipal  business,  discuss  important  local  and  public 
questions,  and  proclaim  the  principles  of  American  liberty,  indepen- 
dence, and  union.  Here  let  the  people  come  to  listen  to  the  eloquent 
and  gifted,  who  shall  here  pour  forth,  from  time  to  time,  the  treasures 
of  knowledge,  of  science,  and  of  wisdom.  Here  may  the  muses 
delight  to  resort,  and  chant  the  melodious  strains  of  music  and  poetry. 
Here  may  the  true  spirit  of  patriotism,  of  equity,  and  of  philanthropy 
ever  reign  and  excite.  Here  upon  this  stage  may  our  rising  youth, 
catching  the  inspiration  of  the  place,  be  trained  in  those  practices  of 
public  speaking  and  debate  that  shall  enable  them,  in  subsequent  life, 
at  home  or  elsewhere,  to  defend  the  right  with  eloquent  ability,  in  what- 
ever exigency  may  arise.  And  may  this  costly  and  excellent  Hall,  now 
clean  and  nice,  never  be  desecrated  by  any  low,  rude,  or  immoral  occu- 
pation, but  be  carefully  preserved  in  its  present  purity  and  elegance. 

Below  and  under  this  main  hall,  on  either  side  of  the  Ionic  Hall, 
with  its  capital-crowned  pillars  and  tessellated  pavement,  are  other 
rooms,  designed  for  various  important  public  and  useful  purposes.  On 
the  one  side,  in  front,  are  rooms  for  town  officers,  large,  light,  and  con- 
venient, with  fire-proof  safety  vaults  to  protect  the  municipal  records 
and  treasures.  On  the  same  side,  in  the  rear,  is  a  large  room,  con- 
venient for  many  civic  purposes,  sometimes  called  the  court-room, 


774  APPENDIX. 

where,  we  trust,  whenever  it  shall  be  used  as  such,  the  scales  of  justice 
in  the  hands  of  those  whose  sacred  ermine  shall  be  unsullied,  will  ever 
give  that  "  just  weight  which  is  the  delight  of  the  Lord."  On  the 
other  side  of  the  Ionic  Hall,  in  front,  is  the  Library  Room,  of  ample 
size,  fitted  up  with  much  cost,  convenience,  and  elegance,  and  with 
especial  reference  to  providing  for  a  large  increase  of  books,  the  funds 
for  which  are  already  secured ;  where  the  "  Beebe  Town  Library,"  so 
named  from  a  munificent  patron,  is  to  be  installed,  and  where  the  foun- 
tains of  knowledge,  bursting  forth  from  ten  thousand  springs,  shall 
ever  flow  with  refreshing  and  reviving  influences.  On  the  same  side, 
in  the  rear,  is  the  Soldiers'  Memorial  Hall,  to  be  decorated  and  made 
interesting  with  tablets  of  marble,  inscriptions,  busts,  medallions,  por- 
traits, trophies,  and  other  mementoes  of  the  heroes,  dead  and  living, 
who  were  connected  with  the  Union  army  in  the  late  War  of  the  Rebel- 
lion. These  decorations,  as  yet  incomplete,  are  being  furnished  from 
the  voluntary  contributions  of  the  loyal  citizens,  and  are  especially 
designed  to  render  this  hall  a  place  where  the  names  and  the  memory 
and  the  laurels  of  those  young  warriors  of  our  town  who  died  for 
their  country  and  for  freedom,  shall  be  kept  forever  fresh  and  green  ; 
and  where  our  children  and  children's  children  and  their  successors 
shall  early  learn  to  love  patriotism  and  valor,  and  to  hate  cowardice 
and  treason.  Above  this  main  hall  are  rooms  for  our  military  bul- 
wark, where  our  guardsmen  shall  deposit  their  arms,  and  equipments 
and  where  our  young  men  shall  meet  to  stir  up  one  another's  brave 
minds  in  love  of  country  and  of  liberty,  learn  the  science  of  war,  and 
be  trained  in  those  exercises  that  shall  qualify  and  enable  them  to  do 
in  the  future  as  they  have  repeatedly  done  in  the  past,  viz.  rally  at  a 
moment's  notice,  don  their  armor,  and  march  to  the  defence  of  their 
country.  These  military  rooms  are  to  be  fitted  up  and  furnished  in 
tasty  and  convenient  style  from  funds  generously  given  by  the  foster- 
father  of  the  Richardson  Light  Guard,  the  "  beloved  physician  "  who 
has  long  been  a  sincere  friend  and  liberal  patron  of  that  excellent  and 
popular  corps. 

Above  also,  and  adjoining  the  military  rooms,  is  the  social  Banquet 
Hall,  roomy  and  commodious,  which  we  hope  will  ever  be  open  to  all 
the  gatherings  of  friendship  and  philanthropy,  to  all  innocent  festive 
occasions,  and  all  useful  meetings  for  which  it  is  adapted. 

And  so  (without  further  detail)  this  whole  edifice,  with  all  its  many 
suitable  and  beautiful  appurtenances  and  belongings,  including  the 
latest  and  most  approved  modes  of  heating  and  warming,  is  now 


APPENDIX. 

donated,  conveyed,  and  consecrated  to  1>e  from  henceforth  for  the  free 
use  of  the  inhabitants  of  Wakefield  for  all  useful  purposes.  May  we 
who  are  the  fortunate  recipients  of  this  rich  gift,  and  our  successors, 
ever  show  our  gratitude  therefor,  and  our  appreciation  of  its  value,  by 
a  wise  improvement  of  its  facilities. 

Mr.  President,  let  us  not  forget  that  this  building  stands  on  his- 
toric, classic,  and  hallowed  ground.  Here,  one  of  the  early  and  learned 
Puritan  divines,  the  second  minister  of  this  town,  erected  his  family 
altar  more  than  two  centuries  ago  ;  here  he  courted  the  muses,  here 
studied,  and  went  hence  to  preach  philosophy  and  ethics  to  the  early 
settlers,  and  here  sought  that  power  his  youthful  muse  to  inspire, 

"  That  touched  Isaiah's  hallowed  lips  with  fire." 

Here,  too,  were  the  birthplace  and  home  of  some  of  the  most  eminent, 
honorable,  and  revered  sons  of  our  town.  The  venerable  mansion  that 
was  recently  removed  to  give  place  for  this  structure,  which  was  the 
home  of  that  eminent  divine,  and  had  sheltered  many  generations  of  his 
successors,  still  stands  in  near  proximity.  Long  may  it  remain,  a  relic 
of  the  olden  time  and  a  memento  of  departed  worth !  Let  us  rejoice 
that  this  ancient  site  is  still  to  be  historic  and  classic ;  that  in  the 
shadow  of  that  retreating  old  parsonage  this  lofty  temple  has  arisen, 
—  massive,  towering,  grand,  capacious,  convenient,  beautiful ;  sacred  to 
social,  scientific,  and  moral  improvement  and  happiness. 

Towards  heaven  it  lifts  its  turret  fair, 

With  golden  dials  beaming  : 
The  nation's  flag  is  waving  there, 

With  starry  banner  streaming. 

Mr.  President,  while  we  admire  this  fine  house,  in  its  skilful 
design  and  artistic  execution,  let  us  not  omit  to  award  due  credit  and 
commendation  to  the  accomplished  architect  whose  wisdom  planned 
it,  and  to  the  ingenious  mechanics  whose  cunning  hands  have  fash- 
ioned this  complete  and  elegant  work ;  like  the  laborers  who  built 
Bunker  Hill  Monument,  may  they,  in  the  sentiment  of  the  immortal 
Webster,  look  up  and  around  here,  and  be  proud  of  the  results  of  their 
toil. 

And  what  shall  we  say  of  him,  the  moving,  living  cause  of  the  grand 
result  that  we  this  day  celebrate  ;  of  him  whose  generous  impulses  and 
wise  regard  for  the  people's  welfare  first  originated  the  plan  and  objects 
of  this  important  work ;  of  him  whose  inexhaustible  generosity  and 


7/6  APPENDIX. 

apparently  inexhaustible  purse  were  fully  equal  to  the  utmost  extent 
of  the  architectural  pencil,  in  its  demands  for  magnitude,  proportion, 
convenience,  artistic  taste,  and  beauty  ;  of  him  who  now  turns  it  all 
over  a  free  gift  to  the  town  of  his  adoption,  the  ancient  home  of  his 
ancestors ;  of  him  who  is  now  the  cynosure  of  all  eyes,  the  exponent 
of  munificence,  the  Leo  of  the  occasion,  —  our  godfather,  our  name- 
sake, and  our  friend?  Of-  him  I  am  led  to  exclaim,  O  fortunate 
man  !  Fortunate  in  possessing  that  business  skill  and  enterprise  that 
have  enabled  him,  in  honest  trade,  to  amass  the  means  of  his  un- 
bounded liberality.  Unbounded  liberality,  we  say,  for  we  forget  not 
that  this  rich  gift  is  only  one  of  many  emanating  from  that  abundant 
liberality  on  which  might  justly  be  inscribed  the  stately  motto,  E  plu- 
ribus  unum.  Fortunate  man,  we  repeat,  in  having  been  favored  of 
heaven  with  a  disposition  to  avail  himself  of  the  heavenly  sentiment 
that  "  it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive  "  !  Fortunate  in  being 
moved  to  expend  his  means  upon  objects  of  high,  generous,  and  per- 
manent usefulness,  thus  securing  the  power  to  enjoy  the  sweetest  kind 
of  earthly  felicity,  viz.  a  consciousness  of  having  made  others  wise, 
useful,  and  happy !  This  sweet  felicity  may  he  long  live  to  realize  ! 
Long  may  he  have  the  delightful  satisfaction  of  witnessing,  going 
forth  from  the  recesses  of  this  beautiful  temple,  the  light  of  knowledge, 
of  science,  and  of  liberty,  and  the  principles  of  good  order,  justice,  and 
philanthropy.  And  after  he  shall  have  become  fully  rich  in  the  mer- 
chandise of  wisdom,  and  shall  have  fully  served  his  generation  here 
below,  may  he  find  an  abundant  entrance  and  welcome  and  home  in 
the  Celestial  Temple,  the  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens  ;  and  may  the  memory  of  his  name  and  good  deeds  long  live 
after  him,  and  their  influence  bless  posterity. 


John  S.  Eaton,  Esq.,  then  pronounced  the  following  poem,  written 
by  himself  for  the  occasion  :  — 

He  who  performeth  noble  deeds, 

Rears  temples  with  his  gold, — 
For  him  the  future  hath  its  meeds, 

His  fame  the  centuries  hold  ! 


And  he  whose  own  unaided  power 

Makes  shining  treasure  his, 
Then  scatters  it,  —  a  golden  shower,  — 

The  grandest  victor  is  ! 


APPENDIX.  ™ 


Wearing  to-day  no  regal  crown, 

Unheralded  by  drums, 
Yet  laurelled  with  a  high  renown, 

Cyrus  the  conqueror  comes. 

For  he,  a  youth,  within  the  fold 

Of  hills  that  shut  him  in, 
Beheld,  as  on  a  map  unroll'd^ 

The  trophies  he  might  win. 

Unfettered,  from  that  mountain  door 
His  daring  thought  outwent ; 

In  dreams  he  held  —  as  now,  in  start  — 
Wealth  of  the  Orient 

Uprose  the  height  he  fain  would  tread, 
Bright  flashing  in  the  sun  ; 

His  tireless  steps  then  upward  sped, 
And  the  rich  prize  was  won  1 

Now  at  his  wish  earth's  agents  yield  ; 

Steam  and  the  winds  his  slaves, 
Speeding  his  forces,  myriad-wheeled, 

His  products  o'er  the  waves. 

An  army  marches  at  his  word, 

Guiltless  of  battle  stains  ; 
No  sabre  in  their  ranks,  nor  sword, 

Their  only  weapons,  —  canes. 

Where'er  this  powerful  army  moves, 
Along  these  plains  of  ours. 

Wave  musical  the  leafy  groves,  — 
And  in  its  footsteps,  flowers. 

Their  leader's  keen,  sagacious  glance 
Brings  distant  thousands  near, 

And  in  the  van  of  their  advance, 
Old  landmarks  disappear. 

The  levelled  hill,  with  smoother  sod, 

Discloses  lovelier  views  ; 
The  narrow  lane  and  winding  road 

Stretch  straight,  broad  avenues. 

The  quaint  old  roofs  of  earlier  days 

Scarce  meet  our  vision  more  ; 
While  statelier  dwellings  in  their  place 

Embellish  slope  and  shore. 
98 


778  APPENDIX.          i 

Thus,  while  the  ancient  relics  fade, 
And  vanish  from  our  view, 

Our  town,  in  fresher  robes  arrayed, 
Prepares  to  greet  the  new  ! 

March  on,  transforming  army,  march, 
With  beauty  crown  each  vale  ! 

While  we  inscribe  on  laurelled  arch,  - 
"  Cyrus,  the  prince,  all  hail  I  " 


It  stands  complete,  —  this  promised  gift,  — 

Munificent  and  fair ; 
Skyward  its  pointed  turrets  lift, 

Cleaving  the  wintry  air. 

Complete  each  graceful  arch  and  niche, 
Complete  from  base  to  tower ; 

While  all  its  ample  walls  are  rich 
With  scroll  and  leaf  and  flower. 

A  gift  so  precious  and  so  grand, 

So  excellent  and  rare, 
The  rhythmic  praise  at  our  command 

Seems  incomplete  and  bare. 

We  note  in  this  exalted  gift, 

One  name  outshines  the  rest, 
As  one  tall  pine  may  grandly  lift 

Above  a  mountain  crest, 

High  o'er  the  trees  whose  branches  throw 

Their  shadows  at  its  feet,  — 
Yet  valued  all,  the  high,  the  low, 

The  landscape  to  complete  ; 

So  in  this  glittering  coronet 

We  have  a  central  gem, 
While  lesser  jewels,  proudly  set, 

Complete  our  diadem. 

Secure,  these  lofty  walls  shall  hold 

Their  wealth  of  classic  lore  ; 
Bright  gems  of  thought  in  leaves  of  gold,  • 

A  rich,  increasing  store  ; 

A  fountain  ever  full  and  free, 

Alike  for  age  and  youth. 
Perpetual  may  its  blessings  be, 

Drawn  from  the  wells  of  truth  ! 


APPENDIX. 

Secure,  these  guarded  vaults  retain 
Their  records,  worn  and  brown  ; 

The  olden  records  which  remain,  — 
The  archives  of  the  town. 

This  ample  and  attractive  room, 

With  tasteful  colors  bright, 
Shall  bring  to  thousands,  as  they  come, 

An  ever  new  delight 

And  from  this  platform,  which  we  tread 

With  diffidence  and  doubt, 
Scholastic  essays  shall  be  read, 

And  polished  lines  go  out ; 

And  Music,  here,  its  notes  shall  lend, 

In  melodies  most  sweet ; 
Science  and  Art,  congenial,  blend, 

To  make  its  charms  complete. 

While,  over  all,  in  ordered  line, 
Keeping  sure  watch  and  ward, 

The  burnished  barrels,  silent,  shine,  — 
The  muskets  of  the  "  Guard." 

And  here  the  rich  "  Memorial  Hall  " 
Its  precious  names  shall  hold  ; 

Its  roll  of  honor,  'neath  the  pall ; 
Its  heroes,  framed  in  gold. 

Their  fame  shall  fadeless  marbles  tell 
Through  all  the  coming  time, 

Who  'neath  the  Starry  Banner  fell, 
And  made  their  deaths  sublime. 

New  lustre,  then,  shall  gild  their  names, 
As  the  bright  years  increase, 

Who  died  in  battle's  awful  flames 
To  give  their  children  —  Peace. 

And  here,  on  freedom's  holy  ground, 
Her  green  slopes  bright  with  dew, 

For  earnest  souls,  it  shall  be  found, 
Peace  hath  her  triumphs,  too. 

Marches  progressive,  now  begun, 
Will  test  the  zeal  of  youth  ; 

For  he  with  tireless  steps  must  run 
That  holds  the  race  with  Truth  ! 


779 


780  APPENDIX. 

The  Future  on  the  glorious  heights 

Marshals  her  shining  ones, 
And  to  the  fields  of  bloodless  fights 

Summons  her  fearless  sons. 

Her  white  tents  grace  the  shadowy  hill ; 

I  see  her  camp-fires  gleam  ; 
I  hear  her  bugles,  echoing  shrill 

From  mountain-peak  and  stream  ; 

I  hear  the  mustering  of  the  hosts, 
Her  thousands  fair  and  strong,  — 

To  reach  the  high,  commanding  posts, 
For  conflict  with  the  Wrong. 

Those  legions,  girt  with  strength  from  Heaven, 

And  panoplied^in  light,  — 
To  them,  rich  conquests  shall  be  given, 

The  victories  of  Right  I 


While  the  procession  of  the  years 

Its  steady  march  shall  keep, 
In  time  with  the  revolving  spheres, 

In  their  sublimer  sweep,  — 

Here  may  this  massive  temple  stand, 

Unmarred  its  walls  and  pave,  — 
Memorial,  undecayed  and  grand, 

Of  princely  hands  which  gave ; 

Bearing  its  treasures  rich  and  fair 

Unstained  as  in  their  prime, 
With  all  its  cherished  emblems,  there, 

Down  to  the  latest  time  ! 

Greet  it,  earliest  light  of  the  dawn  ; 

Let  it  bathe  in  the  golden  day ; 
And  radiant  tints,  from  the  sunset  drawn, 

On  its  turrets  linger  and  play  ! 

"  These  moments  entrancing,"  was  next  sung  by  the  choir.  The  Pres- 
ident, Hon.  P.  H.  Sweetser,  then  made  the  following  congratulatory 
address: —  \ 

It  was  said  of  Hannibal  that  all  he  needed  to  complete  his  martial 
virtue  was,  that  when  he  had  gained  a  victory  he  should  know  how  to 
use  it.  I  think,  .ladies  and  gentlemen,  we  shall  not  stiy  of  our  distin- 


APPENDIX.  78! 

guished  fellow-citizen,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  this  splendid  and 
commodious  edifice,  that,  having  gained  treasures,  he  does  not  know 
how  to  use  them. 

It  has  been  common  for  those  who  possess  great  wealth  to  hold  on 
to  it,  as  with  a  miser's  grasp,  until,  in  the  providence  of  God>  their 
palsied  hands  must  let  it  go ;  and  then,  perchance,  to  leave  it  to  con- 
tentious heirs,  or  bequeath  it  in  some  direction  where  the  half  of  it 
never  should  be  heard  of  more. 

The  pious  Baxter  put  aside  a  sum  of  money  with  which  he  intended 
to  endow  a  school.  By  some  fatality  the  money  was  all  lost.  He 
blamed  himself  for  the  misfortune,  and  resolved  never  to  defer  another 
opportunity  for  doing  good. 

Our  late  distinguished  fellow-countryman,  Mr.  Peabody,  is  widely 
known  and  honored  for  his  more  than  princely  benefactions.  He 
seemed  to  appreciate  the  poet's  sentiment,  that  charity  is  twice  blessed, 
blessing  him  that  gives  and  him  that  takes ;  he  seemed  to  believe  that 
money  invested  for  the  well-being  of  mankind  returns  a  higher  and 
surer  interest  than  stocks  and  bonds  ;  that  while  commerce  brings  gold, 
generosity  makes  it  permanent  fain. 

Other  wealthy  individuals,  prompted,  I  trust,  by  the  precepts  and 
example  of  Him  who  went  about  doing  good,  are  performing  noble 
deeds  by  contributing  of  their  ample  means  to  promote  the  welfare  of 
their  fellow-men. 

I  congratulate  you,  fellow-citizens,  that  we  are  the  recipients  of  a 
costly  bounty,  and  that  we  receive  it  from  one  of  our  own  citizens, 
whose  worthy  ambition,  and  splendid  enterprise,  and  public  spirit,  and 
liberal  hand  have  won  for  him  the  treasures  and  the  honors  he  enjoys. 

We  did  not  expect,  when  we  heard  that  a  Town  Hall  would  be 
erected  for  us,  such  a  temple  as  this.  It  is  builded  costlier  and  better 
than  we  knew.  What  the  giver  intended,  I  cannot  say ;  but  he  has  given 
us  a  surprise.  Surprises  are  sometimes  dangerous.  Let  us  endeavor 
to  bear  this  with  becoming  fortitude,  and  turn  it  to  the  best  account. 

You  are  aware  that  this  is  not  the  first  token  of  Mr.  Wakefield's  re- 
gard for  the  interests  of  the  town.  The  beautiful  diploma,  which,  for 
several  years,  our  High  School  graduates  have  received,  and  which 
those  who  hereafter  graduate  will  receive,  is  an  evidence  of  his  desire 
to  stimulate  the  young  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge,  and  of  his  appreci- 
ation of  the  value  of  education.  His  address,  to  which  we  have  all 
listened  with  delight,  ciearly  evinces  that  the  education  of  the  people 
is  an  object  very  precious  in  his  sight. 

Mr.  Peabody,  to  whom  I  have   alluded,  on  a  public  occasion  ex- 


782  APPENDIX. 

pressed  the  following  sentiment :  "  Education  —  a  debt  due  from  pres- 
ent to  future  generations."  I  know  that  this  sentiment  has  the  hearty 
approval  of  Mr.  Wakefield ;  that  it  is,  indeed,  his  sentiment.  I  know 
it  is  his  desire  that  this  town  especially,  whose  educational  reputation 
first  attracted  his  attention  and  induced  him  to  locate  here,  shall  pre- 
serve and  increase  its  educational  privileges,  and  transmit  them  to  its 
future  generations. 

And  I  rejoice  that  his  liberality  is  not  restricted  by  the  limits  of  a 
town  ;  his  public  spirit  and  his  generous  purse  are  known  abroad ;  his 
generosity  is  becoming  chronic.  Who  will  remonstrate  if  it  become 
contagious  ?  If  our  ever-vigilant  Chief  Magistrate  should  learn  that  it 
was  spreading  into  other  towns  in  the  Commonwealth,  especially  in  the 
form  in  which  it  is  presented  to  our  delighted  vision  here  to-day,  I  do 
not  believe  he  would  hasten  to  appoint  Commissioners  to  stay  its  prog- 
ress ;  but  that,  instead,  he  would  exclaim,  "  All  right !  Let  it  spread  ! " 

In  the  old  Town  Hall  —  the  first  that  I  remember,  and  that  in  which 
many  of  us  cast  our  first  ballots  —  there  was  but  a  single  room,  and  a 
single  key  gave  entrance  to  all  its  accommodations.  A  large  bunch  of 
keys  is  required  to  open  the  various  halls  and  rooms  of  this  commodi- 
ous structure.  It  is  a  noble  edifice,  grand  in  purpose,  admirable  in 
design,  costly  and  beautiful  in  build  and  finish  ;  an  honor  to  the  town 
of  Wakefield,  and  to  the  renowned  old  Commonwealth  of  Massachu- 
setts. 

For  myself,  as  a  citizen  of  the  town,  I  thank  the  noble  donor  for  his 
munificent  benefaction.  For  the  more  than  four  thousand  inhabitants 
of  the  town  of  Wakefield,  I  tender  heartfelt,  earnest  thanks.  And  I 
am  justified  in  saying  that  the  people's  gratitude  to  Mr.  Wakefield  will 
increase,  as  the  privileges  and  blessings  he  has  conferred  upon  them 
shall  be  accepted  and  enjoyed. 

I  cannot  doubt  that  the  citizens  of  the  town  will  receive  the  gift  with 
a  desire,  and  with  the  purpose  to  regard  the  donor's  wishes  in  relation 
to  its  use.  And  I  know  his  aspirations  will  be  satisfied,  if  the  keys 
which  unlock  these  material  doors  shall  be  the  medium  to  unlock 
human  hearts  ;  to  open  to  the  light  of  truth  and  knowledge  immaterial 
and  imperishable  minds. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Building  Committee,  Mr.  Allen,  here  read  a 
letter  from  His  Excellency  Gov.  Claflin,  regretting  his  inability  to  share 
in  the  delights  of  the  occasion. 

Dr.  George  B.  Loring,  of  Salem,  was  introduced  to  the  audience, 
and  spoke  as  follows  :  — 


APPENDIX. 


783 


LADIES  AND  GENTLEMEN  : 

I  have  listened  with  great  interest  to  the  exercises  of  the  afternoon, 
in  which  your  own  citizens  have  in  graceful  and  appropriate  phrase 
dedicated  the  gift  which  your  generous  townsman  has  made,  and 
around  which  he  has  woven  his  own  well-expressed  views  upon  the 
value  and  importance  of  education  to  a  free  community. 

But  it  is  not  alone  the  liberality  of  him  who  has  presented  this  beau- 
tiful hall  to  the  town  which  bears  his  name,  that  we  are  called  upon  to 
remember ;  for  there  is  a  significance  in  the  gift  itself  which  should  not 
escape  our  notice.  The  earth  is  strewn  with  representative  and  signifi- 
cant structures,  designed  to  mark  the  memorable  events  of  history,  or 
to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the  great  and  good;'  or  adapted  to  the 
civilization  by  which  they  are  surrounded.  The  forms  of  heroes  have 
been  preserved  with  ideal  beauty  in  marble  and  bronze ;  to  the  mem- 
ory of  saints  has  the  grandeur  of  churches  and  cathedrals  arisen ;  to 
gratify  a  depraved  and  savage  taste,  the  splendors  of  the  amphitheatre 
have  been  dedicated ;  to  mark  the  lines  of  social  distinction,  gorgeous 
and  resplendent  halls  have  been  devoted.  To  art  and  architecture  do 
we  owe  the  elaborate  and  interesting  records  which  man  has  left  be- 
hind him  of  his  religious  faith,  his  personal  distinction,  his  social  rela- 
tions, and  his  civil  institutions.  All  around  us  stand  the  monuments 
which  he  has  erected  to  himself,  to  society,  the  church,  and  the  state. 
Among  these  significant  structures  shall  stand  this  building,  which  you 
now  dedicate  to  the  intellectual  and  civil  service  of  this  town.  Here 
may  the  inquiring  mind  find  opportunity  to  traverse  the  paths  of  knowl- 
edge, led  by  those  who,  in  the  form  of  public  address,  would  instruct 
their  fellow-men.  Here  may  the  municipal  duties  of  this  thriving  and 
prosperous  town  be  discharged  in  a  manner  worthy  of  intelligent  free- 
men, clothed  with  the  responsibilities  of  citizenship.  Tell  me,  if  you 
can,  what  nobler  structure  can  arise  than  that  which  has  for  its  founda- 
tion the  cultivated  mind  and  the  broadest  civil  freedom  of  an  American 
community.  Nowhere  but  in  our  own  land  is  a  place  to  be  found  for 
such  a  public  edifice,  — r  a  hall  for  popular  lectures,  and  a  citadel  for  the 
defence  of  the  highest  popular  rights.  You  may  well  congratulate 
yourselves  on  the  possession.  You  may  well  congratulate  yourselves 
that  prosperity  has  attended  the  path  of  one  who  knows  so  well  how  to 
use  her  gifts. 

To  the  old  and  the  young  I  would  commend  the  example  of  your 
benefactor.  Recognizing  the  privileges  which  are  the  inheritance  of 
every  American,  he  has  done  what  he  could  to  perpetuate  them.  An 
enterprising  citizen,  he  would  develop  an  enterprising  town.  I  am 


APPENDIX. 

sure  he  learned  in  his  youth  the  value  of  public  instruction  and  the 
advantages  to  be  derived  from  courteous  demeanor  in  public  places. 
And  we  have  before  us  a  noble  illustration  of  that  mature  wisdom  and 
philanthropy  which  gave  Wakefield  a  name,  and  opened  these  ample 
doors  for  the  instruction  and  elevation  of  her  people. 

Judge  Thomas  Russell,  collector  of  the  port  of  Boston,  who  was  intro- 
duced as  "  a  citizen  of  no  mean  city,"  made  the  subjoined  address :  — 

MY  FRIENDS  :  I  am  glad  to  have  the  opportunity  of  joining  with  you 
as  you  dedicate  this  magnificent  building  to  free  government,  to  loyalty, 
and  to  enlarged  education.  The  sunshine  without  is  reflected  on  your 
faces ;  and  how  happily  you  have  united  the  past,  present,  and  future. 
We  are  all  enjoying  the  present ;  Mr.  Eaton  has  told  us  of  the  past ; 
and  when  you  announce  the  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth,  and  then 
call  upon  Dr.  Loring  for  a  speech,  you  certainly  borrow  from  the  future. 

But  what  shall  I  say  ?  As  I  looked  at  your  long  order  of  exercises, 
.  all  to  be  exhausted  before  dinner,  I  thought  not  of  your  poet,  but  of 
Gray's  famous  ode  on  "  A  Distant  Prospect  of  Eton."  Yet  variety  and 
fitness  have  made  the  exercises  seem  short ;  and  I  am  still  without  a 
subject.  I  looked  to  the  children  in  the  galleries,  and  thought  how 
soon  this  town  would  be  ruled  by  these  boys  —  and  girls.  (O  wise 
forethought !  which  doubled  the  size  of  this  hall,  so  that  the  men  in  a 
few  years  might  bring  their  wives  and  sisters  with  them  to  town-meet- 
ing.) I  was  glad,  not  only  to  see  the  boys,  but  to  hear  them.  Even 
their  shrillest  whistles  reminded  me  of  the  young  declaimer,  who  thus 
repeated  a  famous  passage  of  Chatham  :  "  The  poor  man's  house 
is  his  castle  ;  the  wind  may  whistle  round  it ;  but  the  King  of  England 
cannot  whistle  in  it."  Long  life  to  these  young  republicans,  and  may 
they  never  know  rattan,  except  as  a  material  for  manufacture  !  And 
the  sight  of  these  boys  and  girls  suggested  education  as  a  fit  theme  for 
the  day ;  but  Mr.  Wakefield  has  already  said  all  that  can  be  said  on 
that  subject,  and  more  than  he  has  said  he  had  done  long  ago.  Before 
coming  here  I  had  glanced  at  a  geographical  gazette,  and  learned  that 
the  thriving  town  of  Wakefield,  in  Yorkshire,  was  most  famous  for  its 
grammar  school,  from  'which  have  gone  some  of  the  first  scholars  of 
England.  It  is  a  happy  coincidence  that  the  name  has  already  been 
associated  with  devotion  to  learning.  To-day  we  have  one  illustration 
more  of  the  effect  of  education :  the  wealth,  of  which  this  generous 
gift  is  a  fragment,  sprung  from  a  humble  red  school-house  in  New 
Hampshire. 


APPENDIX. 


785 


I  would  have  spoken  of  towns,  and  of  the  influence  of  town-meet- 
ings on  American  history ;  but  that  subject  has  already  been  made 
familiar  to  you.  Only  let  me  say  this,  Does  any  one  think  this  hall 
more  spacious  than  is  needed  ?  Then  let  treason  raise  its  head  once 
more,  let  rebellion  again  threaten  the  Union,  and  every  inch  of  space 
shall  be  thronged  by  your  loyal  people.  Nor  would  the  living  come  alone. 
Every  name  on  those  marble  tablets  beneath  would  be  represented. 
From  hospital  and  prison  and  battle-field  your  departed  heroes  would 
rally  once  more  for  the  endangered  land  and  the  insulted  flag. 

The  building  is  a  natural  subject  of  remark,  but  it  speaks  for  itself. 
From  foundation  stone,  from  Ionic  pillar,  from  frescoed  ceiling,  come 
praises  of  that  spirit  which  gains  wealth,  not  for  sullen  hoarding,  not 
for  selfish  pleasure,  but  for  wise  and  beneficent  liberality.  I  admired 
the  report  of  your  committee.  Indeed,  I  always  admire  Fanner  Allen. 
Years  ago  when  I  went  as  a  boy  to  hear  him  lecture,  I  used  to  wonder 
whether  he  was  not  connected  with  the  Daniel  of  whom  we  read  ;  and 
I  was  inclined  to  believe  it,  because  that  Daniel's  countenance,  also, 
was  "  fairer  and  fatter  "  than  the  faces  of  his  neighbors.  No  wonder 
that  the  lions  would  not  eat  him,  we  used  to  think,  as  we  pictured 
them  listening  all  night  to  his  stories,  and  roaring,  not  with  rage  but 
with  laughter. 

You  must  all  have  been  pleased  with  the  financial  part  of  the  report, 
"Services  and  expenses  of  building  committee  —  nothing."  Your 
expenses  down  to  zero  ;  the  generosity  of  your  fellow-citizens  up  to  fever 
heat.  It  is  one  benefit  of  such  gifts  as  this,  that  they  stimulate  other 
givers.  Mr.  Wakefield  was  not  without  generous  example  at  home,  but 
his  own  example  seems  to  have  inspired  him  most,  for  beginning  with 
a  promise  of  thirty  thousand  dollars,  he  ends  with  this  munificent 
donation.  He  wisely  enjoys  his  gifts,  instead  of  postponing  his  liber- 
ality till  his  estate  ceases  to  be  his  own.  The  poet  says  :  — 

"  I}ie,  and  endow  a  college  —  or  a  cat" 

You  [to  Mr.  Wakefield]  know  a  trick  worth  two  of  that.     Live,  and 
long  as  you  live  enjoy  the  fruit  of  your  beneficence  to  your  neighbors. 

The  22d  of  February  is  a  good  day  for  this  dedication  ;  and  while  we 
are  all  familiar  with  the  patriotism  of  Washington  in  war,  let  us  remem- 
ber to-day  that  he  showed  his  public  spirit,  also,  by  developing  the 
resources  of  the  country  and  by  furnishing  employment  to  the  people. 
He  did  not  disdain  to  be,  with  one  exception,  the  richest  man  in 
America  ;  he  knew  that  wealth  is  honorable  when  it  is  gained  by  honest 

99 


;86 


APPENDIX. 


work  and  consecrated  to  noble  uses ;  he  knew  that  before  a  man  of 
business  can  gain  the  means  to  support  a  poor  family  by  charity,  he 
has  fed  a  score  of  families  by  the  industry  which  is  better  than  charity. 
Foremost  in  promoting  internal  improvements,  always  the  friend  of 
commerce,  it  is  one  of  the  glories  of  Washington  that,  after  securing 
the  independence  of  America,  he  sought  so  to  foster  the  industrial  arts 
that  every  citizen  might  achieve  personal  independence. 

In  this,  as  in  other  fields,  President  Grant  follows  in  the  footsteps  of 
our  great  deliverer.  He  recommends  measures  for  the  revival  of  com- 
merce ;  he  urges  them  on  an  unwilling  Congress  ;  he  repeats  them  even 
to  deaf  ears  ;  he  begs  that  legislation  may  restore  to  the  sea  that  stainless 
flag  under  which  he  triumphed  on  the  land.  Honor  to  the  statesmen 
who  make  the  employment  of  people  their  care  ;  and  honor  to-day,  and 
always,  to  the  merchant  and  the  manufacturer  who  organize  labor  ;  who 
develop  the  wealth  of  nations  ;  who  "maintain  the  state  of  the  world." 
The  poorest  of  us  should  look  upon  their  riches  not  with  envy,  but  with 
respect  and  gratitude.  A  hundred  homes  must  be  supported  in  com- 
fort before  a  great  fortune  can  be  accumulated  by  commerce. 

It  is  a  gratifying  thought  that  one  busy  brain  here  in  quiet  Wakefield 
is  employing  and  feeding  men  and  women  in  all  parts  of  the  globe  ;  that 
richly-freighted  ships  (eighteen  last  year)  are  now,  in  obedience  to 
a  single  will,  crossing  the  Atlantic  and  Indian  Oceans  ;  that  these  ships 
are  bringing  cargoes  valued  at  millions  of  dollars,  and  destined  to  gain 
by  labor  millions  more  of  value  ;  that  in  the  jungles  of  India,  by  the 
water-side  of  Singapore,  in  the  perfumed  forests  of  the  Spice  Islands* 
men  are  now  gladly  doing  the  work  of  our  friend.  You  are  resting 
to-day,  but  resting  in  comfort  and  in  peace,  because  so  many  of  you  are 
sure  of  well-paid  employment,  provided  by  the  industry  of  your  fellow- 
citizen. 

It  was  said  of  Washington,  in  words  now  familiar  to  all  ears, 
"  Heaven  left  him  childless  that  a  nation  might  call  him  father."  Oh 
[to  Mr.  Wakefield],  how  large  a  family  receive  their  daily  bread  from 
your  hands  !  Long  may  you  live  to  enjoy  the  gratitude  of  your  neigh- 
bor; long  may  this  good  town  thrive  and  grow  ;  long  may  this  build- 
ing stand  ;  and  as  long  as  it  stands,  it  shall  be  a  monument  of  business 
ability,  of  successful  enterprise,  and  of  wise  liberality. 

After  another  performance  by  the  band,  the  benediction,  by  Rev.  M. 
B.  Chapman,  concluded  the  afternoon  exercises. 

At  six  o'clock  there  was  a  grand  banquet  in  the  upper  hall,  to  which 
about  four  hundred  persons  sat  down,  Mr.  A.  A.  Currier,  of  this  town, 


APPENDIX.  787 

being  the  caterer.  Daniel  Allen,  Esq.,,  presided  ;  Rev.  Francis  Smith, 
of  Providence,  invoked  the  Divine  blessing.  When  all  had  partaken  to 
their  satisfaction,  the  President  announced  Thomas  Winship,  Esq.,  as 
toast-master.  The  applause  which  followed  showed  that  the  company 
considered  the  nomination  "fit  to  be  made."  The  toasts  were  as 
follows  :  — 

The  President  of  the  United  States.  —  He  seems  to  be  distinguished 
for  great  deeds,  rather  than  great  speeches.  And  yet  the  greatest  speech 
made  during  the  Rebellion  —  the  key-note  to  his  character  —  was  that 
in  which  he  said  :  "  I  propose  to  fight  it  out  on  this  /inf." 

Response  —  "  Hail  Columbia,"  by  the  Band. 

Francis  Smith  was  an  early  settler  of  this  town,  whose  residence  was 
near  where  is  now  the  Junction  railroad  station.  He  was  authorized 
by  the  Colony  Court,  in  1650,  to  draw  wine  for  earthly  travellers,  for 
which  he  received  money  and  price.  To-day,  his  lineal  descendant  and 
namesake  of  the  eighth  generation  is  authorized  by  a  higher  Court  to 
offer  to  heavenly  travellers  wine  and  milk  without]  money  and  without 
price. 

Response  by  Rev.  Francis  Smith,  of  Providence,  R.  I. 

The  State  of  Massachusetts.  —  While  she  encourages  education, 
together  with  the  arts  and  sciences,  she  also  delights  to  honor  with  the 
highest  office  in  her  gift  one  who  is  a  well  known  representative  of  an 
important  branch  of  her  manufacturing  interests. 

Response  by  Hon.  Harrison  Tweed,  a  native  of  this  town,  and  now 
President  of  the  Taunton  Locomotive  Works. 

The  Merchants  of  Boston.  —  While  they  are  justly  proud  of  their  rep- 
utation for  business  sagacity  and  wealth,  let  them  not  despise  the  day 
of  small  things,  —  since  one  of  their  number,  who  in  early  life  was  known 
only  as  the  son  of  a  Carpenter,  is  now  an  enterprising  and  successful 
merchant. 

Response  by  George  O.  Carpenter,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  recently  of  this 
town. 

The  Clergy.  —  However  much  we  may  have  enjoyed  the  "  benefit  of 
clergy  "in  the  past,  we  associate  unalloyed  Bliss  with  the  "benefit" 
which  has  been  arranged  for  us  on  this  occasion. 

Response  by  Rev.  C.  R.  Bliss. 

Our  Manufacturing  Industries.  —  Since  they  profitably  employ  the 
wealth  of  our  capitalists,  the  brains  of  our  mechanics,  and  the  hands  of 


788 


APPENDIX. 


the  great  mass  of  the  people,  they  should  be  regarded  as  the  chief  source 
of  our  material  prosperity. 

Response  by  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Esq. 

Dr.  S.  O.  Richardson.  —  His  interest  in  the  "  Richardson  Light 
Guard  "  and  Wakefield  band,  and  the  material  aid  he  has  given  to 
both,  together  with  his  liberal  donation  towards  furnishing  the  rooms  in 
this  building,  entitle  him  to  the  lasting  gratitude  of  our  soldiers,  musi- 
cians, and  citizens  generally. 

Response  by  the  Band. 

Public  Schools.  —  May  those  who  attempt  to  "  teach  the  young  idea 
how  to  shoot"  always  bear  in  mind  that  they  will  miss  the  mark,  unless 
their  aims  are  right. 

Response  by  Hon.  P.  H.  Sweetser. 

The  Farmers  of  New  England.  —  The  general  intelligence  which 
they  exhibit  affords  us  abundant  evidence  that  their  own  heads,  as  well 
as  their  cabbage-heads,  improve  by  cultivation  ;  and  we  are  well  assured 
that  one  intelligent  head  will  do  the  head-work  of  farms  better  than  a 
hundred  head  of —  block-heads. 

Response  by  Dr.  George   B.  Loring,  of  Salem. 

'1 he  State  Printer.  —  An  indescribable  type  of  character. 
Response  by  Robert  K.  Potter,  Esq.,  of  Boston. 

Though  obliged  to  omit  all  reports  of  the  responses,  we  cannot  forbear 
noting  the  fact  that  Dr.  Loring  touched  upon  the  woman's  suffrage 
question  ;  and  as  for  "  woman's  rights,"  said  he,  "  I  go  for  them."  Still 
he  thought  we  did  not  duly  consider  the  fact  that  in  many  respects  the 
women  held  the  men  completely  in  their  power.  A  man  could  not  deed 
away  a  rod  of  land  without  the  consent  of  his  wife.  For  instance,  he 
noticed  that  the  deed  by  which  the  town  came  into  possession  of  this 
edifice  also  contained  the  name  of  Eliza  A.  Wakefield.  [Loud  applause.] 
And  here  the  eloquent  speaker  expatiated  on  the  power  as  well  as  the 
rights  of  women ;  and  when  he  closed,  three  thundering  cheers  were 
given  for  Mrs.  Wakefield. 

Remarks  were  also  made  by  Prof.  B.  F.  Tweed,  of  Charlestown,.  Rev. 
Francis  Smith,  of  Providence,  Henry  D.  Smith,  Esq.,  of  Worcester,  and 
others.  The  mirth-producing  tilt  of  words  between  Messrs.  Allen, 
Potter,  Tweed,  and  Smith,  added  zest  and  interest  to  the  occasion,  and 
could  not  well  have  been  dispensed  with. 

Thus  ended  one  of  the  most  memorable  days  in 'the  history  of  the 
town  of  Wakefield,  the  records  of  which  occasion  will  be  perpetuated  to 
remote  generations. 


APPENDIX. 


789 


Q. 

[From  report  in  the  "  Wakefield  Cifiun."] 
THE  DEDICATION  OF  THE  NEW   HIGH  SCHOOL  HOUSE. 

For  practical  interest  in  education,  our  town,  whether  under  its  old 
name  of  South  Reading  or  its  newer  one  of  Wakefield,  has  always 
borne  an  honorable  reputation.  The  old  South  Reading  Academy, 
which  for  years  was  the  compeer  of  many  of  the  best  seminaries  of  the 
land,  and  sent  forth  some  of  our  ablest  citizens  from  its  halls,  was  a 
potent  agent  in  creating  that  advanced  sentiment  which  caused  the 
establishment  by  the  town  of  a  High  School,  when  possessed  of  only  a 
degree  of  the  population  and  property  deemed  essential  in  most  towns 
for  the  formation  of  so  advanced  a  grade. 

The  advance  of  the  general  standards  of  education,  the  upbuilding 
of  the  town,  and  the  long  insufficient  accommodations  of  the  old  High 
School  edifice,  have  for  some  years  forced  upon  the  attention  of  our 
citizens  the  daily  increased  demand  for  more  adequate  provision  for 
prospective  and  even  present  needs.  An  article  was  introduced  into 
the  warrant  for  the  town- meeting  of  April  3,  1871,  by  the  Hon.  P. 
H.  Sweetser,  a  life-long  friend  to  the  educational  interests  of  the  town, 
and  for  many  years  the  chairman  of  its  School  Board,  under  which 
action  might  be  taken  towards  the  establishment  of  a  more  commodious 
structure,  better  fitted  in  all  ways  for  the  purposes  of  a  High  School. 
The  action  upon  the  article  provided  for  the  appointment  of  a  commit- 
tee of  five  to  consider  the  whole  subject  of  the  educational  needs  of 
the  town,  and  report  at  a  future  meeting.  This  committee,  consisting 
of  five  of  our  most  esteemed  citizens,  Messrs.  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Lucius 
Beebe,  Oliver  Perkins,  Richard  Britton,  and  George  Packard,  reported 
at  the  town-meeting,  May  i,  1871,  in  favor  of  the  immediate  purchase 
of  land  and  the  erection  of  a  suitable  edifice  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  High  School.  The  report  of  the  committee  was  adopted,  and  they, 
as  the  building  committee,  proceeded  at  once  to  the  fulfilment  of  their 
duties,  the  result  of  which  is  the  very  elegant  and  ample  structure  situ- 
ated at  the  corner  of  Common  and  Lafayette  Streets,  on  the  site  foi- 
merly  occupied  by  the  old  Prentiss  house,  long  familiar  to  our  older 
citizens,  and  which  was  removed  after  the  purchase  of  the  land  for 
school  uses. 

The  lot  purchased  has  a  front  upon  Common  Street,  overlooking  the 
old  Park,  of  one  hundred  and  forty-six  feet,  and  upon  Lafayette  Street 
of  two  hundred  and  four  feet,  and  contains  28,154  square  feet,  afford- 


790 


APPENDIX. 


ing  ample  room  for  the  building,  and  leaving  space  for  ornamentation 
of  the  surrounding  lawns. 

The  building  consists  of  a  main  and  an  L  addition,  the  former  thirty- 
five  feet  eight  inches,  by  seventy-four  feet  six  inches,  the  latter  forty- 
eight  feet  by  fifty-two  feet  eight  inches,  and  is  a  blending,  in  several 
points,  of  the  various  styles  of  architecture,  the  porticoes  and  their 
ornamentation  being  beautiful  specimens  of  the  Ionic  order,  while 
there  are  delightful  croppings  out,  here  and  there,  of  some  of  the  other 
ancient  divisions,  with  expressions  of  the  modernized  lines.  The  base 
is  of  rough  granite  two  and  a  half  feet  in  height,  the  steps  of  ham- 
mered stone,  and  the  exterior  finish  is  of  wood  in  furrowed  sheathing, 
the  front  fagade  on  Common  Street  being  relieved  by  the  projection  of 
a  tower  and  portico,  and  by  heavy  based  pilasters  surmounted  by  Co- 
rinthian capitals  in  relief.  The  corbels  and  consoles  are  all  fine  speci- 
mens of  carved  work,  and  the  pediments  show  a  remarkably  pleasing 
effect  in  the  arrangement  of  their  dentels.  The  south  facade  is  relieved 
by  a  portico  rather  less  pretentious  than  that  on  the  front,  and  by  similar 
pilasters.  The  L  addition  has  along  its  southern  face  a  piazza,  the 
roof  of  which  is  supported  by  Ionic  columns.  The  rear  and  northern 
fagades  present  the  same  general  features  as  the  others.  The  front  has 
a  fine  mullioned  window  over  the  portico,  its  general  finish  being  a 
close  approach  to  the  Gothic,  and  very  elaborate  in  design.  The 
gutters  and  conductors  are  of  copper,  the  belt  about  the  roof  is  sur- 
mounted by  a  heavy  balustrade,  the  roof  itself  being  the  Mansard  pat- 
tern, slated  with  the  best  Welsh  slate,  and  crowned  with  two  ventilators 
of  the,  Robinson  pattern.  The  workmanship  throughout  is  of  the  best 
description  and  reflects  credit  upon  the  artisans.  The  entrances  to  the 
building  are  four :  the  large  main  entrance  in  front,  closed  with  double 
doors,  their  upper  panels  and  the  large  windows  over  the  doors  furnish- 
ing a  portion  of  light  for  the  main  hall ;  the  southern  entrance  to  the 
main  building  opening  into  a  wing  of  the  main  hall,  lighted  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  main  hall ;  the  entrance  from  the  southern  piazza  to  the 
L  of  the  building ;  and  another  door  upon  the  northern  side  of  the  L, 
intended  rather  as  a  special  way  of  exit  in  case  of  fire  than  an  ordi- 
nary avenue  of  ingress.  Passing  in  at  the  main  entrance  from  Com- 
mon Street  we  enter  the  main  hall,  eighteen  feet  six  inches,  by  twenty- 
two  feet  ten  inches,  from  which  doors  open  on  either  hand,  and  from 
the  inner  end  of  which  the  broad  double  staircase  ascends  to  the 
second  floor. 

Taking  the  first  door  to  the  right,  we  find  ourselves  in  the  Chemical- 
Room  of  the  High  School,  nineteen  feet  by  twenty-six,  the  only  apart 


APPENDIX. 


791 


ment  occupied  by  them,  except  the  cloak  rooms,  on  the  first  floor.  This 
room  is  elegantly  finished,  as  is  the  whole  of  the  interior  of  the  build- 
ing, in  selected  ash,  the  mouldings  of  which  are  very  heavy,  and  the 
windows  are  fitted  with  inside  ash  shutters  entirely  excluding  external 
light  whenever  experiments  requiring  darkness  render  it  desirable.  Too 
much  cannot  be  said  in  praise  of  the  wonderful  beauty  of  the  workman- 
ship throughout  the  building,  and  as  every  part  displays  the  same 
degree  of  excellence  we  notice  it  here  as  applicable  to  the  whole. 
From  this  room  a  doorway  gives  exit  through  the  janitor's  room  and 
one  of  the  cloak  rooms  of  the  Grammar  School  in  case  of  fire,  to  the 
escape  door,  on  the  north  of  the  building,  and  the  hall-way  opening  in 
the  south  adjoining  the  Chemical  Room,  and  opening  from  the  hall  is 
the  Janitor's  Room,  which  communicates  with  the  cloak-room  of  the 
Grammar  School,  and  thence  with  the  western  part  of  the  building,  and 
the  cellar,  thereby  giving  the  Janitor  ready  admission  to  all  parts  of  the 
edifice.  On  the  left  of  the  main  hall  is  the  large  and  finely  appointed 
cloak-room  for  the  young  ladies  of  the  High  School,  communicating 
with  the  water-cabinets  in  the  basement,  and  furnished  with  a  marble- 
topped  stationary  wash-bowl  and  case,  supplied  with  water  from  a  great 
tank  in  the  tower. 

Still  farther  to  the  left  opens  the  side  wing  of  the  main  hall,  com- 
municating with  the  southern  entrance  to  the  main  building  from  which 
opens  the  cloak-room  for  the  young  gentlemen  of  the  High  School, 
communicating  with  water-cabinets  in  the  basement,  and  furnished  like 
the  ladies'  room.  * 

Ascending  by  one  of  the  wings  of  the  fine  staircase,  we  find  our- 
selves on  the  second  floor  of  the  building,  the  whole  of  which  without 
reservation  is  devoted  to  the  use  of  the  teachers  and  scholars  of  our 
High  School ;  and  we  certainly  believe  that  nowhere  are  afforded  finer 
accommodations  or  greater  opportunities  for  the  culture  and  the  refine- 
ment that  tasteful  surroundings  give.  Occupying  the  whole  front  of  the 
building  on  one  side  of  the  passage  which  separates  them  from  the 
High  School  room  proper,  is  a  range  of  recitation  rooms  communicat- 
ing with  each  other,  and  furnished  with  blackboards  and  with  speaking 
tubes  and  bells,  communicating  with  the  Principal's  room. 

A  door  opens  into  the  High  School  room  at  each  end  of  the  hall, 
and  at  the  southerly  end  of  the  wall-way  is  a  library  room  for  the 
school,  and  at  the  opposite  end  a  teachers'  retiring  room,  furnished 
with  water-cabinet,  set  bowl,  etc.,  while  the  hall  itself  is  supplied  with 
the  unitorm  marble  bowl  and  case  before  described,  at  either  end. 
The  High  School  room  itself,  fifty-two  feet  by  fifty-one  feet  six  inches, 


792 


APPENDIX. 


is  without  doubt  one  of  the  finest  in  New  England,  well  lighted  and 
ventilated,  and  having  all  the  new  and  approved  conveniences  of  school 
furniture.  A  low,  roomy  platform  for  the  teachers  occupies  the  space 
between  the  two  entrance  doors,  and  convenient  to  the  Principal's  chair 
are  speaking  tubes  and  bell-pulls  communicating  with  all  the  rooms 
under  his  charge.  In  brief,  no  want  seems  unprovided  for,  and  under 
so  favorable  influences  we  cannot  doubt  that  new  aspirations  and  in- 
creased vigor  for  study  will  be  given  to  the  young  ladies  and  gentlemen 
who  are  to  occupy  these  advantages.  Arrangements  are  made  for 
lighting  the  entire  building  with  gas,  and  the  heating  apparatus  will  be 
referred  to  in  another  connection.  Returning  to  the  hall,  we  pass  up  a 
wing  of  a  second  double  staircase  leading  to  the  third  story,  and  find 
ourselves  in  the  space  formed  by  the  Mansard  roof,  the  portion  of 
which  immediately  above  the  High  School  room  it  is  intended  to 
devote  to  the  purpose  of  an  Exhibition  Hall,  though  we  doubt  the 
utility  of  this,  from  its  elevation,  its  inconvenient  arrangement  of  iron 
rods  which  support  the  floor,  from  the  facts  that  it  cannot  be  heated  by 
the  furnace,  and  that  the  High  School  room  is  so  much  better  for  the 
purpose.  The  front  part  of  the  roof  is  occupied  by  large  rooms  suita- 
ble for  various  uses,  and  the  tank  room  in  the  tower,  where  the  water 
of  the  -roof  is  collected  and  thence  distributed  to  the  various  water- 
pipes  of  the  building. 

Returning  to  the  outer  air,  we  pass  around  the  southerly  fa9ade  of 
the  main  building  and  enter  from  the  beautiful  Ionic  piazza  the  hall  of 
the  advanced  Grammar  School,  for  which  arrangements  of  equal  com- 
pleteness and  beauty  with  those  of  the  High  School  have  been  provided. 
On  the  left  of  the  hall  as  we  enter  is  the  first  door  opening  into  the 
school-room  proper,  and  on  the  right,  immediately  opposite,  is  the 
teachers'  retiring  room,  furnished  like  those  on  the  second  floor,  with 
water-cabinets,  marble  bowl,  and  other  conveniences,  the  hall  being 
also  provided  with  the  uniform  marble-topped  bowl  and  case  for  the 
use  of  the  scholars.  The  second  door  on  the  right  enters  the  girls' 
cloak-room,  communicating  with  water-cabinets  in  the  basement,  and 
the  third  door  to  the  right  enters  the  boys'  coat-room,  also  communi- 
cating with  water-cabinets  below  stairs.  The  fourth  door  on  the  right 
leads  to  the  large  recitation  room,  fourteen  feet  ten  inches,  by  twenty- 
two  feet,  for  the  Grammar  School,  provided  with  all  the  facilities  of 
the  other  recitation  rooms  in  the  building ;  and  the  fifth  and  last  door 
upon  the  right  of  the  hall  opens  into  the  small  vestibule  of  the  north 
door,  valuable  chiefly  as  a  fire  escape.  The  second  door  on  the  left 
of  the  hall  and  at  its  northerly  end,  directly  opposite  the  entrance  to 


APPENDIX. 


793 


the  recitation  room,  enters  the  school-room  proper  of  the  Advanced 
Grammar  School,  thirty-five  feet  by  forty-one  feet  six  inches,  and 
equal  in  all  its  appointments  to  the  High  School  room  immediately 
above.  Descending  to  the  basement  by  one  of  the  four  flights  leading 
thereto,  we  find  a  spacious  and  well-arranged  area  for  coal  bunkers, 
fuel,  and  heating  apparatus,  and  separated  from  this  area  by  brick  par- 
titions, the  water-cabinet  arrangements  for  the  several  schools,  also 
subdivided  by  brick  walls.  The  materials  throughout  the  building  are 
of  the  best  quality,  and  of  the  workmanship  enough  has  already  been 
said.  The  tower  of  the  edifice  beautifully  surmounts  the  whole,  and 
its  platform  affords  a  fine  view  of  th,e  surrounding  scenery,  and  we 
presume  will  often  attract  the  young  star-gazers  of  our  High  School 
with  their  new  telescope. 

To  this  completed  and  elegant  temple  of  learning  there  gathered  a 
large  and  appreciative  audience  on  Thursday  afternoon  (Oct.  10),  to 
participate  in  the  dedication  of  the  structure  to  the  purposes  for  which 
it  was  designed,  and  there  has  rarely  occurred  in  our  time  a  more  richly 
enjoyable  occasion  of  happy  expression  and  retainable  merit  than  was 
afforded  in  the  exercises  of  the  day  and  the  event.  John  S.  Eaton, 
Esq.,  by  invitation  of  the  School  Board,  filled  most  acceptably  the 
position  of  Chairman  of  the  day,  and  among  those  invited  who  fa- 
vored the  occasion  with  their  presence  were  Prof.  B.  F.  Tweed,  of 
Charlestown,  Gen.  H.  K.  Oliver,  of  the  Bureau  of  Statistics  of  Massa- 
chusetts, Rev.  Dr.  J.  W.  Chickering,  Henry  D.  Smith,  Esq.,  Edward 
Mansfield,  Esq.,  long  connected  with  the  School  Board,  the  Board  of 
Selectmen,  the  School  Committee,  and  representatives  of  the  press. 

The  members  of  the  High  School  occupied  seats  on  the  extreme 
left  of  the  house,  and  every  available  foot  of  space  was  occupied  by 
the  refined  and  intellectual  audience.  The  Wakefield  Orchestra  fur- 
nished acceptable  music,  their  renderings  being  in  fine  taste. 

The  exercises  commenced  at  two  o'clock  by  invocation  by  Rev.  W. 
F.  Potter,  of  the  Universalist  Church,  followed  by  music  by  the 
orchestra. 

Richard  Britton,  Esq.,  acting  for  the  Building  Committee,  then 
transferred  the  charge  of  the  building  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Board 
of  Selectmen,  John  S.  Eaton,  Esq.,  in  the  following  brief  but  compre- 
hensive address : — 

MR.  CHAIRMAN  :  On  me  unexpectedly  devolves  to-day,  as  the  rep- 
resentative of  the  building  committee  of  the  town,  charged  with  the 


100 


794 


APPENDIX. 


construction  of  this  edifice,  the  pleasant  duty  of  consigning  to  your 
hands  the  care  and  custody  thereof. 

The  foresight  of  our  citizens  which  anticipated  the  demand  for  in- 
creased educational  facilities,  caused  by  our  rapid  growth  as  a  town, 
and  which  has  eventuated  in  the  erection'  of  this  beautiful  structure, 
found  its  earliest  public  expression  in  an  article  introduced  into  the 
warrant  for  the  town-meeting  of  April  3,  1871,  by  a  gentleman 
whose  name  has  for  years  been  honorably  identified  with  the  educa- 
tional interests  of  this  municipality,  the  then  chairman  of  the  School 
Board,  now  gone  to  his  rest,  the  Hon.  P.  H.  Sweetser.  The  action 
upon  this  article,  which  contemplated  the  possible  conversion  of  the  old 
town  house  to  school  purposes,  resulted  in  the  appointment  of  a  commit- 
tee of  five,  who  should  take  into  consideration  the  whole  subject-matter 
of  construction,  and  report  at  a  future  meeting.  On  this  committee  were 
appointed  Messrs.  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Lucius  Beebe,  Oliver  Perkins,  Rich- 
ard Britton,  and  George  Packard.  The  report  of  this  committee,  after 
a  careful  review  of  the  needs  of  our  entire  school  system,  unanimously 
recommended  the  immediate  purchase  of  land  and  the  erection  of  a 
commodious  edifice  for  High  School  purposes,  and  this  report  was 
adopted.  The  eligible  lot  on  which  this  building  now  stands,  contain- 
ing 28,154  square  feet,  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of  nine  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  fifty-four  dollars,  and  ground  was  broken  for  the  new  enter- 
prise on  the  sixteenth  day  of  September,  1871. 

From  the  various  plans  submitted,  that  of  John  Stevens,  Esq.,  one 
of  our  citizens,  was  selected  as  most  nearly  meeting  the  necessities  of 
the  case,  and  according  to  its  provisions  the  building  has  been  erected 
at  an  expense  closely  approximating  forty-three  thousand  dollars.  In 
addition  to  ample  accommodation  for  a  High  School  of  large  numbers, 
the  building  contains  provision  for  an  advanced  Grammar  School,  an 
exhibition  hall,  and  every  advantage  and  convenience  that  the  advanced 
state  of  culture  in  school  architecture  has  suggested  and  found 
desirable. 

It  has  been  suggested  that  the  considerable  expense  which  the  com- 
pletion of  this  structure  has  occasioned  the  town,  largely  in  advance  of 
previous  investments  in  this  line,  and  even  of  the  expectations  of  our 
citi^ns,  is  ill-considered  and  unwise  ;  but  far  in  advance  of  the  considera- 
tion of  cost  is  to  be  placed  the  expectation  of  return  therefrom.  The  gold 
that  glitters  is  not  to  be  placed  in  the  scale  against  the  richer  worth  of  the 
culture  and  education  of  mind  and  heart  given  by  such  surroundings  as 
these.  Who  shall  predict  what  achievements  in  all  that  is  good  and 
great  shall  here  have  their  germs  planted  in  the  minds  of  some  of  the 


APPENDIX. 


795 


most  humble  of  birth  by  the  refinements  that  here  alone  shall  greet  the 
eye  whose  home  is  amid  poverty  and  wretchedness  !.  To  the  liberality 
of  heart  and  hand  which  makes  such  agencies  of  education  as  this 
possible,  and  which  resides  pre-eminently  in  our  midst,  is  due  the  posi- 
tion of  America  to-day  among  the  nations  ;  and  the  people  of  this  com- 
munity will  doubtless  long  enjoy,  not  less  the  commendation  of  their 
own  hearts,  than  the  congratulations  of  all  who  shall  visit  us,  upon  the 
possession  of  so  glorious  a  monument  to  one  of  our  cardinal  principles, 
—  the  education  of  the  common  people. 

To  the  citizens  for  their  liberality  and  their  patience,  to  the  faithful 
endeavors  of  the  artisans,  one  and  all,  to  those  who  have  aided  in  mani- 
fold ways  the  labors  of  your  committee,  we  desire  to  express  our  pro- 
found sense  of  gratitude ;  and  it  is  no  small  degree  of  satisfaction  and 
relief  that  we  feel  in  witnessing  the  completion  of  what  must  prove  in 
such  an  undertaking,  at  best  an  arduous  and  trying  task. 

In  discharge  of  the  trust  committed  to  the  committee,  and  in  their 
behalf,  I  have  the  honor  to  surrender  to  you  the  keeping  of  this  edifice, 
and  the  emblems  thereof. 

Mr.  Eaton,  on  receiving  the  keys,  responded  as  follows :  — 
MR.  CHAIRMAN,  AND  GENTLEMEN  OF  THE  BUILDING  COMMITTEE  : 

To  my  present  official  position  am  I  indebted  for  the  honor,  as  well  as 
the  pleasure,  of  receiving  from  your  hands,  on  behalf  of  the  town  of  Wake- 
field,  this  magnificent  temple  of  science.  Our  citizens,  never  backward 
in  furnishing  such  educational  facilities  as  from  time  to  time  have 
seemed  to  be  required,  for  the  erection  of  this  school  edifice  have 
poured  wealth  from  their  treasury  in  unusual  measure ;  and  they  have 
watched  its  construction  with  peculiar  interest  and  pride,  as  under 
skilful  hands  it  has  grown  into  symmetry,  with  added  cornice  and  col- 
umn and  capital,  until  it  stood  completed  and  commanding. 

Appropriately  reared  upon  a  site  alike  historic  and  venerable,  around 
which  cluster  cherished  memories  of  ancient  worthies  and  teachers,  it 
reveals  its  ample  and  admirable  proportions  in  finished  beauty,  an 
ornament  and  an  honor  to  our  town.  Its  eminent  location,  flanked  by 
churches,  in  accordance  with  the  true  New  England  custom,  would 
seem  to  render  it  secure  from  all  heretical  influences  ;  and  we  may 
readily  adopt  the  familiar  lines  of  Whittier :  — 

"  Nor  heed  the  skeptic's  puny  hands, 
While  near  our  school  the  church-spire  stands ; 
Nor  fear  the  bigot's  blinded  rule, 
While  near  our  church-spire  stands  the  school." 


796  APPENDIX. 

In  the  years  that  are  yet  future,  may  there  go  forth  from  this  temple  an 
army  of  scholars,  thorough,  earnest,  brilliant,  for  such  will  ever  find  full 
scope  for  the  finest  culture  in  the  broadest  fields  of  humanity.  May  it 
prove  indeed  a  treasure-house  of  knowledge,  and  may  the  wealth  which 
shall  be  gathered  from  within  its  walls  exceed  the  material  wealth  which 
constructed  them  a  thousand  fold ! 

In  this  place,  and  on  this  occasion,  we  cannot  forget  those  familiar 
forms  which  are  missing  from  this  assembly,  or  the  voices  which  are 
silent  to-day.  One  amidst  the  snows  of  winter,  and  one  amidst  the  fresh- 
ness and  fragrance  of  June,  they  both  passed  serenely  on  before  us  to  a 
celestial  atmosphere  within  a  grander  temple,  and  to  the  enjoyment  of 
a  knowledge  perfect  and  perpetual. 

Them  shall  no  sunshine  from  the  fields  of  azure, 

No  light  of  home  or  hall, 
No  summons  sent  from  crowded  marts  of  treasure, 

Again  to  duty  call. 

And  all  life's  problems  and  equations, 

So  intricate  before, 
Now  solved,  amid  the  infinite  creations, 

Are  mysteries  no  more  1 

In  closing,  permit  me  to  express  to  you,  Mr.  Chairman,  and  to  the 
members  of  the  committee  whom  you  represent,  on  behalf  of  the  citi- 
zens of  Wakefield,  their  full  appreciation  of  the  fidelity  which  has 
marked  the  performance  of  the  duties  assigned  you,  and  of  the  satisfac- 
tory result  of  your  efforts.  And  now  I  shall  be  pleased  to  transfer  the 
keys  of  this  new  school  building  to  the  chairman  of  the  school  com- 
mittee, upon  whom  its  immediate  care  will  devolve,  confident  that  under 
such  guardianship  it  will  ever  remain  uninjured  and  beautiful. 

On  receiving  the  keys  from  the  chairman  of  the  selectmen,  Rev.  Mr. 
Bliss,  in  the  subjoined  excellent  address,  delivered  the  keys  to  the  prin- 
cipal of  the  High  School. 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  the  school  committee  accept,  for  the 
purposes  of  education  in  Wakefield,  this  beautiful  edifice.  They  con- 
gratulate the  people  of  the  town  that  a  need  that  was  beginning  to  be 
deeply  felt  has  been  supplied.  Though  they  are  not  as  a  body  to  be 
credited  with  any  active  participation  in  the  work  of  planning  or  rearing 
this  building,  having  been  wholly  relieved  of  that  responsibility  by  the 
labors  of  another  committee  appointed  by  the  town  for  the  purpose, 


APPENDIX. 


797 


they  yet  have  watched  the  progress  of  the  work,  and  believe  that  it  has 
been  carried  forward  with  great  skill  and  care.  They  hope  that  the 
building,  so  beautiful  both  without  and  within,  will  be  found  in  its  use 
to  be  fully  adapted  to  all  the  purposes  for  which  it  has  been  reared. 

The  liberality  shown  by  the  town  in  the  erection  of  this  house  has 
been  very  great,  so  great,  indeed,  as  to  have  provoked  the  remark  that 
it  has  been  excessive ;  and  there  are,  perhaps,  some  who  would  have 
preferred  a  less  imposing  and  expensive  structure.  Far  shall  it  be 
from  me  to  defend  extravagance,  whether  it  be  in  school-houses  or 
dwelling-houses  or  churches ;  and  yet  there  seem  to  me  to  be  good  and 
sound  reasons  why  a  building  devoted  to  the  uses  of  education  should 
be  one  of  the  most  commanding  and  comely  in  the  town.  Taxes  are 
indeed  sometimes  onerous  ;  debts  are  generally  curses,  whoever  have 
them  to  pay:  nevertheless,  good  buildings  are  educators  of  no  mean 
power ;  and  when  devoted  not  to  purposes  of  folly,  nor  yet  to  purposes 
of  gain,  but  to  the  noble  end  of  educating  the  young,  they  can  hardly 
be  too  good.  Without  discussing  the  question  whether  a  few  thousand 
dollars  less  might  not  have  sufficed  for  this  building,  I  yet  count  upon 
the  agreement  of  all  present  when  I  say,  that  it  is  altogether  fit  and 
proper  that  the  finest  architecture  which  any  town  is  able  to  display 
should  be  that  devoted  to  the  twin  purposes  of  religion  and  education. 
Those  things  which  we  prize  most,  as  the  sources  of  our  prosperity  and 
our  strongest  safeguard,  should  receive  the  most  emphatic  expression. 
There  is  an  incongruity  in  building  for  ourselves  fine  private  dwellings 
and  then  erecting  a  cheap  and  uncomely  church,  —  and  were  this  the 
place,  we  would  congratulate  our  Baptist  brethren  upon  the  elegant 
structure  with  which  they  have  graced  our  street.  They  have  taxed 
themselves  heavily,  but  the  cause  is  one  worthy  of  being  taxed  for.  It 
deserves  an  adequate  expression  of  the  regard  in  which  Christian  men 
hold  it.  The  same  is  true  of  education  ;  it  is  important  enough  to 
receive  at  the  hands  of  any  community  the  acknowledgment  contained 
in  handsome  and  costly  structures.  A  house  like  this  is  an  emphatic 
public  declaration  that  good  learning  is  held  in  very  high  esteem  here, 
and  many  persons,  children  among  the  rest,  will  have  higher  ideas  of 
the  importance  of  education  from  the  fact  that  old  people  have  given 
this  proof  of  their  judgment  concerning  its  legitimate  requirements. 
Besides,  there  is  an  imperceptible,  perhaps,  but  none  the  less  powerful 
influence,  constantly  exerted  by  a  tasteful  public  edifice.  A  great 
many  valuable  lessons  are  continually  being  derived  from  it.  It  is  true 
it  may  be  a  source  of  self-flattery,  as  too  many  of  our  possessions  unfor- 
tunately are  ;  for  it  is  seldom  that  we  can  look  upon  any  excellent 


798  APPENDIX. 

object,  if  it  be  our  own,  without  spreading  a  little  more  widely  the  wings 
of  our  pride ;  but  if  used  as  it  ought  to  be,  it  is  a  source  of  much 
instruction  and  of  many  incentives.  An  evil  which  is  very  perceptible 
in  our  busy  lives  is  that  we  cannot  stop  for  details,  but  content  our- 
selves with  general  impressions,  and  I  think  are  more  apt  to  be  vain  in 
consequence.  Many  persons,  in  looking  at  a  fine  building,  will  be  con- 
tent with  a  single  glance,  and  be  unable  to  give  any  account  of  the 
architecture  of  it ;  or  if  they  glance  at  it  will  speak  in  general  and  per- 
haps contemptuous  terms  of  the  gingerbread  work  about  it,  being  quite 
unable  to  see  the  study  a'nd  taste  that  were  employed  in  producing 
the  general  effect  which  they  feel  and  acknowledge.  But  there  is  a 
change  in  prospect  in  this  respect ;  object  teaching  will  do  much  to 
remedy  this  bad  habit.  When  children  shall  be  taught,  not  less  from 
books,  but  more  by  external  observation,  and  learn  accurately  to  notice 
and  describe  everything  about  them,  they  will  derive  from  nature  and 
from  paintings  and  from  architecture  many  of  the  most  valuable  lessons, 
and  lessons  which  we,  who  have  been  taught  by  the  old  methods,  never 
learned.  For  that  day  this  edifice  will  be  an  excellent  teacher.  It  is 
the  desire  on  the  part  of  many  of  us  that  our  High  School  should  be 
developed  into  a  school  of  greater  influence  and  usefulness  than  it  has 
hitherto  been.  It  should,  we  think,  have  a  larger  number  of  scholars, 
a  wider  range  of  studies,  and  should  reach  a  position  of  so  much  evi- 
dent importance  that  parents  will  not  be  content  to  suffer  their  children 
to  go  into  the  shops  and  factories  till  they  have  enjoyed  its  full  advan- 
tages. Hitherto  it  has  labored  under  great  difficulty  in  the  narrowness 
of  the  quarters  assigned  to  it,  in  the  want  of  suitable  recitation  rooms, 
and  in  the  lack  of  various  facilities  for  the  prosecution  of  school  duties. 
That  much  excellent  teaching  and  much  hard  study  have  been  per- 
formed are  facts  which  many  before  us  can  affirm  by  direct  testimony ; 
and  all  honor  to  the  teachers  who  in  remote  and  recent  years  have 
used  to  the  full  extent  all  possible  facilities  that  the  old  building 
afforded.  They  have  their  reward  in  the  consciousness  of  having  done 
their  duty,  and  in  the  gratitude  of  their  pupils. 

But  we  have  come  to  a  new  era.  The  town  has  passed  beyond  its 
old  boundaries.  New  streets,  new  stores,  and  new  dwellings  say  very 
plainly  to  us  that  new  responsibilities  rest  upon  us,  and  a  new  career  is 
opening  before  us.  The  schools  already  feel  the  impulse.  Though 
three  new  ones  have  already  been  established  within  one  year,  yet  some 
of  the  old  ones  are  now  overcrowded,  and  admonish  us  that  still  more 
ample  accommodations  will  soon  be  required.  From  this  greatly  in- 
creased number  of  scholars  in  the  lower  schools,  we  shall  certainly 


APPENDIX. 


799 


gather  a  larger  number  for  the  High  School,  and  we  shall  doubt- 
less find  that  it  was  wise  to  have  anticipated  our  wants  in  providing 
beforehand  these*  greatly  enlarged  accommodations.  One  reason  for 
the  early  withdrawal  of  scholars  from  the  High  School  has,  perhaps,  been 
the  fact  that  the  teaching  force  of  the  school  has  not  been  sufficiently 
great  to  perform  the  labor  required  by  the  course  of  study  the  com- 
mittee thought  it  wise  to  lay  down. 

Two  teachers  have  had  neither  the  time  nor  strength  to  give  to  the 
pupils  that  thorough  drill  upon  the  studies  of  the  course  which  was 
necessary  to  fix  their  interest  in  the  school.  Hence  the  scholars  of 
less  studious  habits  were  willing  to  leave  school,  and  too  often,  perhaps, 
their  parents  were  willing  to  have  them,  and  .hence  the  school  has  suf- 
fered both  in  its  usefulness  and  reputation.  Therefore,  no  sooner  was 
there  a  near  prospect  of  transferring  the  High  School  to  this  building, 
than  the  committee  decided  to  add  another  teacher  to  the  force  already 
employed  upon  this  school.  In  other  words,  they  took  the  younger  and 
less  proficient  of  the  pupils,  who,  under  the  old  arrangement,  would 
have  entered  the  High  School,  and  made  a  separate  school,  and  placed 
them  under  an  experienced  teacher  for  a  year's  thorough  drill.  It  will 
be  no  small  advantage  to  the  scholars  of  the  school  to  have  three  com- 
petent and  faithful  teachers  where  they  had  but  two  before.  And 
with  this  additional  teaching  power,  coupled  with  the  attractiveness 
of  this  building,  the  committee  believe  this  school  can  and  will  enter 
upon  a  new  career  of  usefulness. 

The  natural  sciences  have  been  very  faithfully  and  successfully 
taught  in  the  school  during  the  past  year,  but  with  the  new  facilities 
afforded  by  this  building,  a  still  larger  degree  of  success  may  be  ob- 
tained. The  languages  and  mathematics  have  also  been  thoroughly 
studied,  but  with  the  opportunity  for  longer  recitations,  and  with  the 
more  direct  personal  care  of  the  teachers,  these  branches  can  and 
doubtless  will  be  more  fully  acquired. 

The  new  apparatus  which  the  school  has  in  part  purchased,  and 
for  which  the  town  has  made  an  additional  grant  of  money,  will  add  to 
the  facilities  of  the  teachers  for  imparting,  and  the  advantages  of  the 
scholars  for  acquiring  knowledge,  and  the  committee  are  confident  that 
the  school  may  become  far  more  proficient  and  useful  than  ever  it  has 
been,  and  that  an  increased  conviction  of  its  value  will  obtain  a  place 
in  the  minds  of  the  people  of  the  town.  And  that  a  school  in  order 
to  be  useful  must  have  the  hearty  sympathy  of  the  people,  is  a  fact  of 
prime  significance.  A  school  cannot  thrive  upon  money  alone ;  it 
must  have  something  else  ;  it  must  rest  upon  the  good  will,  and  to  some 


80O  APPENDIX. 

extent,  upon  the  warm  solicitude  of  the  community.  It  must  be  per- 
vaded with  the  feeling  that  not  a  few  pairs  of  eyes  are  upon  it,  but  hun- 
dreds of  them  ;  that  not  a  few  persons,  and  they  perhaps  officials,  are 
anxious  for  its  prosperity,  but  that  all  its  patrons  and  all  the  town  are 
so  likewise. 

Teachers  need  such  support ;  for  however  conscientious  in  the  dis- 
charge of  their  duties  they  are,  and  however  deeply  they  may  love  their 
calling,  yet  if  they  tax  their  invention  to  find  methods  to  interest  their 
pupils,  and  work,  in  school  and  out,  for  their  benefit,  and  then  gain'  no 
recognition  of  their  faithfulness  from  the  parents  of  the  children,  who 
perhaps  are  too  inattentive  to  their  efforts  even  to  know  that  they  have 
been  thus  at  work,  they  will  be  very  likely  to  lose  heart,  and  cease 
special  effort.  Indeed,  it  often  seems  to  me  that  parents  are  too  little 
acquainted  with  the  peculiar  difficulties  of  a  teacher's  profession,  and 
do  not  estimate  at  its  true  worth  the  labor  which  a  teacher  expends 
upon  their  children.  Greater  familiarity  with  the  working  of  all  the 
schools,  on  the  part  of  parents,  would  inevitably  greatly  increase  their 
efficiency.  It  would  make  the  judgments  of  parents  more  discriminat- 
ing and  more  just,  and  would  stimulate  both  teachers  and  pupils  in  the 
most  effective  and  healthful  manner.  Pupils  need  this  manifested  sym- 
pathy of  their  parents.  The  want  of  this  has  been  the  secret  influence 
that  has  paralyzed  the  efforts  of  many  a  teacher.  It  is  too  much  to 
ask  of  teachers  that  they,  unaided,  shall  put  the  fire  of  enthusiasm  in 
study  into  the  hearts  of  pupils.  They  can  do  it  often,  but  had  they 
the  co-operation  of  parents,  they  could  do  it  almost  always.  Let  schol- 
ars know  that  every  step  of  their  progress  is  noted  by  the  parents,  and 
that  there  is  an  actual  understanding  between  the  teachers  and  their 
parents,  and  frequent  consultation,  and  let  them  often  see  their  parents 
in  the  school-room  and  witness  their  open  pleasure  in  their  advance- 
ment,' and  this  advancement  would  be  far  more  satisfactory  than  it 
sometimes  is.  And  perhaps  there  is  no  school  in  town  upon  which 
such  attentions  would  have  more  direct  and  palpable  effect  than  upon 
the  two  that  are  to  occupy  this  building.  The  pupils  have  arrived  at  a 
sensitive  age  ;  they  are  having  more  and  more  self-respect ;  they  would 
be  pained  by  paining  their  friends,  and  they  would  be  pleased  in  pleas- 
ing them,  as  a  few  years  ago  they  would  not ;  and  the  effect  which 
parents  by  their  frequent  presence  in  the  school- room,  and  by  their  con- 
stant interest  in  the  progress  made  might  produce,  would  be  very 
marked  and  powerful. 

The  School  Committee,  then,  would  take  this  occasion,  so  auspicious 
for  these  schools  and  for  the  interests  of  education  among  us,  to  urge 


APPENDIX.  gol 

upon  the  acceptance  of  parents  the  privilege  and  the  duty  of  giving 
the  decided  help  of  their  sympathy  to  these  schools.  They  are  a  posses- 
sion of  which  any  town  might  be  proud  ;  and  it  is  for  us,  with  these 
additional  facilities,  to  make  them  foundations  of  increased  usefulness 
and  power. 

It  but  remains  for  me,  in  behalf  of  the  School  Committee,  to  pass 
the  custody  of  this  building  into  the  hands  of  the  efficient  Principal  of 
the  High  School.  We  are  glad  to  do  this,  for  we  are  confident  that 
you,  sir,  and  your  trusted  assistant,  will  spare  no  pains  to  preserve  its 
finish  and  beauty,  and  use  it  well  for  the  purposes  which  you  labor  to 
advance.  We  bid  you  use,  use  it  carefully,  of  course,  but  use  it,  every 
part  of  it ;  let  this  room  witness  to  the  hard  work  and  good  conduct  of 
this  school.  Let  these  other  rooms,  these  halls,  the  apparatus  you  will 
have,  also  bear  evidence  to  the  good  quality  of  your  work ;  and  you 
will  be  sustained  not  only  by  this  Board  and  the  people  of  the  town, 
but  by  the  higher  authority  and  the  more  satisfactory  approval  of  your 
own  conscience. 

Mr.  M.  J.  Hill,  the  Master  of  the  High  School,  on  receiving  the 
keys,  ably  and  happily  responded  as  follows  :  — 

These  keys,  sir,  mean  for  me  a  double  responsibility.  I  refer  not 
simply  to  the  duty  of  caring  for  this  beautiful  building,  the  finest  school 
edifice  of  wood  in  the  State,  if  not  in  New  England,  but  to  that  higher 
and  more  difficult  duty  of  guiding  those  who  shall  henceforth  study 
within  these  walls.  Upon  the  first  I  enter  with  some  measure  of  con- 
fidence. Surely  this  elaborate  and  graceful  structure  will  wellnigh 
protect  itself;  so  cheery,  spacious,  and  elegant,  it  cannot  fail  to  invite 
the  kindest  treatment  from  all  those  whose  good  fortune  it  shall  be  to 
use  it. 

I  believe,  too,  in  its  educating  power.  We  readily  enough  appreciate 
the  influence  of  a  truly  noble  man.  He  need  not  act ;  he  need  not 
even  speak.  His  very  presence  is  a  power  for  good.  His  nobility 
beams  forth  from  his  countenance,  it  cheers  with  its  warmth,  it  illu- 
mines with  its  splendor.  True,  the  warmth  is  not  always  present,  and 
the  glory  of  the  illumination  may  vanish  like  the  tints  of  evening.  But 
the  memory  of  such  a  man  will  live.  Should  all  our  memories  be  as 
exalted  as  that,  we  would  be  stones  did  we  not  lead  better,  purer, 
and  nobler  lives. 

There  is  a  companion  truth,  whose  force  some  realize  more  than 
others.     I  think  those  to  whom  we  owe  this  structure  fully  comprehend 
it.     It  is  this:    Things  may  be  powers  for  good  as  well  as  persons. 
101 


802  APPENDIX. 

Things  that  are  voiceless  and  soulless  may  educate.  A  beautiful  statue, 
or  painting,  or  model  of  architecture,  works  upon  the  mind,  awakes 
emotions  such  as  beauty  only  can  kindle,  makes  it  more  susceptible  to 
other  beauties,  and  hence,  with  great  power  or  little,  but  always  with 
some,  it  promotes  that  rich  culture  essential  to  a  well-rounded  educa- 
tion. But  more  precious  than  the  building  and  its  surroundings,  is  the 
school  itself,  whose  highest  success  will  depend  in  large  measure  upon 
the  manner  in  which  the  parents  and  the  scholars  shall  perform  their 
respective  duties.  I  am  impressed  more  and  more  with  the  magnitude 
and  importance  of  my  calling  the  longer  I  labor  in  it.  Say  what  you 
will  of  the  great  questions  of  the  day,  political,  social,  and  others,  I 
know  of  none  greater  than  the  problems  that  concern  the  human  mind. 
Surely  if  the  best  intellects  fail  to  solve  them,  I  may  be  pardoned  if,  in 
spite  of  attempted  solutions,  some  of  them  to  my  mind  continue  mys- 
teries as  before. 

It  will  be  my  aim,  however,  to  merit  the  confidence  you  have  reposed 
in  me.  In  this  aim  I  ask  your  sympathy,  your  charity,  and  your  cordial 
co-operation.  In  behalf  of  the  Wakefield  High  School,  I  thank  the 
town  for  its  munificence.  With  thanks  equally  hearty  for  this  token  of 
renewed  trust,  I  accept  these  keys  and  the  burden  of  duties  they  sym- 
bolize. And,  scholars,  as  these  keys  are  the  means  whereby  I  am  en- 
abled to  unlock  the  various  apartments  of  this  temple  of  learning,  so 
may  the  training  and  culture  you  can  acquire  in  your  early  years  (if  so 
disposed)  become,  as  it  were,  keys  to  Nature's  vast  store-houses  of  un- 
limited knowledge. 

The  principal  address  of  the  day,  by  Prof.  B.  F.  Tweed,  of  Charles- 
town,  was  then  delivered,  and  by  his  courtesy  we  are  permitted  to  give 
it  below. 

MR.  CHAIRMAN  :  I  confess  it  was  with  a  feeling  akin  to  pride  that  I 
received  an  invitation  from  the  School  Committee  of  my  native  town 
to  take  part  in  the  exercises  of  this  interesting  occasion.  And  it  is  not 
without  emotion  that  I  now  stand  in  this  presence,  surrounded  by  the 
scenes  and  associates  of  my  childhood  and  youth,  and  looking  into  the 
faces  of  so  many  of  my  life-long  friends.  My  thoughts  naturally  revert 
to  the  little  brown  school-house  in  which  I  took  my  first  lessons  in 
scholastic  lore,  and  the  faces  of  my  early  teachers  rise  before  me, 
idealized  as  seen  through  the  vista  of  lengthened  years,  and  hallowed 
by  the  affection  with  which  I  ever  regarded  them.  I  don't  know  that 
my  early  teachers  were  especially  handsome,  -using  that  term  as  young 
men  usually  employ  it  in  speaking  of  young  ladies  ;  from  the  fact  that 


APPENDIX.  »  803 

most  of  them  were  never  married,  I  might  presume  it  to  be  otherwise. 
But  (begging  pardon  of  the  ladies  oresent  for  any  seeming  want  of 
gallantry)  I  must  say  that  I  don't  j>ee  any  such  young  ladies  now- 
adays as  appear  to  my  mind's  eye  when  I  think  of  Miss  Symonds,  Miss 
Bancroft,  Miss  Newhall,  and  Miss  Evans ;  and  here  I  may  say,  inciden- 
tally, to  the  young  ladies  teaching  in  Wakefield,  that  they  have  it  in 
their  power  so  to  impress  themselves  on  the  plastic  minds  committed 
to  their  care,  that  in  after  years,  when  whatever  of  beauty  they  may 
now  possess  shaH  have  faded,  it  will  still  exist  as  "  pictures  in  memory, 
not  changed,  but  translated." 

Nor  can  I  deny  myself  the  privilege  of  referring  to  those  who  visited 
our  schools  at  the  stated  examinations,  and  watched  over  their  interests. 
Could  I  summon  them  in  fact,  as  in  fancy  they  appear  before  me,  with 
the  venerable  form  of  him  at  their  head  who  for  so  many  years  minis- 
tered at  the  altar  in  yonder  church,  and  whose  interest  in  our  schools 
never  flagged,  it  would  afford  me  unmixed  pleasure  to  express  to  them 
personally,  and  through  them  to  the  good  old  town,  which,  under  what- 
ever name,  has  always  been  liberal  in  support  of  schools,  my  heartfelt 
gratitude.  Nor  must  I  forget  the  public-spirited  men,  through  whose 
influence  and  liberality  the  South  Reading  Academy  was  established, 
which  furnished  opportunities  for  a  higher  course  than  our  public 
schools  then  provided.  For  the  ability  to  occupy  a  responsible,  and  I 
hope  useful  position  in  life,  I  feel  indebted  more  to  these  schools,  and 
to  the  self-denial  and  wise  foresight  of  parents  who  appreciated  their 
value,  than  to  any  effort  of  my  own  ;  and  I  am  glad  that  you  have 
given  me  an  opportunity  thus  publicly  to  acknowledge  my  obligation. 
But,  sir,  not  to  dwell  on  what  is,  in  some  sense,  personal  to.  myself, 
though  equally  applicable  to  hundreds  of  others,  I  will  pass  to  what  I 
hope  will  be  regarded  as  an  appropriate  theme  for  this  occasion.  It  is 
this :  The  influence  of  our  school  system  on  New  England  character 
and  on  great  public  interests. 

It  has  been  said,  and  with  some  show  of  truth,  that  the  only  natural 
production  of  New  England  is  ice,  but  that  its  manufactures  include 
every  conceivable  thing,  from  wooden  nutmegs  to  brains.  Anything 
combining  utility  with  cheapness,  from  an  apple-parer  to  a  sewing-ma- 
chine, is  known,  the  world  over,  as  a  Yankee  notion,  and  I  wonder  that 
no  biblical  commentator  has  found  a  special  reference  to  the  universal 
Yankee  in  the  text,  "  Man  has  sought  out  many  inventions." 

It  is  true  that,  by  dint  of  industry,  the  scanty  and  sterile  soil  does 
yield  some  other  products  than  ice,  yet  it  is  only  by  the  most  persistent 
tickling  with  a  hoe  that  it  is  made  to  smile  with  a  harvest.  Or  perhaps 


804 


APPENDIX. 


I  should  rather  say,  using  Yankee  phraseology,  it  is  only  by  swapping 
a  full  equivalent  of  labor  and  dressing  that  the  farmer  secures  a  scanty 
return.  The  resources  of  New  England,  therefore,  and  those  to  which 
she  is  indebted  for  her  prosperity,  are  not  in  the  soil,  but  in  the  strong 
arms  and  fertile  brains  of  her  people.  Nay,  even  in  the  case  of  the 
one  natural  production,  it  was  in  the  alembic  of  the  Yankee  cranium 
that  ice  was  first  converted  to  gold.  What  had  remained  insoluble  for 
the  purposes  of  pecuniary  liquidation,  from  the  beginning,  yielded  only 
to  the  alchemy  of  the  Yankee  brain.  Notwithstanding»the  transparency 
of  ice,  it  was  only  the  keen  sight  of  our  Tudors,  Gages,  and  Hittingers 
that  could  see  money  in  it. 

That  climate,  soil,  and  other  physical  conditions  should  (have  pro- 
duced marked  peculiarities  of  character  might  have  been  anticipated, 
though  what  they  would  be  could  hardly  be  foreseen.  A  weaker 
race  than  our  fathers  might  have  been  discouraged,  and  yielding 
to  what  seemed  a  necessity,  might  have  dragged  out  a  miserable 
life  of  poverty.  In  them,  however,  it  stimulated  to  industry  and 
perseverance,  and  developed  a  fertility  of  resource  in  an  inverse  ratio 
to  that  of  the,  soil. 

.  Somebody  has  said  that  in  certain  parts  of  our  country  a  whiskey- 
shop  and  lager-beer  saloon  only  are  necessary  as  the  nucleus  of  a 
village.  With  our  fathers  it  was  a  church  and  a  school-house.  Around 
these  two  institutions  clustered  the  settlers,  and  the  germ  there  planted 
has  developed  into  our  present  liberal  system  of  public  education.  From 
these  spring  material  wealth,  our  social  and  political  institutions,  and  the 
patriotism,  public  spirit,  and  intelligence  requisite  to  preserve  them,  and 
to  advance  the  interests  of  a  progressive  civilization. 

Humboldt  has  said  that  "science  and  manipulative  skill  must  be 
wedded  together,  that  national  wealth  must  be  based  on  an  enlightened 
employment  of  national  products  and  forces."  Our  fathers  may  not 
have  had  this  in  view  as  the  prime  object  in  founding  our  school  system, 
but  the  results  of  New  England  thrift  have  abundantly  proved  that 
educated  labor  pays,  regarded  even  from  a  pecuniary  point  of  view  ; 
that  by  utilitizing  all  our  material,  —  the  brains  of  the  masses,  —  we 
increase  indefinitely  national  wealth.  And  here  we  have  a  fine  illustra- 
tion of  the  fact  that  the  highest  and  truest  interests  of  society  are  best 
promoted  by  providing  for  the  welfare  of  its  individual  members  ;  that 
justice  to  all,  even  the  weakest,  is,  like  honesty,  the  best  policy,  not  only 
of  the  individual,  but  of  the  state. 

From  time  immemorial,  and  everywhere,  the  greatest  waste  had  been 
that  of  humanity.  The  great  mass  of  mankind  had  been  little  better 


APPENDIX. 


805 


than  mechanical  implements  or  tools  directed  by  the  intelligence  and 
for  the  benefit  of  the  few,  —  mere  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water, 
—  all  the  elements  of  a  distinctive  humanity,  that  which  constitutes  the 
image  of  God,  undeveloped,  lost  to  themselves  and  the  world.  The 
Reformation,  making  every  man  directly  responsible  to  God,  and  carry- 
ing with  it,  as  its  correlative,  the  right  of  private  judgment,  tended  to  a 
system  of  education  qualifying  every  man  to  exercise  this  right. 

But  the  world  is  slow  to  admit  the  logical  consequences  of  a  propo- 
sition which  disturbs  time-honored  institutions  ;  and  there  were  not 
wanting  those  who  supposed  that  such  a  consummation  would  work  a 
social  revolution,  threatening  the  very  stability  of  the  state.  It  was 
only  after  the  lapse  of  many  years,  and  in  a  new  country,  that  the 
experiment  was  inaugurated  and  developed.  It  is,  then,  a  problem  first 
solved  in  New  England  and  by  our  school  system,  that  the  education  of 
the  whole  people  is  the  most  important  element  in  the  material  pros- 
perity of  a  nation.  It  has  become  an  axiom  in  political  economy. 
There  is  no  one  question  now  exciting  so  much  interest  among  educa- 
tionists, both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe,  as  the  inquiry  how  to  bring 
our  school  systems  into  more  direct  relations  with  the  industry  of  the 
people  ;  and  though  we  may  justly  claim  to  have  taken  the  lead  in  a 
general  educational  system,  we  are  torced  to  admit  that  some  of  the 
nations  of  Europe  have  outstripped  us  in  the  practical  character  of  the 
instruction  imparted. 

At  the  World's  Fair  in  1851,  the  palm  of  excellence  in  manufac- 
tures was,  in  nearly  every  department,  awarded  to  England.  Sixteen 
years  later,  when  the  nations  again  displayed  the  results  of  their  skill 
and  labor,  England  excelled  only  in  ten  of  a  hundred  departments. 
This  excited  so  much  alarm  among  the  manufacturing  interests  of  Eng- 
land that  Parliament  appointed  a  committee  of  investigation,  and  the 
report  of  the  committee  is  equally  instructive  to  us  as  to  England.  It 
is  this,  "  That  the  success  of  the  Continent  was  owing  to  its  admirable 
technical  schools  ;  that  no  nation  can  excel  in  manufactures  unless  it 
provides  facilities  for  scientific  education  for  all  that  converts  the  mere 
workman  into  the  artisan."  It  was  this  report,  and  the  fact  that  so 
many  of  the  foremen  in  our  manufacturing  establishments  were  foreign- 
ers, that  led  immediately  to  legislation  in  behalf  of  industrial  drawing, 
under  which  technical  schools  are  springing  up  in  all  our  cities  and 
large  towns. 

It  was  seen  that  we  were  in  danger  of  being  crushed  by  the  very 
wheel  which  we  set  in  motion  ;  that  not  only  general  intelligence,  but 
technical  knowledge  and  skill,  add  immensely  to  the  material  wealth  of 


806  APPENDIX. 

a  nation.  Such  is  the  uniform  testimony  where  "brains  sit  at  the  loom, 
and  intelligence  stands  at  the  spinning-wheel."  But  mechanical  drawing 
is  only  the  beginning  of  a  course  of  industrial  training  which  is  to 
extend  to  every  department  of  skilled  labor.  The  establishment  of 
technical  schools,  whose  advantages  shall  be  accessible  to  every  appren- 
tice in  any  branch  of  human  industry,  is  strongly  recommended  by  our 
Governor  in  his  message.  Such  schools,  where  they  are  in  operation, 
as  in  France,  Belgium,  and  Switzerland,  have  already,  says  Professor 
Waterman,  one  of  our  ablest  statisticians,  created  a  productive  capital 
of  many  millions.  What,  then,  may  we  expect  of  them  in  this  country, 
where  so  many  great  interests  are  only  waiting  for  development  ?  But  not 
to  dwell  too  long  on  this  part  of  my  subject,  I  have  said  that  our  social 
and  political  institutions,  and  the  public  spirit  and  intelligence  requisite 
to  preserve  them,  rest  securely  only  on  a  general  system  of  education. 

A  distinguished  English  writer  on  history,  in  the  early  part  of  this 
century,  attributed  the  lack  of  patriotism  and  of  elevated  sentiment, 
which  he  affirmed  to  exist  among  the  people  of  his  own  country  in  the 
eighteenth  century,  to  the  fact  that  they  had  been  engaged  chiefly  in  the 
value  of  estates,  the  balance  of  trade,  and  profit  and  loss.  And  he 
goes  on  to  say  that  the  only  way  in  which  this  elevated  sentiment  of 
patriotism  can  be  preserved  among  men  whose  minds  are  occupied  with 
their  bargains  and  their  markets,  the  article  they  are  to  produce  and 
the  price  they  are  to  receive,  is  by  the  education  of  all ;  by  accustoming 
every  man  to  interest  himself  in  the  concerns  of  his  country,  and  thus 
giving  him  an  idea  of  his  social  and  political  importance. 

This  was  but  theory  with  the  philosophical  Englishman.  Has  not 
the  experience  of  the  last  few  years  in  this  country  proved  the  practica- 
bility of  preserving  noble  sentiments  of  patriotism,  where  peaceful 
industry  and  the  pursuits  of  trade  are  the  engrossing  subjects  of  all 
classes  ;  and  was  it  not  accomplished  by  the  very  means  suggested  by 
the  writer  mentioned  ?  The  quiet  determination  and  patriotism  sleep- 
ing in  the  breasts  of  the  loyal  millions,  educated  in  our  Northern 
schools  and  colleges,  were  roused  by  the  first  roar  of  the  artillery  of 
rebellion.  Never  was  there  a  more  striking  proof  in  the  history  of  the 
world  that  peaceful  industry,  accompanied  by  intellectual,  moral,  and 
religious  culture,  do  not  render  men  parsimonious  and  effeminate,  but 
rather  fit  them  to  become  the  truest  and  most  liberal  supporters,  and 
the  best  soldiers  of  freedom  and  right.  For  proof  of  this  we  have  only 
to  consult  the  army  roll  and  the  records  of  the  Sanitary  Commission. 

Just  as  surely  as  the  early  discipline  and  habits  of  study  acquired  in 
our  schools  give  the  best  assurance  of  success  to  a  young  man,  so 


APPENDIX. 


807 


surely  are  they  the  presages  of  national  welfare.  There  is  something 
in  our  very  nature,  after  we  have  once  started  on  the  road  of  progress, 
that  beckons  and  impels  us  on.  The  cry  of  Oliver  Twist  for  "  more," 
which  so  horrified  the  astonished  Mr.  Bumble,  is  the  cry  of  humanity ; 
and  the  only  alternative  is  more  education,  more  opportunities  for  use- 
fulness, or  more  anarchy,  more  blood.  The  atmosphere  of  the  work- 
shop, as  suggested  by  the  author  just  quoted,  is  too  arid  for  constant 
breathing.  Daily  infusions  from  cultivated  social  life,  from  books  and 
lectures,  are  necessary  to  health.  Who  shall  say  how  much  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  Cambridge  has  done  to  extend,  elevate,  and  purify 
public  sentiment  in  Boston  ?  Neither  the  annual  nor  triennial  catalogue 
contains  the  names  of  all  the  students  educated  by,  if  not  in,  our  col- 
leges. And  so  also  with  our  public  schools :  when  the  father  returns  to 
his  family  at  evening,  surrounded  by  his  children  conning  their  daily 
lessons,  he  finds  himself  in  a  different  world ;  and  he  is  a  wise  man  if 
he  can  answer  all  the  questions  that  are  puzzling  the  brains  of  all  the 
members  of  his  household.  The  common  school,  therefore,  is  not  only 
the  educator  of  the  children  between  five  and  fifteen,  but  of  the  whole 
community.  It  is  the  nature  of  all  good  institutions,  as  well  as  good 
men,  that  "  virtue  goes  out  of  them." 

The  indirect  influence  of  our  colleges  is  yearly  recognized  by  honor- 
ary degrees  conferred  on  those  who  have  attained  excellence  in  some 
department  of  learning,  outside  the  walls,  but  not  without  the  aid  of 
those  institutions.  It  is  no  less  a  claim  of  influence,  on  the  part  of  our 
higher  institutions,  than  a  compliment  to  the  recipients  of  the  degrees. 
To  many  a  man,  who  never  paid  a  tuition  fee,  or  attended  prayers  in 
the  college  chapel,  is  old  Harvard  the  alma  mater,  in  a  stricter  sense 
than  to  hundreds  whose  sonship  is  chiefly  evinced  by  a  scrap  of  parch- 
ment. I  know  it  is  common  to  speak  of  men  who  have  become  distin- 
guished, though  they  have  not  had  the  benefit  of  a  college  course,  as 
self-made  men  ;  and  this,  in  a  limited  sense,  is  just ;  but,  I  believe,  as  a 
class,  they  will  be  found  to  have  as  lively  a  sense  of  obligation  to  the 
great  institutions  that  have  furnished  the  best  books  in  science  and 
literature,  as  those  more  favored  ones  who  have  received  instruction 
from  the  lips  of  tutors  and  professors.  If  other  proof  were  wanting 
that  our  schools  and  colleges  do  in  fact  educate  the  community  at 
large  to  higher  views  and  a  juster  estimate  of  life,  it  might  be  found  in 
the  fact,  that  the  same  brains  that  convert  ice  into  gold  are  not  satisfied 
till  the  gold  itself,  purged  of  its  baser  dross,  is  transmuted  into  wisdom, 
virtue,  and  religion.  There  is  scarce  a  college,  an  academy,  an  asylum 
for  the  blind,  the  insane,  or  the  dumb,  a  hospital  of  any  kind,  or  any 


8o8  APPENDIX. 

beneficent  institution,  that  is  not  a  monument  of  the  generosity  of 
those  who,  by  the  discipline  and  knowledge  obtained  in  our  schools, 
have  amassed  wealth,  without  forgetting  that  the  worth  of  the  dollar 
consists  in  its  exchangeable  value  for  that  which  is  more  precious  than 
rubies.  Hence  those  immense  sums  invested  in  institutions  whose 
dividends  stand  accredited  to  the  world,  and  whose  accounts  are  audited 
and  approved  in  Heaven.  What,  then,  is  the  distinguishing  character 
of  our  boasted  system  of  public  institutions  ?  Not  the^uperior  scholar- 
ship of  the  favored  few,  however  desirable  that  might  be ;  but  that  it 
has  raised  the  general  character  of  learning  and  intelligence  to  a  higher 
plane  than  has  been  done  elsewhere.  Though  we  can  boast,  perhaps, 
of  no  peaks  of  the  greatest  altitude,  yet  our  table-lands  are  more  ex- 
tensive, fertile,  and  productive  than  those  of  any  other  country. 

Guizot,  in  his  History  of  Civilization  in  Modern  Europe,  says,  "  that 
when  we  consider  separately,  any  particular  development  of  the' human 
mind,  in  literature,  in  the  arts,  in  any  of  the  ways  in  which  human  in- 
telligence may  go  forward,  we  shall  generally  find  it  inferior  to  the  cor- 
responding development  in  the  civilization  of  antiquity  ;  but  as  a  set- 
off  to  this,  when  we  regard  it  as  a  whole,  European  civilization  appears 
infinitely  more  rich  and  diversified."  May  we  not  hope  that  the  future 
historian  of  American  civilization  may  be  able  to  say  that,  though 
Europe  may,  perhaps,  boast  of  individual  instances  in  which  literature, 
the  arts,  or  sciences  have  been  carried  to  a  higher  pitch  of  excellence 
than  in  our  comparatively  young  Republic,  that  we  have  given  to  the 
world  a  civilization,  which,  regarded  as  a  whole,  is  infinitely  richer, 
deeper,  and  broader  than  that  of  the  Old  World.  If  not,  it  will  be 
because  we  as  individuals  have  not  used  the  opportunities  so  richly  fur- 
nished us  by  the  far-sighted  wisdom  of  our  ancestors,  and  watched 
over  and  strengthened  by  the  wise  and  good  of  later  generations. 

And  now,  sir,  shall  I  trespass  on  your  patience  with  a  word  more 
especially  adapted  to  this  occasion  ?  This  beautiful  and  spacious  build- 
ing, which  you  have  set  apart  and  dedicated  to  the  purposes  of  educa- 
tion, is  itself  a  witness  of  the  essential  truth  of  the  views  I  have 
advanced.  The  contrast  between  this  and  the  one-storied,  unpainted 
building  of  my  childhood,  is  a  fitting  exponent  of  the  astonishing  in- 
crease of  material  wealth  in  New  England,  and,  may  I  not  say,  a  proof 
that  an  appreciation  of  the  value  of  common-school  education  has  fully 
kept  apace  with  it.  I  would  not  be  misunderstood,  in  any  degree,  to 
detract  from  the  inestimable  value  of  our  religious  institutions.  But  I 
cannot  help  noticing  that  the  little  school-house,  which  formerly  nestled 
humbly,  as  if  for  protection,  under  the  shadow  of  the  more  pretentious 


APPENDIX. 


809 


church,  with  its  heaven-pointing  spire,  now  stands  boldly  by  its  side, — 
not  indeed  as  its  rival,  but  as  its  trusted  ally.  And  as  that  is  dedi- 
cated to  the  worship  of  God,  which  is  the  first  and  great  commandment, 
so,  also,  by  these  exercises  we  now  dedicate  this  to  the  service  of 
humanity,  which  the  Master  has  said  is  like  unto  it.  Nor  is  there  any 
respect  of  persons.  It  beckons  to  its  embrace  all  your  sons  and  daugh- 
ters, and  points  your  sons  at  least  —  I  hope  it  soon  will  your  daughters 
—  to  Harvard  and  Tufts,  or  to  lucrative  and  honorable  positions  in  in- 
dustrial pursuits.  In  this  institution,  at  least,  the  poorest  have  as  much 
stock  as  the  richest,  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  the  largest  dividends 
will  be  found  accredited  to  their  children.  It  is  the  common  school 
which  constitutes  the  Commonwealth ;  nor  does  its  influence  stop  here. 
The  physical  geography  of  our  country  is  well  defined.  Its  mountain 
ranges  rim  a  basin  capable  of  feeding  the  world.  Its  great  water- 
courses, with  their  thousand  tributaries,  are  ample  to  waft  its  wealth  of 
productions  to  our  ports.  I  Apolitical  geography,  thanks  to  the  boys  in 
blue,  educated  in  our  Northern  schools,  and  led  on  by  our  great  cap- 
tains, has  been  preserved  intact ;  and  now  the  little  brooklets  of  learn- 
ing, springing  from  every  hillside  in  New  England,  have  converged  and 
united,  till  they  have  become  a  mighty  river,  which,  augmented  by  its 
magnificent  tributaries  of  the  North  and  West,  has  swept  across  the 
continent,  bearing  upon  its  ample  bosom  the  rich  treasures  of  civiliza- 
tion and  learning  to  the  far  Pacific. 

Music  by  the  orchestra,  followed  by  a  remarkably  amusing  and  enjoy- 
able, but  altogether  unreportahle  address,  abounding  in  reminiscences 
of  school-days,  and  replete  with  fun,  from  Gen.  H.  K.  Oliver,  he  in 
turn  being  followed  by  Rev.  Dr.  Chickering  in  a  brief  but  entertaining 
address,  congratulating  and  encouraging  in  tone. 

The  thanks  of  the  town  were  at  this  juncture  returned  to  Henry  D. 
Smith,  Esq.,  by  John  S.  Eaton,  Esq.,  for  the  very  elegant  copy  of  Wor- 
cester's Dictionary  presented  by  him  to  the  High  School  before  the 
commencement  of  the  exercises.  Mr.  Smith  briefly,  happily,  and 
humoroasly  responded,  and  with  a  bit  of  pleasant  repartee  from  Prof. 
Tweed  the  addresses  closed. 


8 10  APPENDIX. 


R. 

COPY     OF    AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN  A  COMMITTEE  OF  THE  TOWN  OF  WAKEFIELD  AND  MILL  OWNERS  ON 
SAUGUS  RIVER,  AS  TO  THE  WATER-LEVEL  OF  LAKE  QUANNAPOWITT. 

Whereas,  a  Committee  chosen  by  the  town  of  Wakefield,  together 
with  the  mill  owners  upon  the  stream  that  runs  out  of  Lake  Quanna- 
powitt,  met  at  the  outlet  of  the  Lake,  August  7,  1871,  and,  after  exami- 
nation, have  failed  to  find  any  sign  of  a  log  that  was  placed  in  the  out- 
let by  direction  of  the  town  authorities,  some  twenty-seven  years 
ago,  to  define  low  water-mark,  and  as  there  is  no  record  of  any  bearings 
being  taken  at  that  time  with  permanent  objects,  its  location  cannot  be 
ascertained. 

Recognizing  the  importance  of  having  a  fixed  water-mark,  to  regulate 
the  flow  of  water,  to  retain  it  at  a  proper  depth  in  the  Lake,  and  to 
direct  its  flow  to  the  best  advantage  of  the  mills  on  the  stream,  the  fol- 
lowing mutual  arrangement  in  regard  to  the  water-mark  has  been  de- 
cided upon,  with  the  assent  of  all  the  parties  concerned. 

First y  That  the  stream  shall  continue  to  flow,  during  the  present  sea- 
son, without  further  obstruction,  until  the  water  is  on  the  increase. 

Second,  That  the  basis  for  the  level  of  the  water-mark  shall  be  a 
foundation  timber  on  the  north  side  of  the  stream,  forty-nine  feet  from 
the  west  edge  of  the  road  bridge. 

Ihird,  That  the  low  water-mark  shall  be  at  twelve  inches  above  the 
level  of  said  timber,  from  the  first  day  of  April  to  the  first  day  of  Au- 
gust ;  and  from  the  first  day  of  August  to  the  first  day  of  April,  the 
mill  owners  shall  have  the  right  to  draw  the  water  six  inches  lower  than 
the  said  low  water-mark. 

Signed, 

JAMES   F.   EMERSON, 
JOHN   G.   ABORN, 
SAM'L   PARKER,  JR., 
LUCIUS   BEEBE, 
LILLEY  EATON,       ' 
C.   W.   EATON, 

Town  Committee. 

I 

FRANKER  &  CO., 
ANDREW   A.   SCOTT, 
AMOS   BINNEY, 
(By  S.  G.  LANE), 
HOYT  &   WILEY, 

Mill  Owners. 


APPENDIX.  8 1 1 


s. 

[CHAP.  335.] 

AN  ACT 

To  SUPPLY  THE  TOWNS  OF  WAKEFIKLD  AND  STONEHAM  WITH  WATER. 
Be  it  enacted ,  etc.,  as  follows  : 

SECTION  i.  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Lucius  Beebe,  James  F.  Emerson, 
John  Hill,  H.  H.  Mawhinney,  Onslow  Gilmore,  Francis  H.  Knight, 
their  associates  and  successors,  are  hereby  made  a  corporation  under 
the  name  of  the  Quannapowitt  Water  Company,  for  furnishing  the  in- 
habitants of  Wakefield  and  Stoneham  with  water ;  with  all  the  powers 
and  privileges,  and  subject  to  all  the  duties,  restrictions,  and  liabilities 
set  forth  in  all  general  laws  which  now  are,  or  hereafter  may  be  in 
force,  so  far  as  the  same  are  applicable  to  this  corporation. 

SECT.  2.  Said  corporation,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  may  take, 
hold,  and  convey,  into  and  through  said  towns,  the  waters  of  Lake 
Quannapowitt  or  Crystal  Lake,  or  both,  in  the  town  of  Wakefield, 
together  with  the  tributary  waters  which  flow  to  either  in  said  towns  ; 
and  may  take  and  hold,  by  purchase  or  otherwise,  such  land,  on  and 
around  the  margin  of  such  lake  or  lakes,  or  tributaries,  not  exceeding 
five  rods  in  width,  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  preservation  and  purity 
of  said  waters ;  and  may  also  take  and  hold  in  like  manner  such 
lands  as  may  be  necessary  for  erecting  and  maintaining  dams  and 
reservoirs,  and  for  laying  and  maintaining  conduits,  pipes,  drains,  and 
other  works,  for  collecting,  conducting,  and  distributing  such  waters 
through  said  towns  of  Wakefield  and  Stoneham.  The  said  corpora- 
tion shall,  within  sixty  days  from  the  time  of  taking  any  land  as  afore- 
said, file  in  the  Registry  of  Deeds  for  the  County  of  Middlesex,  a 
description  of  the  land  so  taken,  sufficiently  accurate  for  identification, 
and  state  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  taken. 

SECT.  3.  Said  corporation  may  build  aqueducts,  and  maintain  the 
same  by  any  works  suitable  therefor ;  may  erect  and  maintain  dams ; 
may  make  reservoirs  and  hydrants,  and  may  distribute  the  water 
throughout  said  towns  of  Wakefield  and  Stoneham,  by  laying  down 
pipes,  and  may  establish  the  rent  therefor. 

Said  corporation  may  also,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  carry  its  pipes 
and  drains  over  or  under  any  water-course,  street,  railroad,  highway  or 
other  way,  in  such  manner  as  not  to  obstruct  the  same  ;  and  may  enter 
upon  and  dig  up  any  road,  under  the  direction  of  the  selectmen  of  the 


812  APPENDIX. 

said  towns  respectively,  in  such  manner  as  to  cause  the  least  hin- 
derance  to  the  travel  thereon. 

SECT.  4.  Said  corporation  shall  be  liable  to  pay  all  damages  that 
shall  be  sustained  by  any  persons  in  their  property  by  the  taking  of 
any  land,  water,  or  water  rights,  or  by  the  constructing  of  any  aque- 
ducts, reservoirs,  or  other  works  for  the  purposes  aforesaid.  If  any 
person  who  shall  sustain  damage  as  aforesaid  cannot  agree  with  said 
corporation  upon  the  amount  of  said  damages,  he  may  have  them 
assessed  in  the  same  manner  as  is  provided  by  law,  with  respect  to 
land  taken  for  highways ;  and  all  damages  for  the  taking  of  lands  for 
the  purposes  aforesaid  shall  be  paid  for  by  said  corporation  before 
entering  upon  said  lands. 

SECT.  5.  No  application  shall  be  made  to  the  County  Commission- 
ers for  the  assessment  of  damages  for  the  taking  of  any  water  rights 
until  the  water  is  actually  withdrawn  or  diverted  by  said  corporation. 
Any  person  whose  water  rights  are  thus  taken  or  affected,  may  apply 
as  aforesaid,  at  any  time  within  three  years  from  the  time  when  the 
water  is  actually  withdrawn  or  diverted. 

SECT.  6.  Said  corporation  may  hold,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid, 
real  estate  to  the  amount  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  its 
whole  capital  stock  shall  not  exceed  three  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
dollars,  which  shall  be  divided  into  shares  of  one  hundred  dollars 
each.  And  no  liability  shall  be  incurred  by  said  corporation  until  at 
least  thirty  thousand  dollars  of  its  capital  shall  have  been  paid  in 
in  cash. 

SECT.  7.  Any  person  who  shall  maliciously  divert  the  water,  or  any 
part  thereof,  of  the  sources  which  shall  be  taken  by  the  corporation, 
pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  or  who  shall  maliciously  corrupt 
the  same  or  render  it  impure,  or  who  shall  maliciously  destroy  or  injure 
any  dam  or  reservoir,  aqueduct,  pipe,  or  hydrant,  or  other  property 
held,  owned,  or  used  by  said  corporation  for  the  purposes  of  this  Act, 
shall  pay  three  times  the  amount  of  actual  damages  to  the  said  corpo- 
ration, to  be  recovered  in  an  action  of  tort ;  and  every  such  person, 
on  conviction  of  either  of  the  malicious  acts  aforesaid,  shall  be  pun- 
ished by  fine  not  exceeding  one  hundred  dollars  and  imprisonment  not 
exceeding  six  months. 

SECT.  8.  The  towns  of  Wakefield  and  Stoneham,  or  either  of  them, 
in  case  the  other  declines  to  participate  in  said  purchase,  may  at  any 
time  within  three  years  from  the  time -this  Act  takes  effect,  take  or 
purchase  the  franchise  of  said  corporation  and  all  its  corporate  prop- 
erty, by  paying  therefor  the  amount  expended  for  the  construction, 


APPENDIX. 


813 


maintenance,  and  repairs  of  said  water  works,  and  all  necessary  inci- 
dental expenses,  together  with  interest  thereon  at  the  rate  of  ten  per 
centum  per  annum,  less  the  amount  derived  therefrom,  with  interest 
thereon  at  the  rate  aforesaid,  and  may  assume  all  its  rights  and  privi- 
leges from  the  corporators  aforenamed.  And  in  case  said  towns  can- 
not agree  as  to  the  portion  of  said  amount  to  be  paid  by  each,  the 
Supreme  Judicial  Court  or  any  justice  thereof,  upon  application  of 
either  town  so  purchasing,  shall  appoint  three  commissioners  to  award 
the  amount  to  be  paid  by  each,  which  award  shall  be  final. 

SECT.  9.  For  the  purpose  of  defraying  the  cost  of  such  franchise, 
corporate  property,  lands,  water,  and  water  rights  as  are  taken,  pur- 
chased, or  held  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  and  for  constructing  works 
necessary  and  proper  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  purposes  author- 
ized by  this  Act,  and  paying  all  expenses  incident  thereto,  each  of 
said  towns  may  issue,  from  time  to  time,  scrip,  notes,  or  certificates 
of  debt :  the  town  of  Wakefield  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  two  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars ;  the  town  of  Stoneham  to  an  amount  not 
exceeding  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  Such  scrip  issued 
by  the  town  of  Wakefield  shall  be  denominated  on  its  face  Wake-field 
Water  Fund  Bonds ;  that  issued  by  the  town  of  Stoneham  shall  be 
denominated  on  its  face  Stoneham  Water  Fund  Bonds.  All  such 
scrip  shall  bear  interest  at  a  rate  not  exceeding  seven  per  centum  per 
annum,  payable  semi-annually,  and  the  principal  shall  be  payable  at 
periods  of  not  more  than  twenty  years  from  the  issuing  of  said  scrip, 
notes,  or  certificates  respectively.  And  such  town  may  sell  the  same, 
or  any  part  thereof,  from  time  to  time,  or  pledge  the  same  for  money 
borrowed  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  on  such  terms  and  conditions  as 
such  towns  shall  deem  proper.  And  each  of  said  towns  is  further 
authorized  to  make  appropriations,  and  assess  from  time  to  time,  such 
amounts,  not  exceeding  in  any  one  year  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars, towards  paying  the  principal  of  the  money  so  borrowed,  except 
in  the  year  when  the  same  may  become  due,  and  also  a  sum  sufficient 
to  pay  the  interest  thereon  in  the  same  manner  as  money  is  assessed 
and  appropriated  for  other  town  purposes. 

SECT.  10.  When  said  towns,  or  either  of  them,  shall  assume  or  pur- 
chase the  franchise,  property,  rights,  and  privileges  of  the  corporation 
established  by  this  Act,  said  town  or  towns  shall  hold  and  may  exercise 
all  the  powers  and  authority  conferred  upon  said  corporation  by  this  Act, 
and  shall  be  subject  to  all  the  restrictions,  duties,  and  liabilities  heroin 
imposed  on  said  corporation,  and  may  act  by  such  commissioners,  three 
in  number,  from  each  town,  as  the  selectmen  of  each  town  shall 


8 14  APPENDIX. 

from  time  to  time  appoint ;  and  said  town  or  towns  shall  be  liable 
to  pay  all  damages  to  which  said  corporation  shall  have  become  liable 
and  shall  not  have  paid. 

In  case  both  towns  shall  have  united  in  assuming  or  purchasing  the 
franchise  and  property  of  said  corporation,  1;he  commissioners  appointed 
by  the  selectmen  as  aforesaid  shall  constitute  a  joint  Board  of  Water 
Commissioners,  who  shall  have  power  to  regulate  and  control  the  use 
of  the  water  of  said  lake,  and  exercise  all  the  powers  and  authority 
conferred  by  this  Act ;  and  said  towns,  in  case  they  shall  have  united 
as  aforesaid,  shall  be  jointly  liable  to  persons  having  claims  under  this 
Act ;  but  the  apportionment  between  the  towns  of  any  expenses  incurred 
under  this  Act,  and  the  determination  of  any  other  question  which 
shall  arise  between  said  towns  under  this  Act,  shall  be  made  by  said 
joint  Board ;  and  in  case  said  commissioners  shall  be  equally  divided 
upon  any  question,  it  shall  be  determined  in  the  manner  heretofore 
provided  in  the  eighth  section  of  this  Act  for  apportioning  the  amount 
to  be  paid  for  the  franchise  and  property  of  said  corporation. 

In  case  one  of  said  towns  shall  alone  assume  or  purchase  said  fran- 
chise and  property  under  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  its  commissioners 
shall  have  the  powers  conferred  by  this  section  upon  said  joint  Board. 
SECT.  ii.  The  rents  received  for  the  use  of  water  within  the  limits 
of  each  town  shall,  when  collected,  be  paid  over  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
town,  and  after  the  payment  therefrom  of  the  semi-annual  interest 
upon  said  scrip,  and  after  deducting  all  charges  of  distribution  and 
repairs  and  other  expenses  incident  to  the  same,  shall  be  set  apart, 
with  all  amounts  appropriated  from  time  to  time  by  said  town,  for 
the  payment  of  the  principal  sum  of  said  scrip,  as  a  sinking  fund, 
which,  with  the  accumulated  interest  upon  the  same,  shall  be  devoted 
to  the  payment  of  said  scrip  of  said  town  at  maturity.  Said  sinking 
fund  may  be  invested  in  the  scrip  authorized  by  this  Act,  at  a  price  not 
exceeding  its  par  value,  or  on  such  loans  or  in  such  securities  as  by 
law  the  funds  of  savings  banks  may  be  invested  in,  except  that  no  por- 
tion of  the  same  shall  be  loaned,  directly  or  indirectly,  to  either  of  said 
towns,  or  upon  mere  personal  security. 

SECT.  12.  The  accounts  of  such  sinking  funds  shall  be  kept  apart 
from  the  other  accounts  of  the  town,  and  in  each  town  shall  at  all 
times  be  open  to  the  inspection  of  the  water  commissioners  of  said 
town.  The  treasurer  of  each  town  shall  annually  make  a  written 
report  to  the  town,  at  its  annual  meeting,  of  the  condition  of  the  fund 
of  the  town,  and  the  changes  of  investment  during  the  then  preced- 
ing year.  The  selectmen  and  water  commissioners  shall  jointly,  as 


APPENDIX. 

often  as  once  in  each  year,  examine  the  accounts  and  securities  of  the 
fund,  and  shall  report  the  result  of  their  examination  to  the  town, 
in  connection  with  the  report  of  the  treasurer. 

SECT.  13.  It  is  hereby  provided  that  if  in  the  future  the  supply 
of  water  shall  prove  insufficient  for  more  than  one  town,  for  domestic 
purposes,  the  town  of  Wakefield  shall  be  first  supplied. 

SECT.  14.  Nothing  in  this  Act  shall  be  construed  to  preclude  the 
right  of  the  town  of  Reading  to  take  water  from  either  or  both  of  said 
lakes,  whenever  so  authorized  by  the  Legislature. 

SECT.  15.  This  Act  shall  take  effect  upon  its  passage.  [Approved 
May  4,  1872.] 


THE    END. 


OS.    HORACE  G.   WADHN. 

Orator  of  the  I 


REGT..    M.    v.    .v  t 

Chief  Marshal  of  Wakefield 


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